As Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, and Tabuk undergo rapid development through government initiatives and giga-projects, IFS Jeddah will highlight cutting-edge designs, sustainable interiors, and architectural innovation. With more than $1.45 trillion in hospitality, residential, and commercial projects, Saudi Arabia’s design sector is entering a new era of modernization and growth.

Saudi Arabia’s Expanding Hospitality and Real Estate Market

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has set ambitious targets for the hospitality and accommodation sector, with plans to deliver 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, at a total cost of $37.8 billion. The Western Province is a key driver of this transformation, with cities like Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah leading the way in luxury hotel development. Currently, 66% of Saudi Arabia’s hotel inventory is in the luxury segment, a figure projected to grow to 72% by 2030.

Industry Leaders and Key Exhibitors

IFS Jeddah will feature over 100 exhibitors and is expected to attract more than 5,000 influential buyers from the hospitality, residential, and commercial interiors sectors. Some key exhibitors include:

• Local brands: Al Aqeel, Foamco, Al Guthmi, Al Rugaib Furniture, Creative Closets, Al Nassaj, Al Sourayi, Majestic, Damons, and Back Care.
• International brands: Standard Carpets, Trend Middle East, Surfaces Furnishing LLC, and Zuma Design Consultants.

IFS Jeddah Conference and Expert Speakers

The event will also feature IFSpeaks, a thought-leadership program featuring discussions on Saudi heritage in design, sustainability, 3D printing, and the future of AI in architecture. Speakers include:

• Amani Al Ibrahim, Partner and Executive Director of Kristina Zanic Consultants
• Dr. Karima Hemida, Head of Design at Jeddah International College
• Ma’an Bajnaid, Architect at M3N DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE
• Iman Abuljadayel, Founder of In Detail Design Center

A Three-Day Focus on Design Evolution

Each day of IFS Jeddah will explore a different design theme:

• Day One: Saudi heritage and its influence on modern interiors.
• Day Two: Innovations in flexible workspaces, AI integration, and space transformation.
• Day Three: The future of Saudi design, empowering the next generation of architects and designers.

Jeddah: A Growing Hub for Design and Innovation

Jasmeet Bakshi, Vice President of Design and Hospitality at dmg events, emphasized the strategic importance of Jeddah:

“Jeddah is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. From the Jeddah Central Project and the Red Sea Project to NEOM, the city is becoming a global leader in sustainable and innovative design. IFS Jeddah will not only showcase products but also bring together the industry’s top talents to shape the future of Saudi architecture and interiors.”

As Saudi Arabia’s design and fit-out industry expands, IFS Jeddah will serve as a key networking hub, bringing together the region’s top architects, designers, and project owners. The event is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of interiors and furniture in the Western Province and beyond.

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Organised by dmg events, IFS will run from 18-20 February and bring together global and local brands with interior designers, architects, project owners, and fit-out contractors from across Saudi Arabia’s vibrant Western Province. Cities such as Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, and Tabuk are proving thriving hubs of design activity driven by government initiatives and giga-projects spanning hospitality, residential, and commercial developments worth in excess of US$1,452 billion.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing spiralling expansion of its hotel and accommodation sector, aligning with Vision 2030’s ambitious targets. By 2030, the Kingdom aims to deliver 320,000 new hotel rooms at a total development cost of US$37.8bn. Key cities such as Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah are at the forefront of this growth with plans for new luxury hotels and resorts to cater to both domestic and international tourists. Currently, 66 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s hotel inventory is in the luxury segment, which is projected to grow to 72 per cent by 2030.

“Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented transformation, and Jeddah stands as its gateway to innovation and cultural heritage,” said Jasmeet Bakshi, Vice President of Design and Hospitality at dmg events. “As the pathway to Mecca and a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, Jeddah is progressing with ambitious developments. From the Jeddah Central Project and the Red Sea Project to the iconic NEOM, skylines are being reshaped, and a new era of sustainable, innovative living is being ushered in and spearheading unmatched growth in the design and construction industries.”

With more than $74.8 billion in construction projects underway, combined with a dynamic religious tourism sector, Jeddah is becoming a canvas for bold architectural ideas, state-of-the-art interiors, and cutting-edge design, making it an ideal location for the three day trade show.

Some local exhibitors include Al Aqeel, Foamco, Al Guthmi, Al Rugaib Furniture, Creative Closets, Al Nassaj, Al Sourayi, Majestic, Damons, and Back Care whereas some international exhibitors include Standard Carpets, Trend Middle East, Surfaces Furnishing LLC, and Zuma Design Consultants.

IFS Jeddah will also feature an IFSpeaks where industry leaders, creative minds, and visionary thinkers will explore design’s past, present, and future through immersive sessions. The industry-led programme has been curated with input from a steering committee of some of Saudi Arabia’s most eminent and emerging interior designers and architects.

The line-up so far includes Amani Al Ibrahim, Partner and Executive Director of Kristina Zanic Consultants; Dr Karima Hemida, Head of Design at Jeddah International College; avant garde architect Ma’an Bajnaid from M3N DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE; and distinguished Saudi interior designer Iman Abuljadayel, from In Detail Design Center who has already made a significant mark in the world of luxury design. Each will explore among other things heritage-inspired style modernity, innovative fabrication such as 3D printing, space transformation through textiles, and sustainable design trends shaping the future.

Each day, we will delve into different design facets. Day One will celebrate Saudi heritage and explore how traditional aesthetics influence modern interiors, while Day Two will focus on the present, where we delve in innovative flexible workspaces, redefining human living and the use of AI. The final day will look to the future, empowering Saudi’s next generation of designers and building the future of Jeddah.

