- More than 3,000 world leaders from 76 countries attended IMS25, exceeding expectations and marking the largest edition of the summit to date.
- IMS25 delivered a major wave of investment announcements, revealing 20 commercial deals and memorandums of understanding involving companies with combined global revenues exceeding $9 billion.
- More than 90 speakers and moderators from 21 countries delivered 22 plenary sessions and 4 workshops, highlighting the summit’s role as a global platform for industry thought leadership.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) concluded today in Riyadh after two days of high-level discussions, strategic announcements and global collaboration, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as the world’s fastest-growing hub for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Organized by the Saudi General Authority for Conventions and Exhibitions (SCEGA), the summit attracted more than 3,000 participants, far exceeding expectations. Government officials, global CEOs, business leaders, creative industry innovators and tourism experts came together to explore the future of international gatherings and the growing role of business events in economic and social transformation under Vision 2030.
Over the course of two days, IMS25 delivered a significant wave of investment announcements, revealing 20 commercial deals and memorandums of understanding involving companies with combined global revenues exceeding $9 billion.
The event brought together over 90 speakers and moderators from the world’s leading companies in the MICE sector, contributing to the over 10,000 global thought leaders and experts who have participated as speakers at events across the Kingdom to date.
Speakers at IMS included an exceptional line-up of global thought leaders who examined the future of the events industry, sustainable venue design, innovation, talent development and the role of MICE in global economic progress. They included some of the kingdom’s most influential voices in the industry, including:
- HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saudpresident of the Saudi Esports Federation, who highlighted the growing influence of esports mega-events;
- Fahd HamidaddinCEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority;
- Although KattanDeputy Minister of National Partnerships and Development at the Ministry of Culture;
- Mohammed Ahmed Al Robayan, Deputy Minister of Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology;
- Khalid Alkhattaf, CEO, Saudi Investment, Promotion Agency (SIPA).
They were joined by senior executives from Messe Frankfurt, MCH Group, Compexposium, Honegger, Terrapinn, RX Global, OVG, Messe München, Koelnmesse, Clarion Events, GL Events, UFI, ICCA, dmg events, Sela, AIPC, FT Live, World Football Summit and other major international organizers, reflecting the impact and global reach of the summit.
IMS25 has successfully accelerated the Kingdom’s global integration into the events sector through a wave of new partnerships and investments. Six major international organizers – Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, MCH Group, Oak View Group (OVG), Comexposium and Honegger – have announced plans to enter the Saudi market through a series of new initiatives and the opening of offices in Riyadh, a sign of growing confidence in Saudi Arabia’s rise as a world-class gathering hub. Richard Attias & Associates (RAA) also announced its intention to list on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in 2026, further strengthening its commitment to the Kingdom.
The summit also introduced the launch of major new events, including BAUMA Saudi Arabia from Messe München and MIPIM Arabia from RX Global, complemented by expanded partnerships with GL Events, Clarion, dmg events and Koelnmesse. Further momentum came from six government MoUs covering national development, water management, social research and disability inclusion, as well as plans to create a large multi-purpose convention center in Jizan as part of the $2.9 billion Jaydana Waterfront project.
Reflecting on the summit’s conclusion, Hatim Alkahily, CEO of SCEGA, said: “By bringing together more than 3,000 of the world’s leading thinkers and industry leaders, IMS25 has catalyzed new, high-value partnerships between global players and highlighted the depth of expertise that drives Saudi Arabia’s business events sector. Saudi Arabia’s position as host to the world in a new global era of events. »
The summit concluded with foresight sessions on sustainability, innovation hubs, next-generation venue development and a gala recognizing excellence in the global events industry.
SOURCE Saudi General Authority for Conventions and Exhibitions (SCEGA)
