Saudi Arabia Unveils Major Global Investments as IMS25 Opens in Riyadh

The International MICE Summit 2025 opened in Riyadh with landmark announcements, including 20 new agreements, the arrival of six global exhibition giants, and record-setting sector growth, as more than 3,000 industry leaders gathered to mark a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding MICE landscape.

The International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) opened today in Riyadh, drawing more than 3,000 participants and delivering 20 major announcements that signal a new phase for Saudi Arabia’s business events industry. The updates ranged from the arrival of global exhibition companies to new international event launches and significant infrastructure expansion, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing stature in the global MICE sector.

Among the key developments, Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, MCH Group, and Oak View Group confirmed plans to open offices in Saudi Arabia, while Comexposium and Honegger announced they will enter the market in 2026. These companies—major players in the exhibitions and event management industries—are expanding into the Kingdom amid rising international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s transformation and its emergence as a major regional and global events hub.

The summit also brought major new event launches. Messe Munich introduced BAUMA Saudi Arabia, which will bring the world’s largest construction and heavy machinery trade fair to the region, aligning with the Kingdom’s rapid infrastructure development. RX Global announced MIPIM Arabia, a new edition of the globally recognized real estate and investment event, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s accelerating real estate market. Additional partnerships with GL Events, Clarion, DMG Events, and Koelnmesse further bolstered the nation’s event portfolio.
 

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The scale and diversity of today’s announcements show how Saudi Arabia’s business events industry has become a powerful driver of economic transformation and global connectivity,” said His Excellency Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed, Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA).

“The partnerships delivered through the International MICE Summit will strengthen the Kingdom’s infrastructure, empower Saudi talent, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for international collaboration, in support of Vision 2030.”

Six MoUs were signed with government and institutional partners—including the Ministry of Interior, the Hail Region Development Authority, and the Saudi Water Authority—to support long-term sector growth. Among the planned projects is a multipurpose convention center in Jizan City, part of the wider Jaydana Waterfront development valued at $2.9 billion.

SCEGA also released the 2025 Saudi Venue Infrastructure Report, which points to record expansion in the Kingdom’s business events capacity. Accredited venues increased to 923, representing 32% year-on-year growth. Exhibition space has risen 320% since 2018 to reach 300,520 sqm, driven by sustained investment linked to Vision 2030. Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province host most of the capacity, anchored by major venues such as the Riyadh Exhibition & Conference Center, Jeddah Superdome, and Dhahran Expo Center. New facilities in Madinah, AlUla, Asir, and Najran are also strengthening the national events network.

IMS25 continues on Thursday with sessions on MICE investment, innovation clusters, the Future MICE Leaders Platform, and a gala dinner recognizing excellence in the global events industry.
 

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