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ou’ ve been at the
Y forefront of Saudi Arabia’ s exhibitions and events industry for over two decades. How would you describe the most significant changes you’ ve witnessed during this transformation? Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia’ s exhibitions and events industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. From a market with limited venues and small-scale events, we have evolved into a regional and global powerhouse, hosting large-scale trade shows and conferences that attract international participation. The most significant changes include the government’ s strong commitment to the MICE sector under Vision 2030, the development of world-class venues, and increased international collaborations. The rise of digital innovation, hybrid event formats, and a focus on sustainability have further propelled the industry’ s growth, making Saudi Arabia a key player on the global events map. How is 1st Arabia Tradeshows & Conferences specifically aligning its initiatives with Saudi Vision 2030’ s objectives? 1st Arabia is fully committed to Saudi Vision 2030’ s goals of economic diversification, foreign investment, and tourism growth. We achieve this by organising high-impact events in key sectors such as healthcare, energy, defence, and technology – industries that are central to the Kingdom’ s future growth. Our trade shows and
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conferences provide a platform for local and international businesses to explore partnerships, attract investments, and foster knowledge exchange. Additionally, we focus on talent development by providing opportunities for Saudi professionals and entrepreneurs to engage with global industry leaders.
Exhibitions serve as catalysts for business matchmaking. Can you share some concrete examples of successful partnerships or investments that originated at your events? At one of our defence exhibitions, a Saudi company secured a multimillion-dollar joint venture with an international defence manufacturer leading to technology transfer and job creation. Similarly, our healthcare events have facilitated partnerships between global medical suppliers and Saudi hospitals, ensuring access to cutting-edge medical technologies. These success stories highlight how our events serve as a bridge between Saudi businesses and global investors.
What advantages does the Kingdom offer over established event destinations in the region and globally? Saudi Arabia holds a unique advantage due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it an ideal meeting point for global businesses. Additionally, the Kingdom offers a rapidly expanding infrastructure, including state-of-the-art venues like
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“ Strong government backing, economic incentives and a dynamic business environment enhance Saudi Arabia’ s appeal for events. It is also an untapped market.” |
How are you measuring the economic impact of your events in terms of contribution to GDP growth, job creation, and foreign direct investment? We track the economic impact of our events through various key performance indicators, including total business transactions, the number of partnerships formed, and the volume of foreign direct investment( FDI) facilitated. Additionally, we measure job creation – both direct and indirect – through employment opportunities generated in event planning, logistics, and tourism. Post-event surveys and economic studies also help us assess how our exhibitions contribute to Saudi Arabia’ s GDP growth by driving sectoral development and increasing international business activity in the Kingdom.
What sustainability practices has 1st Arabia adopted to ensure that your events align with global environmental standards? Sustainability is a core focus at 1st Arabia. We incorporate eco-friendly practices such as digital ticketing, paperless registration, and energyefficient event set-ups to minimise our environmental footprint. We encourage recycling and the use of sustainable materials in booths and signage. Additionally, we collaborate with venues that implement green building standards and work with vendors who align with our commitment to sustainability.
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