Interview |
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consideration for international organisers, exhibitors and corporate participants.
The challenge extends beyond Saudi Arabia, insurers often assess geopolitical risk across a wider region, which can add requirements or uncertainty for organisations planning to attend.
More dialogue between governments, insurers, organisers and industry bodies would help, particularly destination-specific risk assessments that reflect the actual operating environment rather than a broad regional label. Ultimately, confidence comes down to transparency and access to reliable information.
How effectively has Saudi Arabia ' s business-events ecosystem – venues, suppliers, and government agencies – handled this disruption? One of the real strengths of Saudi Arabia’ s business-events sector is how well-coordinated the ecosystem has become, venues, suppliers and organisers all understand what international events require: reliability, responsiveness and clear communication.
That groundwork matters most during periods of uncertainty. The infrastructure and expertise built up in Saudi Arabia over recent years give us a strong foundation to keep an active calendar of exhibitions and conferences moving, even when circumstances shift.
What discussions are you having with bodies like the Saudi Tourism Authority and SECA( Saudi Exhibition & Convention Association) to reassure international markets and protect future event bids? Maintaining international confidence takes co-operation across the whole ecosystem.
Industry dialogue is increasingly focused on making sure
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organisers get clear, consistent information about Saudi Arabia, its infrastructure, connectivity and operating environment.
When organisers evaluate a destination, they’ re not just weighing the venue or the commercial proposal. They’ re looking at readiness, accessibility and how well the local ecosystem responds when the unexpected happens.
Continued collaboration between organisers, industry bodies and government entities is what strengthens Saudi Arabia’ s long-term position as a destination for major business events.
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How has this situation changed your approach to risk management, and could this ultimately strengthen the region ' s event resilience? Risk management now sits at the centre of event planning, not on the sidelines. |
Top left: 1st Arabia exhibition
Middle left: 1st Arabia Najran signing
Bottom left: 1st Arabia Biofach
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Organisers have to think through multiple scenarios, travel, logistics, suppliers, communications, operational continuity— and we’ re putting more weight on early decision-making and having alternatives ready.
Disruption also teaches the industry something. It pushes organisers, venues and suppliers to sharpen their processes and become more adaptable.
Longer term, that builds a stronger, more resilient industry, one ready not just for geopolitical shifts, but for logistical, economic, technological or environmental challenges too.
What reality on the ground do international organisers need to understand right now if they are considering bringing a major event to Riyadh over the next 12 – 24 months? The key message: decisions about Riyadh should be based on the reality on the ground, current information and direct conversations with experienced local partners, not on perceptions shaped by regional headlines.
Riyadh continues to grow as a major business-events destination, backed by ongoing investment in infrastructure and the wider ecosystem.
At the same time, responsible planning means acknowledging the regional environment, watching developments closely, and building flexibility into event strategy from the start.
For organisers weighing Riyadh over the next 12 to 24 months: engage with local partners early. Ask the hard questions, understand the operating environment, build contingency plans, and decide based on current, destination-specific facts, not headlines.
Saudi Arabia’ s business-events industry has come a long way. The next chapter isn’ t just about growth, it ' s about proving resilience, professionalism, and the ability to deliver world-class events in an increasingly complex global environment. EW
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www. exhibitionworld. co. uk |
Issue 5 2026 41 |