The Saudi Entertainment and Amusements Expo (SEA), the Middle East’s largest gathering of leisure and entertainment professionals, has revealed the headline topics for its sixth edition which is taking place from 7 to 9 May in Riyadh.
The 2024 SEA Expo from dmg events will discuss key trends in the entertainment sector, including crypto tech, worldwide investment strategies, and the potential to empower the Saudi workforce through technical knowledge.
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Investment, tech & employment
The event will be held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre. It aims to highlight innovation, bring together international experts and industry leaders, and reveal groundbreaking industry trends for the coming year.
These key trends for 2024 were determined by industry professionals at a recent advisory board meeting in Riyadh and will inform the SEA Expo’s schedule. They include the adoption of green entertainment, crypto tech, empowering the Saudi workforce, the next-generation market, and an investigation into international investment strategies.
Financial trends include a need to encourage international business in Saudi Arabia and to leverage profitable industry prospects. In addition, the retention and development of next-generation talent is a priority. By 2030, the sector has the potential to generate over $23bn, 3% of the Kingdom’s GDP, and create 100,000 jobs.
Nizar Fakhoury, executive director, destination development at the Royal Commission for AlUla, comments that there are many opportunities in the Kingdom, and the government is committed to attracting top talent from around the world to fulfil its vision.
The 2024 SEA Expo advisory board includes renowned leaders in the entertainment sector including, Alwalid Albaltan, CEO, Rafeeh Entertainment Group; Don Potts, president, parks and attractions, Qiddiya Investment Company; Doug Stagner, executive director, attractions, Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN); Hind Galadari, deputy general manager, Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi; and Majed Al Ghanim, managing director, Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia.
Stagner says: “What’s happening in Saudi Arabia has never been done before in the attractions industry. There are groundbreaking attractions and rides that have never been built before, and there are new concepts and ideas that will come out of Saudi Arabia, including discussions at this year’s Expo which will end up in other parts of the world, so what’s happening here has a much larger impact that extends beyond the borders of Saudi Arabia.”
Vision 2030
This year’s SEA Expo, which is co-located with the Saudi Light and Sound (SLS) Expo, intends to draw attention to the Kingdom’s plans for entertainment and leisure and generate business opportunities that would help the nation move closer to attaining its objectives under Vision 2030.
With over 350 exhibitors, SEA Expo will serve as a platform for showcasing new and inventive products from hundreds of international and local companies from over 40 countries. Furthermore, leading experts from the public and private sectors in the nation will meet at the SEA Summit to discuss industry concerns, highlight current trends, and forecast and analyse future developments.
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry will take the spotlight during the SEA Expo 2024, setting the standard for future international tourist destinations and recreational activities.
