The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia is returning to Jeddah for its 6th annual edition this week (April 10-12). Various live kitchens will be set up across the show floor demonstrating the latest local and international products and trends in the F&B (food and beverage) sector.
The Inter-Hotel Culinary Competition will also return for its second edition, which is endorsed by Worldchefs, the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and culinary partner Unilever Food Solutions.
Unilever will have its own dedicated kitchen where various new products and recipes will be revealed to the Saudi market during live demonstrations.
Chef Jean Van Der Westhuizen, executive chef Middle East, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Unilever, said: “The Saudi food industry grows differently to other markets. There has always been a growing popularity for imported international brands in the Kingdom and we can see that these brands have started to adapt more closely to the unique needs of the Saudi diners.”
“We want to cater to the specific needs of the customers in HORECA and their guests. Being at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia gives us the opportunity to interact with the industry to identify their needs and wants, and share the latest local and international trends and insights.”
Chef Westhuizen added: “We are seeing that owners and managers of high-end hotels, restaurants, and business-class travel are searching to enhance their guest experience through high-quality natural flavors, and they also care about every detail of the service. Pure Leaf, a premium tea brand, popular in the United States, is a great fit for this purpose.
“Less sugar-based beverages are increasingly important. Thus, our launch of Lipton Freshly Brewed Ice Tea offers a great alternative to soft drinks for the more health-conscious diner.”
Unilever will also use The Hotel Show as a platform to highlight its latest product in its foods portfolio — the “Knorr Tomato Powder” — a product which transforms 88 dehydrated tomatoes into 6.7 liters of rich tomato sauce in just one minute.
The Unilever Food Solutions team will also share advice for Ramadan at the Jeddah event, focusing on areas such as inspirational buffet recipes, monitoring dish consumption to manage costs, and reducing waste.
The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2018 will be held on April 10-12 at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events.
Chefs to demonstrate latest trends in F&B in Jeddah show
Chefs to demonstrate latest trends in F&B in Jeddah show
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
