GEC NEWS WIRELEAP 2024, the four-day technology conference and exhibition in Riyadh, shattered its attendance records after organisers Tahaluf revealed more than 215,000 visitors descended on Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham for this year’s event – surpassing the attendance figure of Glastonbury festival.
Already the world’s most-attended technology event, LEAP 2024 witnessed a staggering 25 per cent year-on-year rise in visitors – up from 172,000 last year – to further consolidate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s world-leading status as a game-changing accelerator propelling the global technology ecosystem.
And with more than US$14 billion in public and private sector technology sector investments and collaborations announced on-event this year, the long-lasting impact of LEAP – known as the ‘Digital Davos’ – will significantly boost domestic technology infrastructure and propel multi-vertical upskilling and talent incubation opportunities for the country’s youth in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
Speaking at the event’s closing ceremony, His Excellency Faisal Al Khamisi, Chairman of Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), said: “LEAP 2024 has provided over US$ 500m in economic impact to Saudi Arabia. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the visionary leadership of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf – the strategic joint venture between Informa, the Events Investment Fund, and SAFCSP, which organises LEAP alongside Saudi’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, added: “The world has spoken, and the volume is deafening. With a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in footfall, LEAP is playing a critical role in enabling and propelling Saudi Arabia’s position as the world’s undisputed accelerator for holistic technology sector transformation.
“From blockbuster double-digit billion-dollar investments to pioneering technologies, products, and services that are fast-tracking the wholesale adoption of Generative AI, deep tech, and an array of associated verticals across every industry imaginable, LEAP 2024 is the living embodiment of the unparalleled vision and scale of Saudi Arabia’s technology sector ambitions,” added Champion.
During LEAP 2024’s closing ceremony, Champion, who announced LEAP 2025 will take place from 10-13 February at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, promised an even larger event next year.
“We are already finalising plans to expand LEAP into Riyadh city centre next year with a new LEAP NIGHTS concept, with more than 100 major activations by the world’s largest tech brands and leading Saudi entities,” added Champion. “With Saudi Arabia recently announcing it has already achieved its aim of attracting 100 million tourists, we’re not stopping at the event’s show floor – we want LEAP to contribute to the multi-faceted magnetism of this dynamic country.”
