LEAP has announced the return of its revamped fourth edition, set to take place from February 9 to 12 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham. Under the theme ‘Into New Worlds,’ LEAP 2025 marks the pioneering tech event’s first ticketed edition, aiming to attract a higher percentage of influential industry attendees to boost business networking and investment opportunities across the technology landscape.

Co-organized by Tahaluf and the Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)—a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund—LEAP 2025 promises advanced features. These include a new series of ‘LEAP Nights’ activities, the return of DeepFest, a dedicated Tech Arena, a SportsTech Track, and a commitment to fostering innovation across multiple sectors such as space, gaming, education, and smart cities, spread over 20 stages.

Tahaluf anticipates the fourth edition will see a significant increase in valuable interactions between exhibitors and visitors, with LEAP 2025 guests engaging with more than 680 start-ups, over 1,000 expert speakers, and over 1,800 global tech brands. LEAP 2025 is set to offer attendees more exclusive experiences, with a focus on connecting the right people with the latest and most exciting technologies.

A brand new SportsTech Track will merge the world of sports with cutting-edge tech trends. Attendees can step into the future of sports through live demos, industry announcements, and the latest innovations from clubs, industry leaders, and sector pioneers. Notable speakers include Patrice Evra, successful entrepreneur and former Manchester United forward, and Mathieu Pierre Flamini, former French professional footballer and co-founder of GF Biochemicals.

Another new addition to LEAP 2025 is the Tech Arena, where attendees can witness live product demos, get hands-on with prototypes, and see groundbreaking technology in action. This arena will feature a lineup of interactive engagements, connecting participants directly with tomorrow’s breakthrough technologies and innovations.

The Startup Stage at LEAP 2025 will shine a spotlight on the brightest innovators and startups. Whether pitching, networking, or exploring attendees will find the Startup Stage to be the place where ideas take flight and the future of tech unfolds. Expanding beyond the convention halls, LEAP 2025 introduces LEAP Nights. Attendees can immerse themselves in Riyadh’s vibrant cultural scene with an exciting lineup of dinners, meetups, and live entertainment. LEAP Nights will provide the perfect backdrop for networking, socializing, and soaking in the city’s energy while forging new connections across the global tech community.

LEAP 2025 will also feature enhanced matchmaking, investor-to-investor workshops, and more mentorship sessions. Attendees can join LEAP’s investor and startup ecosystem, bringing over 1,500 global investors and startups to Riyadh. The Investor Program includes dedicated lounges, an exclusive area for investors to connect with General Partners, Limited Partners, Funds of Funds, and a matchmaking zone with personalized networking spaces.

LEAP 2025 boasts an impressive lineup of notable international figures. Confirmed attendees include Ken Kutaragi, former Chairman and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, coinciding with PlayStation’s 30th anniversary on December 4th; Javier Tebas, President of LA LIGA, Spain’s professional football league; Connie Chan, General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz; and Andrea Vena, Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer of the European Space Agency.

The event will also welcome back familiar guest speakers and global technology leaders, such as Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, who attended last year. Previous LEAP editions have featured renowned tech experts like Eric Yuan, Founder and CEO of Zoom Video Communications; Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok; and Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google and renowned tech commentator.

Attendees can anticipate more high-calibre speakers and exhibitors as LEAP continues to solidify its reputation as the premier venue for connecting technology thought leaders and pioneers. With 75 per cent of conference speakers travelling to Saudi Arabia to participate, LEAP promises to be a significant event in the global tech calendar.

His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized LEAP’s role in defining the Kingdom’s future, saying, “LEAP has made an outstanding contribution to the realisation of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals and has rightly positioned the country as a global technology hub. The decision to move to a ticketed format this year makes LEAP more of an exclusive experience for attendees and relevant to today’s global technology elite. LEAP 2025 will showcase exceptional technology innovations, business opportunities and content – ensuring Saudi Arabia becomes the world’s undisputed technology aggregator.”

Faisal Alkhamisi, Chairman of the SAFCP, said the new LEAP 2025 initiatives reflected the event’s role in mirroring the rapid pace of tech industry developments and hinted at even more to come. “Over the past three years, LEAP has evolved at a rocket-fuelled pace, playing a critical role in nurturing talent, creativity, and investment. Yet, this is just the beginning. LEAP will continue to reflect the ever-changing tech landscape and inspire pioneers from across the globe,” Alkhamisi added.

Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, Saudi Arabia’s largest B2B event organiser and organiser of iconic brands LEAP, Cityscape, and Black Hat MEA, explained, “By transforming LEAP, we are creating a more curated experience. Transitioning to a ticketed model will allow exhibitors and participants to benefit from direct access to a highly engaged and laser-focused audience, leading to more meaningful collaborations and business opportunities. This change reflects our commitment to delivering an event that continues to set the gold standard for tech innovation globally. In the space of just three years, LEAP delivered an incredibly public and private onsite investment totalling more than $27.5 billion, set ever higher benchmarks for tech events worldwide, and delivered the economic impact that stretched well beyond the exhibition and conference floors. With our new strategically focussed format, we expect to accelerate the investment stream and supercharge innovation.”

Taking place from 13-14 November 2024 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, SIBEC 2024 is set to draw hundreds of fire and life safety experts from across the globe. Organized by SIBCA, a leading fire, life safety, and ICT solutions provider in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, SIBEC is a dynamic platform created to encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable development and enhancing safety across the MENA region.

Taking place this year under the theme ‘Innovation that Keeps You Safe,’ the comprehensive two-day program is designed to advance fire and life safety innovations, including in the building management system (BMS), extra-low voltage (ELV), audiovisual (AV), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors. The 2024 edition of the show will spotlight cutting-edge solutions driven by AI and IoT technologies in smart building systems, as well as the use of data analytics to proactively manage risks, underscoring the importance of leveraging innovation to enhance safety and sustainability across the MENA region.

Hosted with the support of 30 vital industry partners such as NFPA, UL Solutions, Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Huawei, ABB, Excel Networking, Pelco by Motorola, AWEX, TTK, Doncaster, Dahua, Hanwha, the event will feature high-level presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities for senior management and decision-makers, as well as offering training and workshops for technical staff and engineers to deepen their understanding of the current market trends and industry requirements.

SIBEC is also pleased to announce the establishment of the Trainovation Fire and Safety Academy Center in Abu Dhabi. Launched in partnership with the NFPA, the new academy will provide NFPA-certified training for professionals working in fire and life safety, equipping them with the essential knowledge needed to protect lives and property, further contributing to the region’s safety and sustainability efforts.

“As the UAE and the GCC continue to expand vital infrastructure to accommodate the region’s rapidly developing economic and demographic trends, it is vital that the industry embraces the role of connectivity in driving innovation for a safer and more sustainable future. SIBEC provides a critical platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to come together to shape the future of safety and technology in the built environment,” said Mr. Ibrahim Lari, Chairman of SIBCA and founder of SIBEC.

SIBEC 2024 will be a pivotal event for those committed to enhancing the safety, performance, and sustainability of the built environment in the MENA region. As the event brings together key stakeholders and thought leaders, it will be an invaluable opportunity to share ideas, forge new partnerships, and drive the next generation of safety and technology solutions for the region’s future.

AmiViz has announced its successful participation in two key regional cybersecurity conferences: MENA ISC 2024 in Saudi Arabia, and CYSEC UAE 2024 in the UAE. These events have served as a platform for AmiViz to collaborate with its top vendors, including Bitsight, Cequence Security, Picus Security, AlgoSec, BlackBerry, Check Point, Tenable, Asimily, and Threatcop, to showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and solutions.

Throughout these events, AmiViz engaged deeply with partners and customers, gaining invaluable insights into the unique cybersecurity challenges faced in the region. The focus was on promoting new technologies that address these challenges and enhance security protocols for businesses operating in the dynamic Middle Eastern market.

“Our presence at the MENA ISC 2024, and CYSEC UAE 2024 has been a remarkable opportunity for us to not only present our innovative solutions but also to understand firsthand the needs and pain points of our clients,” stated Ilyas Mohammed, COO at AmiViz. “Collaboration with our key vendors has allowed us to offer a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity products and services that cater specifically to the complexities of this region.”

AmiViz’s participation in these events underscores its commitment to advancing cybersecurity readiness and resilience across the Middle East. By leveraging strategic partnerships with leading global vendors, AmiViz continues to bring state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions to the forefront, helping businesses protect their critical assets against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

AmiViz, along with its key vendors, will continue participating in major tech events, with plans for a strong presence at GITEX next month. Following GITEX, the company is gearing up for Black Hat in Saudi Arabia this November, showcasing its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to the region.