Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo to bring together sector’s leaders in May

SEA Expo 2025 is set to return to Riyadh from May 20-22 at the Roshn Front bringing together the world’s top entertainment and amusement brands showcasing the latest advances in the sector. (Supplied)
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SEA Expo 2025 is set to return to Riyadh from May 20-22 at the Roshn Front bringing together the world’s top entertainment and amusement brands showcasing the latest advances in the sector. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo to bring together sector’s leaders in May

Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo to bring together sector’s leaders in May
  • SEA Expo returns for seventh year, attracting over 15,000 industry professionals, 300 local and global exhibitors

RIYADH: The Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo is set to return for its seventh year from May 20-22 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, bringing together the world’s top entertainment and amusement brands, and showcasing the latest advances in the sector.

SEA 2025 will run alongside the Saudi Light and Sound Expo and will showcase innovation and industry trends, bringing together global experts and sector leaders.

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 ambitions and positions itself as the nexus of the global entertainment and amusement landscape, the expo serves as a central platform where industry leaders, investors, and visionaries from across the world converge to actively shape the future of entertainment.

From theme parks to experiential tech, local and global brands are finding new ways to be part of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and amusement scene.

Sarkis Kahwajian, associate vice president at organizers DMG Events, said: “The SEA Expo exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the entertainment sector.

“SEA Expo is fueling this shift in the entertainment and amusement sector, providing a sought-after platform for businesses to connect, collaborate, and innovate, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the wider Middle East’s fast-evolving entertainment landscape.”

Featuring over 300 local and global brands with the latest ingenuity in amusement, theme parks, entertainment tech and more, the expo is set to welcome over 15,000 entertainment industry professionals, opening the door for vital international collaborations and multi-billion-dollar investments.

Co-located with the SLS Expo, it doubles the opportunities and experiences, bringing together two distinct industry events at one venue. The co-location allows attendees to explore a diverse range of products, solutions, and innovations — not just in entertainment and amusement, but also in professional lighting design, technology, and audio advancements.

The SLS Expo will showcase the latest sound, lighting, and audiovisual innovations.

Kahwajian added: “SLS Expo 2025 is the perfect stage for professionals to see how new-age technology is propelling the Kingdom’s professional lighting and sound sector to new heights. We truly believe this expo is an accelerator for the industry in the region.”

As Saudi Arabia’s pro-light and sound industry grows in line with Vision 2030’s goals of economic development, entertainment expansion, and infrastructure advancement, SLS Expo plays an essential role in this progress, he said, adding that with major investments in awe-inspiring venues and ingenious event tech, it will showcase innovations shaping the future of professional lighting and sound in the Kingdom.

SLS Expo is the ideal meeting hub for suppliers, venue operators, and event organizers to engage with 200 local and global brands.

Beyond the exhibition, the dedicated SLS summit will host over 25 speakers across 10 conference sessions covering a wide range of topics, including captivating event technologies, sustainability in production, and the role of smart tech in live shows.


First satellite data platform launched to advance Kingdom’s space economy

First satellite data platform launched to advance Kingdom’s space economy
Updated 5 sec ago
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First satellite data platform launched to advance Kingdom’s space economy

First satellite data platform launched to advance Kingdom’s space economy
  • Earth Observation platform was launched to meet the growing demand for high-resolution satellite imagery and space analytics across key sectors
  • CEO of the Neo Space Group Martijn Blanken: Earth Observation data supports infrastructure development, urban growth, and resource management

JEDDAH: Neo Space Group, a space and satellite communications company under the Public Investment Fund, has launched Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated Earth observation marketplace, advancing the Kingdom’s space economy.

Operated by UP42, a subsidiary of Neo Space Group, the Earth Observation platform was launched to meet the growing demand for high-resolution satellite imagery and space analytics across key sectors.

It supports the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030 by integrating Earth Observation data into sectors such as environment, infrastructure, energy, real estate, mining, logistics, agriculture, and urban planning.

Martijn Blanken, CEO of the Neo Space Group, said that the platform reflects increasing demand for space-based intelligence in the Kingdom, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

“Earth Observation data is essential today,” said Blanken. “It supports infrastructure development, urban growth, and resource management. With more than 2.15 million sq. km, Saudi Arabia requires scalable, data-driven tools for strategic decisions.”

The platform provides access to global data providers and AI-powered services, allowing government agencies, local companies, and international users to acquire and analyze high-resolution imagery and geospatial data through a digital interface.

Frank Salzgeber, acting deputy governor for the space sector at the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, called the launch an important step for the Kingdom’s space economy.

“Alongside enhancing national capabilities, the platform is expected to accelerate the adoption of space technologies in the Kingdom. It reflects our national priorities: fostering technological innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building secure infrastructure.”

The platform follows Neo Space Group’s acquisition of UP42 GmbH from Airbus in December 2024. The German company runs a cloud-native Earth observation platform that simplifies satellite data access and processing.

Available at sa.up42.com, the platform lets users search, access, and process satellite data at scale using automated workflows, unified formats, and user-friendly tools. It complies with Saudi regulations and is hosted on secure local infrastructure.


