Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Riyadh International Industry Week is set to take place from 26 to 29 April 2027 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. This event will host four major industrial trade shows, bringing together over 16,000 leaders from the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
It serves as a pivotal platform for networking and exploring innovative solutions that drive the industrial landscape in the MENA region. Riyadh International Industry Week takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
TL;DR
- 1Scale and Focus: This event connects over 16,000 industrial sector leaders across four major trade shows.
- 2Organiser: The event is organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company, known for hosting significant industrial exhibitions.
- 3Buyer Authority: Attendees include regional and international leaders in manufacturing, logistics, and packaging.
- 4Entry: Registration is available online; confirm details on the official website.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights into the latest technologies and solutions in the industrial sector, network with key industry players, and explore business opportunities in the rapidly growing MENA market. The event features a diverse range of exhibitors and sessions tailored to enhance operational efficiency and innovation.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Riyadh International Industry Week provides unparalleled access to a targeted audience of industry leaders and decision-makers. This event connects over 16,000 industrial sector leaders across four major trade shows. Attendees include regional and international leaders in manufacturing, logistics, and packaging.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Plant, operations and manufacturing directors from Saudi and wider GCC factories sourcing production machinery, automation and MRO
Procurement and category managers from FMCG, retail and industrial groups building 2027-2028 capex supplier shortlists
Supply chain, warehousing and logistics leads from 3PLs, freight forwarders, distributors and e-commerce fulfilment teams
Plastics and petrochemical processors evaluating compounding, moulding, extrusion and recycling equipment
Packaging converters and brand-owner packaging engineers looking at filling, labelling and sustainable material options
Maintenance, reliability and process engineers specifying controls, sensors, drives and spare parts
Government and giga-project industrial development teams scouting In-Kingdom suppliers and local content
Technical buyers from food and beverage, pharma and building-materials plants needing hygienic or heavy-duty equipment
Investors, consultants and EPC contractors screening the Saudi industrial pipeline
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Machine builders and distributors for metalworking, plastics, packaging and process equipment
Automation and robotics integrators, control, sensor and drive suppliers
Intralogistics, warehousing and material-handling vendors, including racking and fleet equipment
Freight forwarders, 3PLs and customs brokers serving Saudi inbound and GCC distribution
Polymer producers, compounders and plastics recycling technology providers
Packaging material converters and packaging machinery makers
Industrial software vendors for MES, WMS, TMS and predictive maintenance
Industrial service providers: SASO/SABER conformity, calibration, MRO, training and equipment finance
Plant utility suppliers for compressed air, HVAC, power distribution and water treatment
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Production machinery: CNC machining centres, forming and welding equipment, injection moulding and extrusion lines
Factory automation: industrial robots, PLC/SCADA control, vision inspection, sensors and drives
Logistics and intralogistics: warehouse automation, AS/RS, conveyors, forklifts and fleet telematics
Supply chain technology: WMS/TMS software, track-and-trace, cold-chain monitoring and customs platforms
Plastics and petrochemicals: polymer resins, compounding, moulding, recycling and pelletising equipment
Packaging: filling and labelling lines, cartoning, flexible film, corrugated and sustainable packaging materials
Materials handling and storage: racking, pallets, containers, yard and lifting equipment
Plant utilities and energy: compressors, HVAC, power distribution, water treatment and energy management
Industrial services: MRO, calibration, SASO/SABER certification support, training and equipment finance
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
1RICEC Exhibition Halls
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Facilities
Parking
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center in Riyadh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center in Riyadh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
26 – 29 April 2027:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why it matters
On 2027-04-26 to 2027-04-29, Riyadh International Industry Week in Riyadh covering Industrial machinery and equipment, Logistics and supply chain solutions, Plastics and petrochemical products, Packaging gives packaging buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · SAR
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Riyadh
Primary international gateway serving Riyadh.
to venue
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG
upscale
Near Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center4.3
USD 150–202 / night
Closest captured option to the venue and the easiest walk or short ride to the halls; spa and hot tub listed. Rates captured for the 26-29 April 2027 window, treat as an estimate.
Holiday Inn Riyadh - Olaya by IHG
midscale
Olaya district4.5
USD 150–190 / night
Olaya business district base with pool and free parking, roughly 20-35 minutes by taxi to RICEC depending on traffic; good for evening meetings and dining.
Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District by IHG
midscale
Riyadh business district4.8
USD 150–190 / night
Highest guest rating among the captured IHG options; pool and free parking noted. Useful for exhibitor teams wanting a mid-priced base within taxi range of the venue.
Holiday Inn Riyadh - al Qasr by IHG
upscale
Al Qasr4.6
USD 150–202 / night
Spa and hot tub listed; sits at the upper end of the captured band for the show dates. Confirm whether the rate includes breakfast and parking before booking.
