RIYADH: The Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo returns for its eighth year from May 19 to 21, bringing together top brands and underscoring the rapid transformation of the Kingdom’s cultural economy under Vision 2030.

The SEA Expo, Saudi Light and Sound Expo, and the newly launched Middle East Museums and Heritage Expo, will take place together at Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.

A total of 500 exhibitors and 23,000 industry professionals will participate, according to organizers dmg events.

Sarkis Kahwajian, associate vice president – entertainment portfolio at dmg events, said that bringing all the main exhibitors back “reflects the scale and maturity of the sectors being built in Saudi Arabia today.”

“From entertainment destinations and live events to museums and heritage projects, the Kingdom is increasingly recognized as a global meeting point for these industries,” Kahwajian added.

He said the gathering reflects the scale of opportunity as ongoing developments, heritage developments and live event programming drive demand across the Kingdom.

The cultural sector is targeted to contribute 3 percent to the country’s gross domestic product by 2030 and create 346,000 jobs, Kahwajian added.

Visits to entertainment events in Saudi Arabia reached 76.9 million in 2024, representing 6.8 percent annual growth.

The number of businesses operating in the Kingdom’s cultural and entertainment ecosystem surpassed 51,000 in 2023, a 23.6 percent increase since 2021.

Continued strategic partnerships with the General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia have strengthened the expo’s role as an industry platform supporting investment, the organizers stated.

Responding to market demand, the light and sound expo will introduce The Event Production Show, reflecting the industry’s shift toward fully integrated ecosystems supporting concerts, festivals and touring productions.

The Kingdom's event management sector is forecast to grow from $2.6 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2030, representing a 9.7 percent compound annual growth rate.

The Middle East Museums and Heritage Expo will launch as Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated platform serving the sector.