Tahaluf’s CEO shines the spotlight on LEAP 2024

What strategies and approaches did you employ as the CEO of Tahaluf to achieve such remarkable success, including the substantial revenue growth from $2m to over $125m in just four years?

The most important structural reason for our initial successes was to employ some of the best people in the industry and empower them – give them near-total decision-making authority over their roles and encourage them to devolve that power to their team leaders.

Like a startup, we are geared towards employing people with a Founder mentality, and by employing great talent, the positive results have so far greatly outweighed the negative ones.

Conversely, I rarely decide the business without firstly consulting all my senior managers, getting their input, and co-deciding on the way forward – this might make me sound like the least powerful CEO in the business. However, sharing decision-making this way allows for a more motivated and enfranchised senior team, whilst drawing upon a far deeper well of experience and knowledge.

Aside from that, a special strategy was to ensure the company was allied to powerful, relevant and motivated partners – this is why Tahaluf is a strategic joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming (SAFCSP), the Events Investment Fund, and imminently SELA.

So it’s fair to say everything we have achieved so far, this remarkable success, is down to a combination of strategic initiatives involving each of these entities and all of it aligned with the Country’s Vision 2030 goals.

The final reason for our success is Saudi Arabia itself. There are few, if any, countries that are as large a market, with such a massive executive decision-making authority on spend, than the kingdom.

How does LEAP24’s move to a larger venue support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and align with Vision 2030?

LEAP made significant achievements in 2022 by setting new industry records during its debut. The event garnered unprecedented attention by attracting registrations from more than 100 countries, making it the largest debut of any technology event in history.

The 2023 edition continued to break records by confirming 172,000 attendees, solidifying its position as the world’s largest technology event by attendance, investor funds size, and speaker quality and quantity.

LEAP 2023 demonstrated remarkable growth compared to its predecessor, with a 32 per cent year-on-year increase in on-event transactions, exceeding $9bn. The event played a crucial role in injecting fresh foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia’s digital ecosystems and startup economy. Major announcements included significant infrastructure investments, new data centres, billion-dollar-plus public-private partnerships, and initiatives to foster local talent.

The move to a larger venue for LEAP in 2024, with a doubled floor size of more than 125,000square-metres reflects the event’s commitment to accommodating more innovative technologies, digital entrepreneurs, tech startups, and high-profile speakers.

LEAP 2024, powered by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and organised by Tahaluf, is poised to galvanise growth in the international technology arena, supporting the nation’s ambitious economic diversification strategy.

What notable investments were unveiled during the LEAP 2023 and what impact do these investments have on advancing Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation?

LEAP 2023 showcased several notable investments during its four-day run, reinforcing the kingdom’s position as a leading digital market in the MENA region and contributing to its ongoing digital transformation under Vision 2030.

The investments, totalling more than $9bn, were announced by Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, during the opening day.

Key investments included Microsoft’s $2.1bn in a global super-scaler cloud within the kingdom, Oracle’s $1.5bn to expand its MENA business with new cloud areas, Huawei’s $400mn in cloud infrastructure, and the establishment of a Zoom cloud area in partnership with Aramco. These initiatives, backed by a total of $4.5bn in global and local assets, showcase substantial commitments from major players within the global technology sector.

The investments also underscored the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and aligned with his vision to empower the technology sector, a pivotal aspect of growing Saudi Arabia’s digital economy.

The infusion of funds into future technologies, digital entrepreneurship, and tech startups aims to accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation across sectors such as the Internet of Things, healthtech, space, fintech, and open source software.

How do you stay ahead of trends and ensure that your company’s participation in events remains innovative and relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape?

Tahaluf employs a multifaceted approach to stay ahead of trends and ensure innovative and relevant participation in the events and exhibitions landscape.

We conduct market surveys and generate industry-focused reports to gather insights into emerging technologies and shifting market demands. Engaging exhibitors on local, regional, and international scales allows us to stay abreast of diverse markets, fostering a comprehensive understanding of industry dynamics.

Furthermore, our commitment to innovation is reflected in our choice of world-renowned specialists as speakers at our events. By bringing thought leaders and experts to the forefront, we provide attendees with insights and facilitate discussions on the latest trends.

This strategy ensures our participation remains at the forefront of technological advancements, creating a platform that not only responds to current industry needs but also anticipates and shapes future developments.

What are the expected numbers (attendees, exhibitors) at LEAP 2024?

Given our success last year, we are confident there is going to be an increase in demand for participation at the show, which is why we changed our venue to cater to a larger capacity. We are looking at hosting an enormous exhibition which will showcase innovative tech breakthroughs.

Last year, we welcomed 172,000 attendees, cementing our status as the world’s most-attended tech event, and we are well underway to break those records at LEAP 2024. We also have a mix of 1,000-plus international and regional speakers who will contribute to 15 content tracks, spotlighting next-gen tech frontiers.

Adding to the impressive exhibitor lineup, we are thrilled to feature a diverse range of over 1,000 international and regional experts. These seasoned professionals will actively contribute to 15 distinct content tracks, shedding light on the forefront of next-generation technological frontiers.

The convergence of innovative exhibits and expert insights confirms that LEAP 2024 is not only a showcase of technological brilliance but also a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and exploration.

What are the highlights from the upcoming event for attendees and exhibitors – major takeaways, benefits, etc?

LEAP has expanded to seven new content features dedicated to AI, Sustainability, Gaming, Space, Cybersecurity, Future Workforce, and Digital Twins, completing a robust conference and dynamic knowledge-sharing agenda. There is something for everyone at the event.

The Main Stage at LEAP will feature a combination of 130 speakers, from celebrities to C-suite changemakers, where their discussions will follow a four ‘act’ format – Impulse, Accelerate, Momentum, and LEAP – aligning with ideation, business, and personal growth.

Machine learning is a second application of AI and has gained significant traction as it finds diverse uses across different industries. From facilitating advanced imagery analysis in medical diagnostics to enhancing military intelligence capabilities, AI technology is permeating various industries.

We have recognised its increasing integration into daily operations across sectors and believe it crucial to centre our content theme around this transformative technology.

While DeepFest has been an integral part of LEAP since its inception, LEAP 2024 will place a heightened emphasis on this event, reflecting the growing significance of AI in our evolving landscape.

Read: DeepFest 2024: The imperative for responsible AI