Catch all the action from the Gulf Business Saudi Summit in Riyadh

The first-ever Gulf Business Saudi Business and Investment Summit, held on 3 September, took place at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.

Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation under Vision 2030 took centre stage at the first-ever Gulf Business Saudi Business and Investment Summit, held on 3 September at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.

The event brought together influential leaders from government, business, and international organisations to explore how the kingdom is translating its bold vision into tangible results.

Over 130 attendees listened to discussions focused on innovation, regulatory reform, public–private collaboration and investment sectors driving diversification and sustainable growth.

You can watch the full video here:

Setting the tone: Opening remarks

The morning opened with a welcome address from Manish Chopra, publisher of Gulf Business, who highlighted the significance of the summit taking place at a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s economic journey.

“It’s exciting to bring our platform here at such a transformative time, as the kingdom fast-tracks its development under Vision 2030,” said Chopra. “We hope today’s discussions will inspire and inform, showcasing the opportunities shaping the kingdom’s future.”

Gareth van Zyl, group editor of Gulf Business, followed with a speech underlining the pace of Saudi Arabia’s change.

“Saudi Arabia is on the move,” van Zyl said.

“From mega-projects like the Riyadh Metro to the upcoming Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom is transforming at an extraordinary speed. The Saudi story is growing, getting bigger and more exciting by the day.”

He added: “With our summit today, we’re bringing together diverse voices to tell the story of this transformation and to explore the practical pathways for companies looking to enter or expand in this dynamic market.”

Keynote: Saudi’s events sector powers ahead

The first keynote of the day was delivered by Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, who revealed staggering growth figures for the Kingdom’s events sector.

Champion outlined how Tahaluf — joint venture partnership between Informa, the world’s largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund (EIF) — had helped create world-leading events like LEAP, Black Hat MEA, and Cityscape Global.

“In just three years, our events have generated $17.6bn of economic impact for Saudi Arabia — a bigger contribution than the Qatar FIFA World Cup,” he said.

“More than 100,000 international visitors will fly in for our events this year, creating powerful soft power for the Kingdom and positioning Saudi Arabia as a serious global business hub.”

Champion highlighted the unique public–private collaboration that enabled this rapid growth.

“The only way to grow at this scale is to align closely with government partners and create a marketplace where global companies know they’ll meet the complete tapestry of buyers here in the Kingdom.”

He also shared the company’s extraordinary trajectory.

“In 2022, we had a footprint of just 100,000 square metres for our events. By the end of 2025, we’ll reach 700,000 square metres — the equivalent of 17 Wembley stadiums. That’s how fast this sector is scaling.”

Champion announced plans to take Saudi-made event brands international, with the first overseas launch set for Hong Kong in 2026.

Majlis part 1: Progress and priorities

The first majlis session, moderated by Annabelle Mander, executive vice president of Tahaluf, examined how Saudi Arabia’s key sectors are advancing Vision 2030 goals.

Speakers included:

• Saud Adham, director of policy & innovation, ministry of culture, Saudi Arabia

• Abhay Bhargava, managing director, Frost & Sullivan Middle East

• Patrick Samaha, partner, public sector practice, Kearney Middle East & Africa

• Turki Alsubaihi, chief executive officer, public transport, SAPTCO Group

Adham emphasised the power of Saudi Arabia’s youthful population.

“Over 70 per cent of Saudi’s population is under 35: a generation hungry for cultural authenticity. We’re channelling this energy to make culture a key driver of our economy,” he said.

Bhargava focused on the country’s evolving investor landscape: “Saudi Arabia has rapidly evolved to meet investor needs across funding, infrastructure, regulations, market access and supply chains — while leveraging its own strengths to attract global capital.”

Samaha, meanwhile, spotlighted digital transformation across government institutions.

“Saudi isn’t just digitising services: it’s creating global benchmarks with one-stop platforms and robust data governance that build trust and confidence for both citizens and international investors,” he added.

For Alsubaihi, he highlighted how public transport plays a pivotal role in enhancing quality of life, as witnessed by the launch of the GCC’s largest metro train network.

“The Riyadh Metro is not just a transport project, it’s a lifestyle change. In less than nine months, we’ve moved 100 million passengers, transforming how the city moves.”

Majlis part 2: Next-phase opportunities

Moderated by Gareth van Zyl, group editor of Gulf Business, the second majlis session explored emerging opportunities and policy frameworks shaping the next phase of Saudi Arabia’s growth.

Speakers included:

• Jasem Alanizy, partner, corporate finance, Addleshaw Goddard

• Osama AlZoubi, vice president, Phosphorus Cybersecurity

• Seton Vermaak, principal consultant, MRM MENAT

• Javier Carinena, principal, energy and process industries practice, Kearney Middle East & Africa

• Najla Najm, Middle East careers leader, Mercer

Alanizy pointed to momentum in education and financial services.

“The education sector is seeing huge momentum, with regulators actively welcoming foreign partnerships and ownership — a transformation unthinkable just a few years ago,” he added.

AlZoubi stressed the importance of cyber security: “Cybersecurity is the foundation of Vision 2030’s giga-projects. Many solutions didn’t exist globally — we had to create them here to protect the world’s most ambitious developments.”

Vermaak highlighted the role of data in tourism and business growth.

“Data is the new currency,” Vermaak said.

“By using it ethically and strategically, Saudi Arabia can deliver personalised, world-class experiences for every visitor and citizen.”

Carinena, who spoke about how AI is transforming the manufacturing landscape, urged manufacturers to act quickly on this technology.
“We’re no longer at the start of the AI era. Companies must act now to integrate AI into their operations or risk being left behind,” he said.

Najm underscored the need for workforce upskilling: “In today’s world, digital skills are as fundamental as literacy. For Saudi’s workforce, these skills are the foundation for success.”

Panel: the international perspective

The final panel of the day, moderated by Ravi K Ranjan, founder & chief executive officer, Silk Route, and former curator & business advisor, Shark Tank India, explored what it takes for global companies to succeed in Saudi Arabia.

Speakers included:

• Maher Abou Nasr, managing director, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Saudi Arabia

• Main Canaan, general manager, GE Aerospace Middle East

• Tarek Miknas, chief executive officer, FP7McCann MENAT

Abou Nasr highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism boom: “Saudi Arabia hit its 2030 tourism target in 2023 — seven years early. Demand is soaring, and we’re bringing new brands and experiences to match this growth.”

Canaan spoke on building local aerospace capabilities: “Vision 2030 isn’t just about buying aircraft — it’s about building local capability. More than half our workforce in the Kingdom are Saudis operating at world-class aviation standards.”

Miknas emphasised the importance of authentic storytelling: “The most powerful campaigns in Saudi Arabia are rooted in authenticity. Global strategies only work when they are built on genuine local voices and understanding.”

Closing reflections

The summit concluded with a high-level networking lunch and the presentation of the inaugural Gamechanger Awards, recognising leaders driving transformation in connectivity, cybersecurity, and aviation technology.

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 ambitions, the conversations at the Gulf Business – Saudi Business and Investment Summit underscored the Kingdom’s appeal as a destination for innovation, investment, and collaboration.

With record foreign investment, booming sectors like tourism and technology, and a clear pathway for business growth, Saudi Arabia is not just transforming itself — it’s shaping the future of the region.