The Middle East & North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC) staged a two-day seminar and networking event entitled Focus on Saudi Arabia last month in the kingdom’s capital of Riyadh.
The get-together on December 5/6 attracted over 110 delegates, comprising leading industry professionals from the MENA region, as well as amusement suppliers from Europe and the USA. The main objective of the event was to provide an understanding the new opportunities that await as Saudi Arabia sets out to transform its leisure and attractions offer.
The seminar programme included a keynote presentation from Mohannad Abanomy, the infrastructure development director of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the regulatory authority spearheading the change as a part of the Vision 2030 strategy for the kingdom.
“We foresee a very bright future for the industry and its players,” said Mr Abanomy. “The seminar was a platform for us to invite and build fruitful connections with many regional and international experts to support our future growth”.
A CEO panel discussion followed, featuring contributions from Fahad Al Othaim (Al Othaim Leisure), Mishal Al Hokair (Al Hokair Group) and Ghada Al Rashid (GEXPO). This was moderated by MENALAC secretary general, Prakash Vivekanand. A magnificent gala dinner was hosted the same evening by Majed Al Hokair at his private palace.
Day two of the networking event saw delegates embark on an intensive half-day visit to local entertainment locations including Al Hokair Land, Snow City, Saffori Land, VOX cinemas, Magic Planet, Sparky’s at the Panorama Mall and Al Hokair Time. The programme culminated with a multi course lunch hosted by Fahad Al Othaim at the Al Othaim Palace.
A full report on the MENALAC event will follow in the January/February 2019 issue of Interpark.