More than 5,000 influential buyers along with 100 exhibitors and specifiers are expected to attend IFS Jeddah, representing a range of key expansion sectors such as hospitality, residential, and commercial interiors.

“IFS reflects Saudi Arabia’s transformation bringing together the finest local and international brands alongside architects, designers, and project owners seeking solutions for the ambitious developments reshaping the Western Province. The event is not just about showcasing products; it is about creating a space where ideas, culture, and innovation converge. Jeddah’s unique identity as a city of heritage and progress and an up-and-coming global design leader makes it the perfect IFS host,” added Bakshi.

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The shows, which ran from the 10^th – 12^th September at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre, saw over 23,700 visitors, 500 exhibitors from 35 countries, and over 165 speakers across all three summits, illustrating the demand in the hotel and hospitality sector, the architecture fit-out and design industry, and the burgeoning lighting sector.

According to Elaine O’Connell, Vice President of the Design and Hospitality sector at dmg events, all three shows witnessed a 30% increase in visitors compared to its 2022 edition.

“Our aims and goals with all three expos were to curate shows that spoke directly to industry needs and challenges, all while reinforcing goals under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and we are pleased that it exceeded our expectations. The response from our visitors, exhibitors, and speakers illustrates the evolution of these industries and the seismic shift that the Kingdom is currently experiencing as it transforms into a hub for tourism, design, and culture. And the exciting part is, that this is only the beginning.”

Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission at the Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia, officially opened the shows and delivered a keynote address at INDEX Design Talks revealing the outlook for the Kingdom’s architecture industry and the pivotal role it plays in the country’s transformation story.

“The Architecture and Design commission has been eager to develop community engagement and participation, in addition to activating programs and initiatives related to the sectors, in order to advance the sector and accomplish our ambitious objectives,” she said. “Since 2021, we have launched the commission’s strategy with its ambitious vision and mission (the North Star), to advance and develop the sector, which affects all the sectors in which the commission specialises in its various regulatory, economic, and educational aspects, and the enrichment and development of content and community engagements; to contribute to the development of the sector, support practitioners.”

According to Dr Al-Solaiman these initiatives aim to raise the sector to meet the ambitions of the architecture and design community through supporting, empowering, and developing notable local talent.

Among this year’s highlights included the Saudi Hospitality Talent Awards, which recognised talented and hardworking individuals from across the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. Notably, this year nine out of the 14 award categories were won by women in the hospitality sector demonstrating the increase of women in the country’s hotel and hospitality industry and aligning with the Kingdom’s goal to increase the rate of women in the workforce by 30%.

Winners included Makkah Hotel and Towers, who walked away with three awards for Sales & Marketing Star of The Year, Front of House Star of The Year and Housekeeping Star of The Year, while Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower walked away with the Hospitality Woman of The Year and Finance Star of The Year award. Other winners were from Raffles Makkah Palace; Holiday Inn The Business District; Centro Shaheen Hotel by Rotana; Contemporary Food Company Ltd.; Accor, Rosewood Jeddah; Ibis & Adagio Hotel; Centro Olaya by Rotana; and Boudl Hotels & Resorts.

With culinary skills in the Kingdom growing rapidly, the event also saw all-star chefs in go head-to-head in the 5^th edition of the Mystery Box Challenge. Set across the three days of the Hotel & Hospitality Expo, the Mystery Box Challenge was supported by Chef Yasser Jad, Founder & President of the Saudi Arabian Chefs’ Association and sponsoring equipment and supplies were Raqtan and RAK Ceramics. This year’s Challenge featured seven participating teams from prominent hotels in Saudi Arabia and nabbing top honours were the winning teams from Voco Hotel Riyadh, Marriot Courtyard Olaya, and Shaza Riyadh Hotel.

Another successful show highlight this year was the INDEX Design Talks, which had over 90 speakers from some of the biggest design disruptors in the industry including Red Sea Global; Diriyah Gate Development Authority; Roar; Accor; Royal Commission for AlUla; Kristina Zanic Consultants; Ink Design studio; KOHLER; LWK+Partners.

“The INDEX Design Talks were a great way to connect with the local design community and local design colleagues to talk about important issues affecting our industry. It is a great opportunity to connect!” said Marc Cerone, Senior Interior Architecture Director, Red Sea Global speaker at the INDEX Design Talks.

Featuring a theatre designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants, Unidecor and Advance Furniture, the INDEX Design Talks theatre design was inspired by Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscape and was used to elevate attendees’ experience.

Finally, the Lighting Design and Technology Summit, the first of its kind dedicated lighting summit in Saudi Arabia, brought together thought-leaders to explore cutting-edge strategies and gain industry insights through focused sessions around the importance of quality lighting, challenges, and the future business outlook.

This year’s speakers included those from CD+M Lighting Design Group; ZKLD Lighting Studio; Light Fusion; Diriyah Gate ‍Development Authority; Lutron Electronics; SAZAR DESIGN; dpa lighting consultants; HLB Lighting, and Light Bureau.

According to Giovanni Zambri, Project Design Director at SMITH TAIT, one of the speakers at this year’s Lighting Design & Technology Summit, the summit proved to be an educational and inspiring experience for professionals in the field, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future in lighting design.

“The Lighting Design & Technology Summit was an enlightening gathering that highlighted the industry’s cutting-edge innovations. Focused on sustainable and visually appealing lighting solutions, the summit provided a platform to showcase the latest technological and design advancements. Renowned industry leaders offered valuable insights into the integration of smart lighting systems, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental awareness. Attendees left with valuable knowledge on creating captivating and efficient lighting designs.” he said.

The Hotel & Hospitality Expo, INDEX Saudi Arabia, and the Lighting Design & Technology Expo is back in the Kingdom next year, taking place from the 17^th – 19^th September at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre.

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