#MICE Summit #Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Event Industry

Transformative Changes Announced at International MICE Summit

The first International MICE Summit (IMS24) kicked off with significant momentum, unveiling 19 pivotal announcements designed to bolster the event industry within Saudi Arabia. This landmark event gathered over 1,000 global event leaders from more than 70 countries, all focused on shaping the future of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

During its opening day in Riyadh, three of the world's top professional exhibition organizations—RX Global, Messe Munich, and Clarion—revealed their plans to establish offices in Saudi Arabia, marking a substantial step forward in the country’s event planning landscape. These organizations are committing to huge growth in the kingdom's event management sector over the coming decade.

Among the highlights were the announcements regarding 12 new major events set to launch in 2025. These include prominent gatherings such as Money20/20 by Informa/Tahaluf, FIBO by RX Global, and the World Refining Technology Congress. Other notable events include the Advanced Therapies Week, Saudi Muscle Show, Fire Department and Emergency Services Conference, and the International Hardware Show, each aiming to fill significant niches within various professional fields.

His Excellency Fahd Al Rasheed, the Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), expressed optimism at the summit, stating, “The first day of the International MICE Summit has been a tremendous success. Three of the top ten organizers of professional events have launched offices in Saudi Arabia, and numerous agreements have been signed to advance the sector.”

Al Rasheed emphasized the importance of the event industry as a driving force for transformation, stating it connects people with opportunity in line with Vision 2030 goals. The IMS24 not only aims to generate investment prospects but also seeks to forge new partnerships across various sectors of the Saudi economy.

In conjunction with the establishment of new offices and events, four memorandums of understanding were signed between key authorities including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the National Events Center. These agreements aim to streamline future collaborations and enhance event offerings in the kingdom.

Among the distinguished attendees were Saudi tourism authorities, former prime ministers and ministers from the UK, Italy, Bulgaria, and Greece, alongside leaders from global exhibition organizations and frameworks. The summit serves as a platform for discussing innovation, networking, and advancing sustainability practices that will shape the future of the MICE industry globally.

The IMS24 continues today, addressing crucial topics surrounding investment in the MICE sector, the design of future event venues, and solutions to meet global sustainability challenges.

About the International MICE Summit

The International MICE Summit (IMS) is a premier event convening world leaders from the MICE sector, alongside professionals and organizations from diverse industries. It offers a significant platform for understanding industry dynamics, fostering networking opportunities, and discussing advancements in innovation, knowledge sharing, and sustainability.

Key Partners

Key partners of this event include Eye of Riyadh, OAK View Group, and multiple leading organizations involved in Saudi Arabia's MICE development efforts. For more information or to register for IMS24, visit internationalmicesummit.com.

Final Thoughts

As the summit unfolds, it holds the potential to reshape Saudi Arabia’s positioning on the global MICE stage, making it an attractive destination for various exhibitions and conferences. With a robust lineup of events set to launch in the near future, the future of Saudi Arabia’s event industry indeed looks promising.