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Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia 2026

15–17 SEP 2026· 3 days · In person

Daily 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center · Riyadh

Free

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Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia 2026

About the event

Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia returns for its 2026 edition from 15 to 17 September 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC), after the organiser moved the show to new dates and a new venue. The halls open daily from 4pm to 10pm across three days running Tuesday to Thursday, and the event is held under licence number 26/5667. This edition is co-located with INDEX Saudi Arabia under one roof, creating a unified platform for the Kingdom's hospitality and interior design industries.

The show covers seven product sectors spanning operating supplies and equipment, hospitality interiors, HORECA, F&B and food services, cleaning and hygiene, hospitality technology, hotel services, and wellness across gyms, recreation, spa and sports, drawing hotel owners and operators, general managers, procurement heads, F&B directors, chefs, restaurant and café owners and housekeeping managers, alongside developers, architects and fit-out contractors. New to this edition is CoffeeZone, which brings the full coffee journey to life from roasting and grinding through brewing and espresso equipment to specialty blends, barista tools and café design, and which hosts the Saudi Arabia Barista Championship across all three days with the support of the Qahwa Association of Saudi Arabia and sanctioning from World Coffee Events, the national champion going on to represent the Kingdom at the World Barista Championship in Panama.

dmg events organises the show alongside a programme that includes the Hospitality Leaders Summit, three days of strategic sessions for owners, developers, operators, investors and government representatives, together with SaudiHost, a dedicated platform for the foodservice sector, and the Hotel & Hospitality Awards, whose fifteen categories are announced at a ceremony on 17 September 2026 at the same venue, with a 2026 advisory board drawn from industry leadership guiding the edition. Entry is restricted to trade professionals and individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted to the exhibition halls, while the professional visitor badge remains free through the organiser's platform. The venue is reached on the Riyadh Metro Red Line to Riyadh Exhibition Center station and then Gate 5, or by car with free on-site parking.

Agenda

16:25–16:30Opening remarks by the Chairperson
16:30–17:00The Saudi hospitality market outlook: Where will growth create the biggest opportunitiesSaudi Arabia's hospitality landscape continues to diversify as tourism demand expands across business, leisure, entertainment and religious travel. With more than 218,000 additional hotel rooms, serviced apartments and branded residences planned across Makkah and Madinah alongside major destinations, new opportunities are emerging well beyond traditional hotel development. This panel explores where the strongest commercial opportunities are taking shape across hotels, restaurants, cafes, hospitality venues and mixed-use developments, and how businesses can position themselves for sustainable growth. Speakers: Tarique Khatri, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co.; Osama Alshahrani, IPG International Precision Group.
17:05–17:35The 50-year decision: What makes an operator the right partner for Saudi hospitality?Choosing a hotel operator is one of the most consequential decisions a hospitality developer will make, with the potential to shape an asset's positioning, performance and relevance for decades. In this fireside conversation, Omar AlAbdullatif, CEO of Blacksand, explores why operator selection should begin with a clear understanding of the destination and its future demand, and how developers and operators can build partnerships designed to evolve well beyond the initial agreement.
17:40–18:10Understanding tomorrow's customer: Meeting changing expectations across hospitalityCustomer expectations continue to evolve as domestic tourism grows, international visitor numbers increase and consumers seek more personalised, experience-led hospitality. From hotels and restaurants to cafes and entertainment venues, how can businesses respond to changing behaviours while creating memorable experiences that build loyalty, increase spend and encourage repeat visits? Moderator: Oussama El Kadiri, Knight Frank MENA. Speakers: Mina Anziani, Kerten Hospitality; Ferran Brufau, Radisson Hotel Group; Azhar Alghamdi, AINA Hospitality.
18:15–18:45Knowledge Economic City: Positioning Madinah as a new global hospitality and investment destinationWith strong underlying visitor demand and Saudi Arabia's tourism transformation creating new opportunities for investment, Madinah is entering an important new phase of growth. This session explores how Knowledge Economic City is transforming its 6.8 million square metre masterplan into an integrated destination, bringing together hospitality, residential, retail, culture and connectivity while creating new opportunities for investors, operators and strategic partners. Speaker: Marko Vucinic, Knowledge Economic City.
18:50–19:20Inside W Riyadh: Bringing a new luxury hospitality landmark to KAFDSpeaker: Costas Livadaris, Hospitality & Leisure Lead EMEA at Parsons.
19:25–20:05Bringing Saudi identity to life through hospitalityAuthenticity is becoming a key differentiator as visitors increasingly seek meaningful cultural experiences. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its cultural and tourism sectors, hospitality businesses have an opportunity to showcase the Kingdom's heritage through service, storytelling, culinary experiences, local partnerships and destination programming. How can businesses create experiences that are commercially successful while remaining distinctly Saudi? Speakers: Muin Serhan, Amsa Hospitality; Ahmad Yousry Elbeheiry, Accor; Abdullah Hassan AL Fryan, Royal Commission for Riyadh City; Majed Saud Kaki, Elaf Group.
20:10–20:40Local brands, global brands: Competing in a changing hospitality marketSaudi Arabia's hospitality market is becoming increasingly competitive as international operators expand alongside ambitious local brands. As customer expectations evolve and new destinations emerge, what will define successful hospitality brands over the next decade? This fireside chat explores how local and global brands can differentiate themselves, build customer loyalty and create lasting competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market. Speakers: Mazen Allam, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; Hans Konings, Radisson Hotel Group.
20:45–21:20Beyond the hotel: Creating destinations people choose every dayHospitality today extends beyond accommodation. Successful destinations bring together hotels, restaurants, cafes, retail, entertainment, wellness and leisure experiences to create places people choose to visit throughout the day and throughout the year. As mixed-use developments continue to reshape Saudi Arabia's hospitality landscape, how can owners, operators and businesses collaborate to create destinations that drive footfall, increase spend and encourage repeat visitation? Speakers: Ashraf Qasem, Al Othaim Investment Co.; Hussein A. Dayekh, Rosewood Jeddah; Mina Anziani, Kerten Hospitality.
21:25–21:30Closing remarks by the Chairperson

