10 September 2026, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Honoring Excellence in the Events Industry at the Saudi Event Awards
The Saudi Event Awards 2026 will bring together the who’s who of the MICE and live events industry in Saudi Arabia to honour outstanding individuals, teams, and companies that have delivered groundbreaking experiences across the Kingdom.
Event Update:
The Saudi Event Awards 2026 shortlist is now live, celebrating the standout individuals, teams, and organisations shaping the region’s events industry. Join us at the Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner on 10 September 2026 at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh.
The Saudi Event Awards 2026 Shortlist Is Live
The official shortlist for the Saudi Event Awards is now LIVE, showcasing a strong pool of entries that reflect the continued dedication and resilience of the kingdom’s events industry. Click here to view the full list.
A key moment in the industry calendar, the Awards bring the events community together to celebrate outstanding achievements. Join us at the awards ceremony and gala dinner on 10 September 2026 at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh.
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Award Categories
30+
Expert Judges
1
Unforgettable Evening
Experience the Saudi Event Awards!
Building on the legacy of excellence established by the Middle East Event Awards since 2009, we’ve brought this prestigious platform to the Kingdom to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements shaping Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing events industry.
For over 15 years, the Middle East Event Awards have honoured the individuals, teams, and companies who push creative boundaries, deliver unforgettable experiences, and set new standards of excellence across the region. Now, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, innovation, and ambition driving the Kingdom’s event scene.
Returning for its 2nd edition, the Saudi Event Awards are open to event professionals, agencies, suppliers, and venues across the Kingdom, offering an unparalleled opportunity to:
- Gain prestigious industry recognition
- Elevate your profile and enhance your reputation
- Inspire others with your outstanding work
- Connect with a network of leading event professionals
This is your moment to be part of history as we celebrate those transforming Saudi Arabia into a global destination for world-class events.
We can’t wait to discover your outstanding work and celebrate your success at the Saudi Event Awards 2026.
Important Dates
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Entry Deadline (closed)
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Shortlist Announcement
Thursday, 10 September 2026
Awards Ceremony
2026 Award Categories
Key Tracks
- Arts, Entertainment & Festivals: Covers arts, culture, music, festivals, and entertainment.
- Corporate, Community & Marketing: Includes corporate meetings, community events, exhibitions, social events, and marketing campaigns.
- Event Design & Experience: Covers event space design, stand construction, and temporary venues.
- Event Services & Suppliers: Encompasses logistics, recruitment, venues, and other service providers.
- Event Technology & Innovation: Focuses on technological innovations, sustainability, light and sound, video solutions, and cutting-edge advancements.
- People & Teams: Highlights agencies, employers, and exceptional team and individual achievements.
Categories Overview
The Saudi Event Awards celebrates the best in the region's thriving events industry. With six key award tracks and a variety of categories, the platform is open to a broad range of professionals and organisations.
Arts, Entertainment & Festivals
💠 Best Arts and Culture Event
💠 Best Entertainment Production
💠 Best Festival of the Year
💠 Best Music Event
💠 Best Sporting Event
Corporate, Community & Marketing
💠 Best Association/Corporate Meeting
💠 Best Community Event
💠 Best Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
💠 Best Exhibition of the Year less than 10,000 sqm
💠 Best Exhibition of the Year more than 10,000 sqm
💠 Best Social Event
💠 Outstanding Brand Activation Event
Event Design & Experience
💠 Best Event Space Design & Décor
💠 Best Stand Design & Build
💠 Best Temporary Venue or Structure
Event Services & Suppliers
💠 Best Event Logistics Provider of the Year
💠 Best Event Recruitment Agency
💠 Best Staffing Agency
💠 Best Supplier of the Year
💠 Best Venue
Event Technology & Innovation
💠 Best Light & Sound Solution
💠 Best Sustainability Initiative
💠 Best Use of AI at an Event (NEW!)
💠 Best Use of Technology at an Event
💠 Best Video Solution
People & Teams
💠 Best Employer of the Year
💠 Best Event Agency
💠 Event Team of the Year (NEW!)
💠 Young Achiever of the Year
MEET THE JUDGES
Meet the industry leaders, innovators and experts responsible for evaluating this year's entries and recognising the very best of Saudi Arabia's events industry.
Abdullah Al-Eesa
Head of Events
SIDF
Abdullah Alzahrani
Event Senior Manager
Riyadh Airports Company (RAC)
Ajay Bhojwani
Regional Managing Director
MCI Group
Antony Parham
Executive Creative Director
LINKVIVA
Azza Hegazi
Head of Global Brand Experience
Snap - MENA
Benoit Honnart
CEO
THA by ARMONIA
Brian Lee Morgan
Head of Events
Energia
Bruno Marx
CEO
EventKnowHow
Cecilia Pitre
Hospitality & Cross-Cultural Marketing Strategist
KINGDOM HUB
Darren Kerr
Director
Dawn Dennis
Executive Director
Pico International
Derrin Brown
Founder
The Global Alchemy
Dharam Kapoor
CEO & Founder
Advisors 360
Donna Hyland
General Manager
GES Middle East
Dr. Eihab H. Abou-Rokbah
CEO
Saudi Entertainment & Event Management Academy
James Morgan
Principal Consultant - Tourism & Leisure
Jadarah Business Consulting
Joanna Bates
Business Development Manager
Ethara
John Jossifakis
Head of Events & Ceremonies
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Local Organizing Committee
Kevin Brown
Events Planning & Reporting Director
Kinga Hutchinson
Founder
22 Productions LLC
Lili Khanbashi
Strategic Advisor & Founder
Unicorn Jack
Mashary A. Alkhayyat
Chairman of the Advisory Committee
Saudi Exhibitions and Conferences Association (SECA)
Mayada Maged
Managing Partner
Staff Arabia HRO Group
Mohammed Al- Mandiel
General Manager of Events & Heritage Programs
Heritage Commission - Ministry of Culture
Naji El Haddad
Regional Director
UFI
Nisreen Baidas
Cluster Director of Events Sales & Planning
Hyatt The Red Sea
Raluca Istrate
Sustainability Manager
Informa - EMEA
Ryouf Al-Rumaih
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Nithar
Silvia Guenzi
General Manager
Balich Wonder Studio MENA
Sujoy Cherian
CEO - Creative Technologist
Option One Design Studio
Thomas Staunton
Global Event Specialist
SoldOut Events
Waleed Katoor
Business Development Director
Memories Events Management
Yahya Hazazi
Faculty Member
TVTC, SEA
Yvonne Hoffzimmer
Chief Operating Officer
Designlab Experience
Ziad Ghaloul
CEO- Founder
Buildup
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