Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Six leading international exhibition and events companies announced major expansions into Saudi Arabia as the International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) opened on Wednesday in Riyadh.

Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, MCH Group, and Oak View Group confirmed plans to open new offices in the Kingdom, while Comexposium and Honegger will formally enter the Saudi market in 2026, underscoring the Kingdom’s rising status as a global MICE hub.

The summit brought together more than 3,000 participants and featured 20 major announcements, ranging from new global event launches to significant infrastructure investments.

Among the headline launches, Messe Munich unveiled BAUMA Saudi Arabia, set to bring the world’s largest construction and heavy-machinery exhibition to the region. RX Global announced MIPIM Arabia, expanding one of the world’s top real estate and investment gatherings into one of the fastest-growing property markets.

New partnerships were also revealed with GL Events, Clarion, DMG Events, and Koelnmesse, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a destination for world-class events.

Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed, SCEGA Chairman, said the developments highlight the sector’s growing contribution to economic diversification and global connectivity under Vision 2030.

Six MoUs were signed with government entities to advance events infrastructure, including a major multipurpose convention center in Jizan City as part of the $2.9 billion Jaydana Waterfront project.

SCEGA also released the 2025 Saudi Venue Infrastructure Report, showing a 32% increase in capacity across 923 accredited venues and a 320% surge in exhibition space since 2018. Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province lead in capacity, while Madinah, AlUla, Asir, and Najran continue to expand.

IMS25 continues Thursday with sessions on investment, innovation, and talent development in the MICE sector.