Interview
It brings global expertise, fresh perspectives, and increased investment.
For local players like 1st Arabia, this creates both competition and opportunity. Local expertise in regulations, cultural understanding, government engagement, and onground execution remains a significant advantage – especially when combined with global partnerships.
We view this influx not as a threat, but as a catalyst that raises industry standards and strengthens the overall ecosystem.
Organisers are prioritising events that deliver tangible business results rather than just brand visibility. They are also more selective in choosing partners and market entry strategies.
This reflects a broader trend toward professionalism, where stakeholders seek meaningful engagement, insights, and long-term value beyond traditional exhibition formats.
EW: With a growing number of new shows launching across the region, do you believe the market is heading toward healthy expansion or potential oversaturation? The market continues to grow, but its long-term sustainability will depend on differentiation and relevance.
Sector-focused exhibitions, particularly in technology, healthcare, construction, and digital infrastructure, are performing strongly due to clear industry demand. In contrast, generic events without a distinct value proposition may face challenges.
Overall, the expansion remains healthy, with success increasingly driven by purpose, specialisation, and curated audiences.
EW: Which industry sectors or verticals are demonstrating the greatest appetite for exhibitions in the Middle East at the moment, and where do you see the most untapped opportunity? Several sectors are showing strong demand, including construction and industrial exhibitions driven by infrastructure growth, technology and digital transformation, healthcare and life sciences, and hospitality and tourism.
At the same time, emerging opportunities are developing in creative industries, sustainability, and niche technology areas such as AI and cloud infrastructure.
These segments represent highpotential opportunities for exhibitions that connect global innovation with regional demand.
EW: How is 1st Arabia positioning itself to stay ahead of regional growth, and what are your strategic priorities? At 1st Arabia, our ambition goes beyond growth – we aim to contribute to shaping the market’ s long-term credibility and global positioning.
Our strategy is focused on leadership through relevance and excellence. Key priorities include sector specialisation, strong international collaborations, operational excellence, and alignment with national economic goals.
EW: How many major events / exhibitions have been cancelled or postponed due to the Iran conflict? So far, the impact has been limited but noticeable. A few major events in the region have been postponed as a precaution, while others are being reviewed depending on how the situation develops. It is important to highlight that most events are not cancelled, but rescheduled, which shows that the industry is still active and moving forward despite the challenges.
EW: How have you been able to help organisers or exhibitors in this situation? Our role has been to support both organisers and exhibitors in a practical and flexible way.
We understand that with confirmed bookings, shipments already in progress, and services underway, any postponement or cancellation can create serious challenges. These include logistical delays, additional costs, and operational pressure for all parties involved. To manage this, we are focusing on:
• Providing flexible solutions for dates, services, and contracts
• Supporting logistics adjustments, including storage and rescheduling shipments
• Keeping clear and regular communication with all stakeholders
• Helping redirect activities into more stable markets when possible Our main priority is to reduce disruption and ensure business continuity.
EW: What is the likely effect on your hard-won reputation for stability in this market? We believe the overall reputation of the market, especially in Saudi Arabia, will remain strong and stable.
Of course, situations like this bring short-term uncertainty. However, they also show how prepared and resilient the industry is. Saudi Arabia continues to offer a safe and well-organised environment for events.
We see this as a chance to build more trust with our partners by showing that we can handle challenges, adapt quickly, and continue delivering high-quality events.
It is important for all stakeholders to recognise the risks and work together to minimise the impact.
Our priority remains the safety of all participants and the continuity of operations. We are closely monitoring developments and will continue to keep all stakeholders informed as the situation evolves. EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 2 2026 49