Strong international demand leads to sell-out of second world defense show

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The World Defense Show has announced that all exhibitor spaces have been completely sold out, five months ahead of the second edition, scheduled to take place from Feb. 4 to 8, 2024, in Riyadh. In anticipation of the increased demand, the show’s footprint at the bespoke exhibition site has been expanded by 25%, including the addition of a third hall, yet the event remains oversubscribed.

CEO of the World Defense Show, Andrew Pearcey, expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “We are delighted to announce that our exhibition space is entirely sold out. If you are not already an exhibitor, we urge you to register as a visitor to ensure your participation in our exciting content programs, show features, and live demonstrations, and to experience our unique Journey to the Future.”

Pearcey also highlighted the strong international representation at the show next year, with 65 countries participating as exhibitors, including 23 appearing for the first time.

He explained: “This further solidifies our position as the emerging global hub for the defense industry. Our inaugural event took place in 2022, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet we still welcomed over 65,000 attendees from around the world and announced deals exceeding SR29.6 billion [$7.89 billion] over the four days. With the show now running over five days and growing international interest in the Saudi defense market, we expect to significantly increase attendance and the value of deals announced in 2024.”

The event offers a diverse range of opportunities for industry-wide networking, facilitating relationships and partnerships among stakeholders across the defense and security supply chain.

WDS 2024 will reintroduce the Delegations Program, connecting high-ranking international government representatives with exhibitors seeking to expand into their specific country markets. Additionally, the Meet the KSA Government program will provide insights into the Kingdom’s business guidelines, investment requirements, and partnership processes in alignment with the national defense industry’s objectives.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the extended B2B Connect program, open to both visitors and exhibitors. Running over three days, B2B Connect offers a unique opportunity for reputable suppliers to connect with global buyers and official delegations.

New to WDS 2024 is the Space Arena, a dedicated section of the show showcasing the latest space capabilities and technologies. It aims to underscore the strategic ambitions of Saudi Arabia in space exploration and identify potential space opportunities for the Kingdom and international partners.