16:20–16:25Opening remarks by the Chairperson
16:30–17:00Empowering Saudi hospitality HR professionals and leaders: A Star and Movenpick Riyadh - Accor initiative powered by HRCIStar and Movenpick Riyadh - Accor formally sign and launch the first initiative of its kind developed specifically for HR specialists, managers and people leaders working in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry. Powered by HRCI, one of the world's leading HR credentialing organisations, the initiative combines HRCI's globally recognised body of HR knowledge and professional competency standards with practical hospitality expertise. It is founded on the belief that investing in hospitality HR professionals creates an impact far beyond the HR function, supporting talent attraction, workforce development, employee experience, career progression and retention. The signing ceremony is followed by remarks from the leadership of Star and Movenpick Riyadh - Accor and a presentation explaining how hospitality HR professionals can participate, including how eligible Saudi nationals can benefit from full subsidisation through the Human Resources Development Fund. Moderator: Petra Assaf, Star. Speakers: Salman Gasim, Star; George Ganchev and Abdullah Alnashri, Movenpick Hotel & Residences Riyadh (Accor).
17:00–17:45Scaling hospitality without compromising performanceAs new hotels, destinations and hospitality businesses open across the Kingdom, leaders face growing pressure to scale operations while maintaining service quality, cost control and brand consistency. The number of licensed hospitality facilities increased by more than one-third during 2025, but expanding supply also brings greater competition for customers, talent and operational resources. This leadership session examines the decisions operators are making to protect profitability and guest experience as portfolios expand, from productivity and operating structures to shared services and performance measurement. Speakers: Elie Badawi, Hilton Hotels & Resorts; Hans Konings, Radisson Hotel Group; Nuran Kilani, TIME Hotels; Samy Boukhaled, BAAN Holding.
17:50–18:30Building the workforce behind hospitality growthTourism employment exceeded 1.03 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, increasing by 6.6% year on year, with Saudi nationals representing 24% of the workforce. As hotels, restaurants, cafes and destinations compete for talent, employers must rethink how they recruit, train and retain people. This session explores how hospitality businesses can build stronger supervisory and leadership pipelines while creating more attractive careers for Saudi professionals. Speakers: Hisham AlAali, Qiddiya; Jorge Arnanz, King Faisal International Academy; Amna Alyamani, Alkhaleej Training & Education.
18:35–19:05Turning AI ambition into operational valueArtificial intelligence is moving quickly onto the hospitality agenda, but adoption remains uneven. Across the Middle East, 91% of tourism and hospitality organisations surveyed are piloting or using AI, while only 3% have achieved full enterprise-wide implementation. Although 85% report measurable cost savings or efficiency gains, legacy systems, limited AI skills and data privacy remain significant barriers. This conversation moves beyond experimentation to examine where AI is delivering practical value across workforce planning, guest communication, maintenance, forecasting and revenue management. Speakers: Mohammed Elfakhrany, Barns; Julio Corredor, Shaden Hospitality Company.
19:10–19:40Beyond price: What drives hospitality purchasing decisionsAs hospitality projects move from development into operation, purchasing decisions are becoming increasingly focused on long-term value rather than upfront cost. Buyers evaluate suppliers on product quality, lifecycle performance, local availability, after-sales support and the ability to deliver consistently across multiple projects. This session explores how purchasing priorities are evolving, what differentiates preferred suppliers, and how businesses can build stronger long-term partnerships. Speaker: Mohammed Al Nashwan, HARTT Hospitality Consulting.
19:45–20:20Looking beyond hotels: Where are investors placing their next bets?The hospitality market is expanding beyond traditional hotels into branded residences, extended-stay products, wellness destinations, food halls, entertainment-led venues and mixed-use developments. As investors become more selective, future opportunities will depend on resilient demand, clear operating models and the ability to generate revenue throughout the day and across different customer segments. This session explores which hospitality formats are attracting capital and how owners and investors assess risk, scalability and long-term performance. Moderator: Abdulaziz Al Qarra, Al Rajhi Capital. Speakers: Meshari Alnahari, Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR); Khaled Qurashi, Zawaya Properties.
20:25–21:10Moving from strategy to execution: Delivering hospitality that performsSuccessful hospitality projects depend on alignment between ownership objectives, operational requirements, procurement decisions and customer expectations. As developments become more complex, gaps between strategy and execution can lead to delays, higher costs and weaker operating performance. This closing discussion brings together owners, operators and delivery leaders to examine how decisions are made from development through pre-opening and into daily operation, focusing on governance, accountability and the actions required to protect asset value once a business begins trading. Moderator: Naji Syriani, Diriyah Company. Speakers: Bahaa Marzouk, Al Khozama Investment Company; Christian Krollig, Diriyah Company; Nadeem Zaman, Rua Al Madinah; Tariq Yousef Dowidar, Aleph Hospitality.
21:15–21:20Closing remarks by the Chairperson