9 teams make finals of Jameel Deep Tech Initiative startup contest

9 teams make finals of Jameel Deep Tech Initiative startup contest
Updated 10 min 43 sec ago
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9 teams make finals of Jameel Deep Tech Initiative startup contest

9 teams make finals of Jameel Deep Tech Initiative startup contest
  • Supports 30 STEM teams to transform research into startups
  • King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology backs project

RIYADH: Nine teams have advanced to the finals of the SR2.25 million ($600,000) Jameel Deep Tech Initiative startup competition, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The teams that advanced are Plansulin, Queed, iRama, Quantasphere Ltd., Advanced Future Technology, Novo Genomics, Larimar, Visi Ground, and iBoat.

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology hosted the semifinal stage at its Academy 32 facility, the SPA reported.

The event was set up to support 30 teams in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to transform research projects into market-ready startups.

Jameel, organized by StartSmart Entrepreneurship Center, and implemented through partnerships with KACST, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority.

It targets deep tech innovations in the health, energy, environment and climate sectors, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to empower research-based startups.

The semifinal event featured sector-specific training sessions, interactive product development challenges within fixed timeframes, cross-disciplinary workshops and business model refinement exercises.

Participants received specialized mentorship to overcome technical and commercial hurdles.

Radwan Noor, KACST’s general manager of Venture Attraction, said in a statement that they are enabling researchers to convert scientific outputs into viable tech companies with tangible market impact.

KACST supports this through scientific expertise, mentorship, judging, and access to laboratories and research infrastructure.

He said several participating startups graduated from KACST’s Ventures Program, demonstrating successful pathways from national labs to market solutions.

Mohammed Abdulghaffar, senior general manager at Community Jameel, added that this collaboration empowers scientists and innovators to commercialize research.


Saudi club hosts global falcon auction in Riyadh

Saudi club hosts global falcon auction in Riyadh
Updated 14 min 40 sec ago
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Saudi club hosts global falcon auction in Riyadh

Saudi club hosts global falcon auction in Riyadh
  • Running until Aug. 25, the event attracts top breeders and farms from within the Kingdom and around the world
  • Auction provides an opportunity for people across the world of falconry to meet, interact and share ideas

RIYADH: The International Falcon Breeders Auction opened on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh.

Running until Aug. 25, the event attracts top breeders and farms from within the Kingdom and around the world, with Europe, the Americas and Asia all represented, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

More than just a sales platform, the auction provides an opportunity for people across the world of falconry to meet, interact and share ideas on this ancient sport. The many pavilions, including a “Falconer of the Future” stand, provide a showcase for breeding farms and equipment suppliers.

The event also supports the Saudi Falcons Club’s efforts to promote the heritage, culture and development of falconry, including pioneering breeding farms, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for the sector.

Last year’s auction saw 872 birds changing hands for a combined value of more than SR10 million ($2.7 million). That represented a 25 percent increase in revenue and a 36 percent rise in the number of birds sold from 2023.

This year’s event is expected once again to attract the very best falconers and breeders from across the globe, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in preserving intangible cultural heritage and its growing international stature in the falconry world.


Sri Lankan envoy hails Kingdom’s Islamic efforts

Sri Lankan envoy hails Kingdom’s Islamic efforts
Updated 05 August 2025
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Sri Lankan envoy hails Kingdom’s Islamic efforts

Sri Lankan envoy hails Kingdom’s Islamic efforts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh received Sri Lankan Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh.

The officials discussed various topics related to Islamic affairs and ongoing cooperation between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the envoy praised the Kingdom’s leading role in supporting Islamic causes and promoting the values of tolerance and moderation globally, particularly in Sri Lanka.

Ameer Ajwad emphasized that these efforts reflect the true message of Islam, the SPA reported.

“We take pride in the Kingdom’s remarkable role in promoting the values of tolerance and moderation — a noble mission that truly represents the lofty message of Islam,” the envoy said.

He thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous support to Sri Lanka across various fields, and especially their service in response to Qur’anic injunctions.

The ambassador also praised the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for spreading a message of moderation worldwide.

He commended the ministry’s awareness programs, training for imams and preachers, and its organization of Qur’an competitions.


Madinah fair empowers Saudi authors, publishers

Madinah fair empowers Saudi authors, publishers
Updated 05 August 2025
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Madinah fair empowers Saudi authors, publishers

Madinah fair empowers Saudi authors, publishers

MADINAH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has empowered the nation’s authors and publishers at the fourth Madinah Book Fair, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The week-long event, held from July 29 to Aug. 4, hosted more than 300 local and international publishing houses and agencies across more than 200 exhibition booths.

Abdullatif Alwasel, the commission’s CEO, thanked the Kingdom’s leaders for their continued support of the nation’s arts and culture sector.

He said the fair marks a key milestone in advancing the publishing industry and spreading knowledge across society.

Alwasel noted that this year’s edition saw unprecedented participation and a wide range of cultural events tailored to various age groups and intellectual interests.

The fair offered broad opportunities for local publishers and authors, improved book accessibility, and strengthened Saudi Arabia content, he added.

Notable initiatives included a discounted book zone and upgrades to the fair’s technical infrastructure, enhancing visitor engagement and overall experience.

The fair attracted large numbers of people from diverse backgrounds who actively engaged with the cultural program presented by distinguished writers and intellectuals.

The sessions featured panels and workshops on key literary topics for the benefit of the public, according to the report.

The book-signing platform hosted several Saudi Arabia authors with their latest work, while various government and cultural organizations showcased their latest initiatives and contributions to the sector.