How Exhibitions and Large-Scale Events Are Powering Economic Growth Across the Middle East
Middle East is the region that has come to realize that the hosting of exhibitions and large-scale events is no longer just for networking or bringing together people and products. They are gradually becoming the main pillar of the regional economic strategy. Both government and private sector leaders regard them as means for the advancement of society through the creation of investments, jobs, and competition among global players that they can put up with.
For a long period, the trade shows and fairs were regarded as places where companies first and foremost gained visibility or made contacts. However, now those same events are considered as a major part of development all around the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider Middle East regions. They are influencing the decisions of where to invest, helping to form alliances, and attracting the attention of the world to the cities hence promoting them.
Among others, the future of the Saudi Arabia market is bright and full of competition. One of the interesting things about the whole thing is that it is the Saudi Arabia government that has continued to lead this transformation. The kingdom has made a miraculous transformation in the area of exhibition and conference infrastructure through its Vision 2030 plan which is characterized by good planning, and investing heavily in infrastructure that has a potential for business use.
Part of that expansion has the national objectives in mind as well. One of the economic targets is to increase the contribution of the arts and culture sector to the national GDP from the current less than 1% to about 3% by 2030. This sector will be on par with the major industries and the authorities’ consideration of the events as a part of the economic development will be reflected in their planning.
To develop the sector more strategically, the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) has created an annual, season-long calendar of major international events running from October through May. This schedule clusters high-impact gatherings such as investments forums, business expos, and cultural showcases, making it easier for global partners to plan participation and for local firms to tap into new opportunities.
The transformation is not just about buildings. Saudi Arabia now hosts more than 200 major international conferences and exhibitions each year, ranking it among the fastest-growing events markets in the G20.
Investment in people is equally important. Saudi professionals now account for nearly 20 percent of global Certified in Exhibition Management certificate holders, one of the highest ratios in the world. That reflects a deliberate focus on training local talent to drive this expanding sector, rather than relying solely on outside expertise.
The economic effects go far beyond event halls. At recent summits, agreements and memorandums of understanding signed in just a single day involved companies with more than $9 billion in combined revenue, showing how exhibitions can accelerate real business outcomes.
Local industry leaders see events as engines that pull entire ecosystems forward. Exhibitions draw visitors, fill hotels, boost restaurants and transport services, and spotlight small and medium-size enterprises. They also help foster international trust because face-to-face meetings and visible scale create confidence among global partners.
Urban planning is changing too. Cities are now designing infrastructure with events in mind, integrating smart mobility, digital access, and flexible space that work year-round rather than just for occasional activities.
Other Middle Eastern nations are beginning to follow suit. Regional hubs such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are investing in design-led exhibitions and cultural showcases that attract cross-border collaboration and tourism.
What this means is clear. Exhibitions and events have become strategic economic assets. They support tourism, jobs, investment, and innovation. They help cities and nations tell their stories to the world. And they are reshaping the way the Middle East grows, competes, and connects with global markets.
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