16:30–16:35Opening remarks by the ChairpersonSpeaker: Stefan Breg, Managing Partner at Keane.
16:35–17:05The business of food and beverage: What's driving the next phase of growth?Food and beverage has become one of the fastest-growing sectors within Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry, creating opportunities across restaurants, cafes, hotels, entertainment venues and mixed-use destinations. As competition increases and customer expectations continue to evolve, operators must look beyond growth alone and focus on building commercially resilient businesses. This leadership session explores the market trends, customer behaviours and investment priorities shaping the next chapter of food and beverage, and where businesses should focus to achieve sustainable long-term growth.
17:10–17:40Local roots, global tastes: What will define Saudi Arabia's dining identitySaudi Arabia's dining scene is becoming increasingly diverse. Saudi culinary traditions and regional flavours are being rediscovered and reimagined, while international cuisines, chefs and restaurant concepts continue to enter the Kingdom. As diners become more adventurous and Saudi Arabia welcomes a growing international audience, how can the industry embrace global influences without losing what makes its culinary culture distinctive? This session explores how local heritage and international inspiration can shape a dining identity that feels authentically Saudi and globally relevant. Moderator: Barbara Kardos, Keane. Speakers: Daniele Chiari, Royal Protocol Hospitality and Catering; Hakim Bagabas, Food Passion ME.
17:45–18:15The story behind great kitchens: What today's chefs need to deliverAs guest expectations continue to evolve, the role of the chef extends far beyond creating exceptional food. Today's culinary leaders are expected to drive innovation, maintain consistency across multiple outlets, manage costs, embrace technology, champion sustainability and deliver memorable dining experiences that strengthen hospitality brands. This session explores the skills, leadership qualities and operational decisions that define successful chefs today, and how culinary leaders balance creativity with the commercial and operational demands of modern hospitality. Moderator: Stefan Breg, Keane. Speakers: Bilal Saleh, Hilton Hotels & Resorts; Naji Berjawi, Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center.
18:20–18:50Creativity on the menu: Food, flavour and experienceFood is increasingly at the heart of how guests experience a restaurant, hotel or destination. As Saudi Arabia's dining scene continues to grow, chefs and F&B leaders are experimenting with new flavours, ingredients, menus and concepts while finding fresh ways to connect food with the overall dining experience. This session brings together culinary and F&B leaders to explore the creativity behind memorable dining, from what goes on the plate to how menus, concepts and experiences come together. Moderator: Stefan Breg, Keane. Speakers: Felipe Alvear, Grand Hyatt The Red Sea; Omar Alazeeh, Hyatt Place AlUla; Mawadah Bajrai, Alamar Foods Company.
18:55–19:30Beyond the coffee boom: Building cafe businesses that lastSaudi Arabia's cafe sector continues to expand rapidly, supported by changing consumer habits, growing investment and increasing demand for high-quality coffee experiences. As competition grows, long-term success depends on much more than a popular concept. This fireside conversation explores what it takes to build commercially sustainable cafe businesses through strong operations, customer loyalty, innovation and consistent execution. Moderator: Stefan Breg, Keane. Speakers: Ali Safa, Costa Coffee Professional; Osamah Mohamed Ali Alawwam, Roasting House Commercial Company.
19:35–19:40Closing remarks by the ChairpersonSpeaker: Stefan Breg, Managing Partner at Keane.
20:00–21:00Hotel & Hospitality AwardsBringing the Hospitality Leaders Summit to a close, the Hotel & Hospitality Awards celebrate the individuals, teams and organisations making an outstanding contribution to Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry. The awards recognise excellence across hotels, restaurants, cafes and hospitality businesses, honouring achievements in leadership, innovation, customer experience and operational excellence.