Tahaluf events drive $17.6bn boost to Saudi economy

Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, speaking at the Gulf Business' Saudi Business and Investment Summit in Riyadh.

Tahaluf’s events in Saudi Arabia are on track to generate $17.6bn between 2023 and the end of 2025, underscoring the Kingdom’s rise as a global hub for business and investment, according to Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf.

Champion revealed the figure exclusively at the Gulf Business Saudi Business and Investment Summit, held on Wednesday at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers.

He said the total reflects $5.2bn in direct spend and $12.4bn in at-event transactions, putting Saudi Arabia’s events sector on par with some of the world’s biggest gatherings, including the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

“In three years, Tahaluf events have had a bigger economic impact on Saudi Arabia than the Qatar FIFA World Cup,” Champion said.

“Of course, the Qatar World Cup was a one-off event, whereas our events will continue to grow and impact the Kingdom.”

Champion added that Tahaluf has been cited in 36 per cent of cabinet mentions by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the highest recognition for any single event organiser in the Kingdom.

Tahaluf expects over 1 million attendees across its events this year, including 100,000 international visitors, according to its 2025 forecast. Champion positioned this scale of activity as a transformative force, framing the events industry as both a driver of diversification under Vision 2030 and proof of the region’s ability to host world-class platforms for global trade and collaboration.

Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa, the world’s largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Tahaluf is behind leading events including LEAP, DeepFest, 24 Fintech, Black Hat MEA, Cityscape Global, Global Health Exhibition, and CPHI Saudi Arabia.

He delivered his keynote at the Gulf Business Saudi Business & Investment Summit 2025, which wrapped up on Wednesday at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers. The summit brought together government leaders, global executives, and regional innovators to explore the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.

Through keynotes, majlis discussions, and panels, speakers highlighted the progress achieved so far, next-phase opportunities, and the international perspective on doing business in Saudi Arabia. The summit underscored the Kingdom’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic business environments, fuelled by public–private collaboration, regulatory reform, and sector diversification.

The event concluded with the Gamechanger Awards and a high-level networking lunch, setting the stage for ongoing engagement and accelerating investment momentum in the Kingdom.