One of the leading international events companies, dmg Events has established an office in Saudi Arabia. The opening of the office followed the granting of Saudi investment licence by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) earlier this year. The 100 percent owned business unit is situated in Jeddah.
The opening of the business in the Saudi Arabia is seen in many quarters as the beginning of the future expansion of the firm in the kingdom and beyond.
Described as a leading organiser of face-to-face events and a publisher of trade magazines, the firm aims to keep businesses informed and connect them with relevant communities to create what it called “vibrant marketplaces” besides accelerating their business across multiple platforms.
The new office in Saudi Arabia will be used as a base for the company’s events throughout the kingdom besides its focus on core construction, hospitality and design brands, such as the Big 5, Hotel Show and INDEX.
The company in a statement obtained by Maritime Bits said a combination of core events and potential future launches will enable dmg events to expand into sectors that are set to grow as Saudi Arabia fulfils its Vision 2030 plan. The country’s 2018 budget was the largest in its history and set aside $14.4bn for infrastructure. The funding will go toward roads, ports, railways, airports, housing, and information technology.
Quoting the President, dmg events, Middle East, Asia and Africa, Matt Denton, the statement said: “These ambitious plans clearly show why Saudi Arabia is an important market for our business. Establishing our own permanent presence in the country will enable us to build on the relationships we have worked hard to develop over the last six years of working with local partners. It also means we will be well placed to serve our customers better by being on the ground to understand market needs and nurture relationships.”
According to Denton, the support of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the Riyadh Exhibition Centre (RICEC) and in particular the Saudi Exhibitions and Convention Bureau (SECB) has been crucial to enabling this move by dmg events. The SECB has provided both market intelligence and also streamlined processes, making it easier to apply for event licences. Such changes have been paired with improved ease of access to entry visas, helping to attract more attendees to events in Saudi Arabia.
Continuing, it said: “The support we receive from our partners is vital to our success and the growth of our industry in Saudi Arabia. We are very grateful for their assistance. With their continued help we can support the country’s pursuit of the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030 by bringing industries and industry leaders together at our events.”
Findings by Maritime Bits showed that dmg events organises more than 80 events across 25 countries, attracting over 350,000 attendees and delegates annually.
Its portfolio of products includes many industry leading events such as the Big 5 construction shows and the ADIPEC and GASTECH energy events.
