dmg events Opens for Business in Saudi Arabia

July 10, 2018

After being granted a Saudi investment license by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) earlier this year, dmg events has established a new office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia designed to serve as a base for the company’s events throughout the Kingdom.

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.

Matt Denton

“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 said. “We are very grateful for their assistance.”

He added, “With their continued help we can support the country’s pursuit of the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030 by bringing industries and industry leaders together at our events.”

Known as a leading organizer of face-to-face events and a publisher of trade magazines, dmg events organizes more than 80 events across 25 countries that more than 350,000 attendees and delegates every year. 

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, dmg’s portfolio of products includes many top industry events including the Big 5 construction shows and the ADIPEC and GASTECH energy events. 

 

Don’t miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE & engage with us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn & Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.