Beyond Borders: How IMS25 is Turning Riyadh into the Beating Heart of Global Events

A Defining Day in Saudi Arabia’s Event Industry

‎RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Today felt like a turning point. The International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) opened its doors in Riyadh, welcoming more than 3,000 participants from across the world. The atmosphere was electric, charged with fresh ideas and bold announcements that signal Saudi Arabia’s fast rise in the international business events industry.  

Moreover, the summit unveiled **20 major announcements**, each acting like a spark in a growing flame. Among these, six global exhibition and event powerhouses – Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, MCH Group, Oak View Group, Comexposium, and Honegger – revealed strategies to open offices or launch operations in the Kingdom. This isn’t just corporate expansion; it’s a stamp of confidence in Saudi Arabia’s transformation, signalling that Riyadh is ready to command the global stage as a hub for **Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE)**.  

A Surge of Global Collaborations

Transitioning from announcements to industry impact, the developments at IMS25 paint a vision of the Kingdom’s future. **Messe Munich** proudly revealed that the world-renowned *BAUMA* trade fair will arrive in Saudi Arabia, bringing unmatched focus on construction and heavy-machinery innovation. Soon after, **RX Global** announced *MIPIM Arabia*, set to become the epicentre for global real estate and investment exchanges in the region.  

Furthermore, new partnerships with GL Events, Clarion, DMG Events, and Koelnmesse solidify Saudi Arabia’s momentum. These collaborations not only elevate the nation’s infrastructure but also contribute directly to its ambitious **Vision 2030**, empowering local talent and connecting Saudi expertise with global networks. His Excellency Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed summed it up best: the Kingdom’s business events industry is now “a powerful driver of economic transformation and global connectivity” 

Infrastructure Growth That’s Breaking Records

The growth story doesn’t end with event announcements. The SCEGA’s *2025 Saudi Venue Infrastructure Report* revealed astonishing figures – a **32% capacity increase in one year** across 923 accredited venues. Exhibition spaces have expanded by an impressive **320%** since 2018, reaching a new total of 300,520 sqm.  

Major venues such as the Riyadh Exhibition & Conference Center, Jeddah Superdome, and Dhahran Expo Center dominate the landscape, but the expansion isn’t confined to urban giants. Fresh event centers in Madinah, AlUla, Asir, and Najran ensure that even less urban regions join the MICE revolution. Coupled with projects like the $2.9 billion Jaydana Waterfront in Jizan City, the Kingdom’s events infrastructure is quickly becoming a global benchmark.  

Looking Ahead with IMS25

As IMS25 continues, delegates can expect sessions on investment strategies, innovation clusters, and leadership development through the *Future MICE Leaders Platform*. The gala dinner will cap off the summit, celebrating global excellence in events and exhibitions, and leaving attendees inspired to make the next big move.  

Saudi Arabia’s journey is no longer one of potential—it is momentum in action. And with Riyadh spearheading this transformation, the world is watching as the Kingdom establishes its rightful place among the great convening hubs of the globe. 

MWC25 Doha: Where Technology, Vision, and Innovation Converge

The countdown has begun, and excitement pulses through Qatar’s tech and innovation community. **MWC25 Doha**, organized by the GSMA in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), is making its final preparations.  Scheduled for **November 25–26, 2025** at the iconic **Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC)**, the inaugural edition will unfold under the esteemed patronage of **His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani**, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. This monumental event is poised to redefine conversations around technology and digital policy, not just in the region — but globally.

A Global Stage for Transformative Dialogue

From the very outset, MWC25 Doha has positioned itself as a premier forum for **strengthening Doha’s role as a global hub** in tech diplomacy and innovation. With over **200 global speakers** — 75% arriving from international hubs outside Qatar — decision-makers, tech leaders, and visionary entrepreneurs will share their expertise through discussions on **telecommunications, AI, emerging tech sectors, and future economies**.

Seamless coordination between national and international entities is making this event a landmark opportunity. Notably, **Qatar University** will step into history as the *first-ever Education Partner* for any MWC event, anchoring the program in academic excellence while ensuring that knowledge exchange reaches diverse audiences.  

MCIT will engage in **seven open discussion sessions** and **four private roundtables**, further complemented by live showcases from startups nurtured by the **Digital Incubation Center**, **TASMU Accelerator**, and the **Scale Now program**. Through these dynamic platforms, fresh ideas will meet global exposure, strengthening Qatar’s innovative ecosystem.

