The New Era: A Round Table Discussion on how Sports, Culture, Tourism and Entertainment are Defining the Future of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a cultural revolution, nurturing the development of an entertainment and sports ecosystem that scant existed only a few years back. It is against this backdrop that The Business Year presents a special report discussing sports, culture, tourism, and entertainment. The report will shine a spotlight on those who form this crucial aspect of wider economic diversification plans.

In 2018, the Quality of Life Program was launched to directly impact the life of local communities and add a new spoke to a growing economic wheel. The changes are coming at breakneck speed, both the public and private sectors have whirred into action, and are currently set about pioneering cultural, entertainment, and sports initiatives with the aim of not only entertaining locals, but drawing in tourists to the Kingdom.

The economic returns of continued success should be obvious to all, with jobs and new revenue streams just the tip of the iceberg for a Saudi government that hopes growing soft power could be a powerful economic tool long term.

Throughout this special report, and at this event, we will tell the story of the birth of a sector through the words of the leaders who are busy trying to make it a success, including a number of foreign investors, heads of government authorities, and figures involved in the development of the well-known “gigaprojects” that are placing Saudi Arabia’s ambitions prominently into news feeds around the world. And now the starting gun has been fired, anything could happen.

Special Report: The New Era, How Sports, Culture, Tourism and Entertainment are Defining the Future of Saudi Arabia will be officially launched on this special occasion.

Program

5:45 Welcome & Networking

6:30 Introduction to Special Report: Alena Hakansson, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia, The Business Year

6:35 Welcome Speech: Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Al-Anbar, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Quality of Life Program

6:40 Panel and Q&A

Panellists:

Khalid Alkhudair, CEO, SMC

Jason Margetts, Group Chief Sales Officer, ROSHN

Neal Coupland, Sport Partnerships Director, NEOM

7:25 Fireside Chat – Alena Hakansson, Managing Director Saudi Arabia, The Business Year with:

Donal McElwee, Partner and Head of Middle East and Africa, Portas Consulting

7:50 Closing Remarks: Hussein Alabdulkader, Secretary General, Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC)

7:55 A Thank You Note from Lucia Sanchez, Country Manager, The Business Year

8:00 Networking