This expansion will open the door for dmg events operating in both Riyadh and Jeddah.

Initial priorities for the international events company will include a focus on its core construction, hospitality and design brands, including The Big 5, The Hotel Show and INDEX.

Editions of Stone & Surface Saudi Arabia; FM Expo; Saudi Clean Expo and HVAC-R Expo are already underway and the launch of Saudi Entertainment and Amusement is also planned. 

According to dmg officials, the combination of core events and potential future launches will enable the company to expand into sectors that are expected to grow as Saudi Arabia fulfills its Vision 2030 plan. The Kingdom’s 2018 budget was the largest in its history and set aside $14.4bn for infrastructure – funding that will go toward roads, ports, railways, airports, housing and IT.

“These ambitious plans clearly show why Saudi Arabia is an important market for our business,” said Matt Denton, president of dmg events – Middle East, Asia & Africa. 

He continued, “Establishing our own permanent presence in the country will enable us to build on the relationships we have worked hard to develop over the last six years of working with local partners. It also means we will be well placed to serve our customers better by being on the ground to understand market needs and nurture relationships.”

The support of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the Riyadh Exhibition Centre (RICEC) and in particular, the Saudi Exhibitions and Convention Bureau (SECB), has been instrumental in enabling this move by dmg events, Denton added. 

The SECB has provided both market intelligence and streamlined processes that make applying for event licenses easier, changes that have been paired with improved ease of access to entry visas, helping to attract more attendees to events in Saudi Arabia.

“The support we receive from our partners is vital to our success and the growth of our industry in Saudi Arabia,” Denton s