Saudi Arabia is set to host LEAP 2024, the most populous global technology event, from March 4 to 7 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham. The organizers unveiled ‘Into New Worlds’ as the theme for this year’s event, signaling a deep dive into the realm of cutting-edge technology and its boundless opportunities.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Tahaluf Co., the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, and Monsha’at, the authority on Small and Medium Enterprises, are the forces behind the organization of this grand event.
Michael Champion, the CEO of Tahaluf, highlighted the event’s vision, stating, “‘Into New Worlds’ exemplifies the way technology is pioneering new frontiers across various sectors, unlocking opportunities we once deemed impossible.”
Artificial intelligence will be a central topic at LEAP, with industry leaders discussing its applications and transformative potential. Over the span of four days, the event will explore an array of subjects from educational to retail tech, fintech, health tech, and the intricacies of smart cities and future energy within the context of the fourth industrial revolution.
FAST FACTS
- Anticipation for over 600 startups and 172,000 participants, including more than 1,800 international tech exhibitors.
- The conference will showcase 1,000+ technology companies and feature over 1,000 expert speakers from 180 nations.
- LEAP 2024 boasts a venue 170 percent larger than the previous year to accommodate its extensive program.
- Key industry topics to be discussed on various stages, such as the investor and main stages.
The conference anticipates a significant turnout with giants like Google, Microsoft, and Oracle, alongside Dell, Cisco, Avaya, SAP, ServiceNow, and Amazon Web Services. Participants will also see representations from IBM, Alibaba, and Huawei.
Haitham Al-Ohali, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, is ready to welcome a global congregation of thought leaders and innovators. Al-Ohali emphasized the critical juncture at which AI is poised to revolutionize economic and social frameworks.
Champion conveyed the growing global interest in Saudi Arabia as a pivotal economy, with an estimated 70,000 international registrations, many of whom will be visiting the Kingdom for the first time. According to Champion, LEAP offers a unique networking platform for meeting decision-makers and forging new alliances.
Esteemed speakers at the event include Angela Kane, Borje Ekholm of Ericsson, and IBM’s Arvind Krishna, alongside other luminaries like Estonia’s Ott Velsberg, Philippe Rambach of Schneider Electric, Pekka Lundmark of Nokia, and Martin Vilig from Bolt.
As per Champion, the attendance of CEOs from leading global companies underscores Saudi Arabia’s influential role as a technological and investment change-maker.
Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, envisions the third iteration of LEAP cementing the Kingdom’s status as an innovation and technology nexus, attracting substantial investments to the region.
The event will facilitate numerous business deals and agreements through dedicated signing stations. Champion remarked on the billions of dollars in projects and significant MoUs that are typically announced at LEAP, leveraging the event as a commercial platform.
Last year’s edition witnessed over $11 billion in deals, with 172,000 attendees contributing to its status as the premier tech conference globally. The upcoming LEAP will host 10 stages, including live broadcasts of main stage sessions on social media platforms, and will feature various technology aspects like health, education, and e-commerce.
Investor stage dialogues will cover innovative investment opportunities and intersections of technology with government and finance. The Startup Stage will host speakers like Emon Shakoor and Supreet Singh Manchanda, discussing startup growth and pioneering innovations.
The Rocket Fuel Pitch competition is set to return, offering a prize pool exceeding $1 million across multiple categories, celebrating outstanding startups and fostering innovation.
Muteb Al-Qani, CEO of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, is committed to delivering a unique experience to visitors, by bringing together top speakers and tech experts from across the globe.
“This event is designed to empower global technology; thus, the forthcoming edition will unite the largest tech corporations, startups, and investors, potentially initiating a myriad of investments and product launches,” stated Al-Qani.