The inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS24) opened on Sunday, welcoming over 1,000 global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry leaders from more than 70 countries to Riyadh.  

 

The event was opened by Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) Chairman Fahd Al Rasheed. It will run till December 17 at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.

 

“In a time marked by profound transformation, the MICE industry has emerged as an essential catalyst of progress. As the premier global leadership for the industry, the International MICE Summit is expanding the horizons of what can be done when people meet, connect, and are entertained. These next three days represent the beginning of a new chapter for the events world,” said Al Rasheed. 

 

The three-day event is the premier global leadership event for the MICE industry, with global alliance partners the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, International Congress and Convention Association,  the Saudi Customer Experience Association, Almater, Wakaya Public Health Authority, and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. 

 

Founding partners are the Saudi Events Investment Fund, Qiddiya, Soudah Development, and Eye of Riyadh, whilst strategic partners are the Saudi Exhibition and Conferences Association, Tahaluf, and Informer. A range of other partners have supported the event, including Oak View Group, Altanfeethi, and organizer Richard Attias and Associates. 

 

Speakers on Day One include Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism, and former Prime Ministers and Ministers from the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Italy, and Greece.

  

The event’s extensive programme features plenary, panel discussions, innovation clusters, collaboration hubs, with several milestone announcements set to transform the global events industry - including investment, commercial partnerships, and commercial expansion announcements in the kingdom.  -TradeArabia News Service