How ES:ME is Driving Safety and Efficiency in the Event Industry in Saudi Arabia?

The events industry in Saudi Arabia has emerged as a crucial catalyst for business expansion and industrial diversification. Stay on to find out more about ES:ME expansion journey in Saudi.

The event industry in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach $17.6 billion by 2031, making it a powerful catalyst for driving meaningful transformation in the broader entertainment and leisure (E&L) industry.

By 2030, the E&L sector's GDP contribution will hover around 4.2%. Besides its economic contribution, the E&L industry is supporting local job creation, with estimates suggesting 450,000 jobs by the same year.

This growth signals expansive opportunities for global event firms seeking to strengthen their competitive advantage in a fast-moving entertainment landscape.

Sensing the opportunity, ES:ME, a global leader in event engineering and rigging, recognized the strategic importance of establishing a stronger, on-the-ground presence in Saudi Arabia.

Demand for Higher Efficiency and Safety Increases as Large-Scale Events Surge in Popularity

The uptick in large-scale sports and entertainment events underpins the rising popularity of the Kingdom as an entertainment powerhouse in line with the frameworks of the General Entertainment Authority.

Over the years, leisure tourism in Saudi Arabia has become an economic juggernaut for the travel industry.

According to recent market reports, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 17.5 million tourists between January and July 2024.

Most strikingly, the figure represents a 656% increase in the number of visitors arriving for leisure purposes, reflecting the renewed interest in Saudi as a global entertainment destination.

While ES:ME had served the Saudi market for over a decade from its Dubai and Doha offices, the growing market need for specialized services warranted a business setup in Saudi Arabia.

"With the ambitions of Vision 2030, Saudi needs a variety of professional event supply companies," noted Alexander Wuerfel, CEO of ES:ME.

The company brings comprehensive technical expertise to events, including audio, lighting, video integration, rigging, and scenic design. ES:ME also provides on-site maintenance and technical consultancy, offering end-to-end solutions for event organizers seeking seamless execution.

The company has so far delivered more than 1000 projects in 15 countries across the GCC, Africa, and Asia.

“We bring a wealth of expertise in event engineering and rigging, ensuring even the most challenging installations are executed as safely as possible,” said Alexander Wuerfel, the Group CEO of ES:ME.

ES:ME's Saudi portfolio demonstrates a remarkable versatility. The company has contributed significantly to major productions, including the Noor Riyadh Festival, Saudi National Day celebrations, and WWE entertainment events.

Growth Prospects in the Event Sector in Saudi Arabia Strengthen ES:ME’s First-Mover Advantage

This continued transformation of the event sector has set the stage for growth in the event management space, which is set to expand to $3.45 billion by 2029.

The main growth push to the industry is emerging from the increasing desire for well-operated events, driving a robust demand for seamless and innovative event planning and execution across various event categories.

To cope with the trends, the event industry in Saudi Arabia provides many business expansion opportunities in the event space and adjacent areas, where companies can create long-term value, not just quick gains.

“There has been a significant rise in companies establishing themselves in the market. We are setting up at the right time. Additionally, the market is slowly recognizing the quality we deliver and the price tag attached to it. Particularly when it comes to difficult-access projects and large-scale installations, ” Wuerfel explained.

“The market supplies enough work for all of us. With the ambitions of Vision 2030, Saudi needs a variety of professional event supply companies,” he added.

Successful market entry relies heavily on local knowledge. For ES:ME, this came through a partnership with AstroLabs. Throughout the entire incorporation in Saudi Arabia, AstroLabs's assistance extended beyond mere business setup processes to include regulatory compliance, license renewals, and valuable industry networking opportunities.

This behind-the-scenes support allowed ES:ME to concentrate on carving out a niche for itself in this dynamic sector, especially when it comes to difficult-access installations and large-scale setups.

"Our experience with AstroLabs has been nothing short of exceptional. It's as smooth as a Sunday afternoon walk in the park," he explained.

As more high-profile projects roll into Saudi, ES:ME is establishing new benchmarks not only through technical execution but also by prioritizing safety throughout the event lifecycle.