Innovation on Display: From Pavilion Wonders to VR Thrills

One of the highlights will be the **Qatar Pavilion**, an interactive showcase of **32 unique national initiatives** in AI, digital transformation, and public-sector innovation. With participation from heavyweight organizations — including the Ministry of Transport, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and Invest Qatar — this space promises to immerse visitors in the cutting-edge strides of the **Digital Agenda 2030**.

Adding to the spectacle, the GSMA Pavilion will feature exhilarating **VR experiences** in collaboration with Khalifa University. Imagine remotely driving a car across the desert using advanced API technology or racing the Doha Lusail Circuit in simulators that replicate F1 driver times ahead of the **Qatar Grand Prix**. This fusion of creativity and tech interaction will make MWC25 Doha more than a conference — it will be a playground of ideas and possibilities.

Forging the Future Through Collaboration

Beyond the exhibitions and thrill-seeking experiences, MWC25 Doha will host the prestigious **GSMA Ministerial Programme**. Nearly **50 official delegations**, inclusive of ministers, regulatory heads, and global organization representatives, will gather to tackle urgent global tech challenges. Moreover, **strategic partnerships** and landmark agreements between governments, private organizations, and global tech giants are expected to emerge, igniting momentum in digital transformation.

With **50 thought leadership sessions**, four national pavilions (Qatar, Palestine, Turkey, Korea), and over **40 Qatari startups** showcasing brilliance, MWC25 Doha is not merely an event — it’s a visionary bridge linking innovation, policy, and international collaboration. 

As the days tick down to **November 25, 2025**, one thing is clear: MWC25 Doha will leave an indelible mark on Qatar’s technological journey. Under the grand vision of the Digital Agenda 2030, it’s shaping the future toward a competitive, sustainable, and integrated digital society — one dialogue, one breakthrough, and one collaboration at a time.  

The Digital Pivot: How Land Sterling and Yardi Are Redefining Saudi Real Estate

A Strategic Union for Modern Markets

Land Sterling and Yardi have announced a strategic alliance that signals a decisive shift toward digital-first property management in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, this partnership demonstrates how technology can streamline operations, enhance transparency, and deliver faster, real-time insights. As a result, stakeholders will gain better tools for making smarter investment decisions.

Furthermore, the collaboration aligns with broader national ambitions. Consequently, it supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable growth, modernisation, and the adoption of innovative technologies across the real estate ecosystem. In short, the agreement offers a clear blueprint for future-ready asset management.

‎

‎RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, - Land Sterling, a leading property management and advisory company, and Yardi®, a global provider of cloud-based real estate technology, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing digital transformation and elevating service delivery within Saudi Arabia's real estate market.

Under the MOU, Land Sterling will utilise Yardi's end-to-end, cloud-based real estate platform as part of its operational framework. The agreement formalises a shared commitment to enhancing efficiency, improving data transparency, and providing clients with deeper, real-time insights to support strategic decision-making.

This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, supporting the Kingdom's drive toward sustainable growth, modernisation, and the adoption of innovative technologies across the real estate ecosystem.

"Saudi Arabia's real estate market is evolving rapidly, and strategic technology partnerships are essential to meet the evolving needs of investors and stakeholders," said Youcef Betraoui, founder & chairman of Land Sterling. "Partnering with Yardi enables us to offer our clients a seamless experience, combining our expertise with innovative tools that support smarter asset management and investment strategies."

"We're excited to partner with Land Sterling," said Neal Gemassmer, vice president & GM for Yardi. "Through the integration of our platform, Land Sterling will be positioned to drive greater operational efficiency and transparency, supporting the growth and modernisation of Saudi Arabia's real estate sector."

See how Yardi can help support your real estate growth with an end-to-end solution.

‎

Impact on Investors and Operators

Investors will notice improved data clarity and responsiveness, enabling more confident portfolio decisions. Additionally, property operators will benefit from streamlined workflows and reduced manual overhead, which in turn lowers operating costs and improves tenant satisfaction.

Finally, because the platform offers end-to-end capabilities, organisations can scale more effectively and adapt to market changes faster. Therefore, this partnership not only modernises processes but also sets a higher standard for service delivery across Saudi Arabia’s real estate landscape.