InterContinental Riyadh by IHG
luxury
Central Riyadh4.5
USD 230–265 / night
Five-star central option with pool and hot tub; the highest captured nightly band, usually chosen for hosting client dinners rather than proximity to the halls.
Crowne Plaza Riyadh - Al Takhassusi by IHG
upscale
Al Takhassusi4.7
USD 150–202 / night
Pool and free parking listed; strong guest rating for the show dates and a practical pick if RICEC-adjacent rooms sell out.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi / ride-hailing
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forRiyadh (RUH) to Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
About 39 km and 30-40 minutes via Route 539 and Airport Road in typical traffic; luggage and peak-hour surcharges can push the fare up.
metro + bus
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forAirport corridor to the exhibition center via Riyadh Metro Line 4 with a bus connection
Captured route planner sample showed about 48 minutes door to door including the bus leg; workable with hand luggage only.
metro (multi-line)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forAirport area to the exhibition center via Metro 4, Metro 6 and Metro 2
About 58 minutes with two changes in the captured sample; check first and last train times before late meetings.
chauffeur transfer
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forKing Khalid International Airport to RICEC exhibition center (pre-booked)
Private transfer operators advertise direct airport-to-RICEC chauffeur service with meet-and-greet; useful for teams arriving with demo equipment or late at night.
city taxi / ride-hailing short hop
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forOlaya, Al Qasr or Al Takhassusi hotels to RICEC
Hotel-to-venue hops run 20-35 minutes; book the return trip before the hall closes to avoid the late-afternoon surge.
hotel shuttle / event transfer
Estimated costUsually free when offered by the hotel or organiser, confirm with your booking desk
Best forPartner hotels to RICEC gates
Some Riyadh hotels near exhibition venues run scheduled shuttles during large shows; ask at reservation rather than assuming a service exists.
Weather
Late April in Riyadh is late spring: hot, dry, sunny days with typical highs around 33-40 C and nights near 20-25 C, plus a small chance of a dusty shamal wind episode. Rain is rare in this window, so heat and dust are the real planning factors. Open-Meteo air-quality readings for the venue coordinates showed elevated particulate levels (PM2.5 around 151.8 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 around 1445.4), derived from a public forecast API rather than on-site sensors - sensitive attendees should check local advisories before travelling and treat forecasts as indicative.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
STC, Mobily and Zain are the main Saudi mobile operators and 5G coverage across Riyadh is broad. Buy an eSIM before departure or a tourist SIM with your passport at King Khalid International Airport, and check data prices on operator sites. Hotel and RICEC hall Wi-Fi are normally available but shared and slower during peak show hours, so plan a local data plan for live demos, video calls and lead scanning. Business cards and QR-based lead capture both work well; ask exhibitors for English or Arabic catalogues.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dress and business etiquette
Riyadh is a conservative business city: modest business attire is expected in exhibition halls, hotels and meetings. Handshakes are common in business settings; follow your host's lead on greetings and use titles until invited otherwise.
Working week and prayer times
The Saudi working week runs Sunday to Thursday, and the 26-29 April 2027 show dates fall Monday to Thursday. Shops and some services briefly close at prayer times, so allow buffer around meetings and plan hall visits between prayer breaks.
Alcohol, food and hospitality
Alcohol is not served in Riyadh, and business hospitality usually centers on meals, coffee and tea. Halal food is standard; ask about dietary needs when confirming restaurant bookings for client dinners.
Photography and phones
Photograph exhibits and public spaces freely with exhibitor permission, but avoid photographing people without consent and never shoot government, security or religious sites. Keep a charged phone for QR badges and lead-capture apps.
Registration and access
Confirm visitor or exhibitor registration and venue access with the organiser at riyadhiiw.com before flying in, and arrive early on the opening morning for badge and security checks at RICEC.
Tipping and payments
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; keep SAR cash for taxis and small vendors. Service charges are often included, and a small tip is optional but appreciated.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: RUH
Google Flights quotes captured for a 26-29 April 2027 round trip in economy, one adult, showing taxes and fees but not optional bags: Dubai from SAR 960, London from SAR 2,258, Singapore from SAR 2,703, New York from SAR 3,192, Tokyo from SAR 3,765 and Sydney from SAR 4,367. Riyadh fares were flagged as typical or high for the period, so book early for the show week and re-check roughly 8-12 weeks out. Direct Gulf carriers give the shortest travel times; long-haul routings usually need one or two connections, and fares for April 2027 are indicative only until ticketed.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Riyadh (RUH): Primary international gateway serving Riyadh.. Allow road or rail time to Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center: Near Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center: Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG; Olaya district: Holiday Inn Riyadh - Olaya by IHG; Riyadh business district: Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District by IHG.
Ride-hail: Uber and Careem are the widely used ride-hailing apps in Riyadh, with airport pick-up zones clearly signed at King Khalid International Airport. Fares to RICEC are typically in the SAR 110-160 range from the airport and SAR 40-80 for district-to-venue hops. Confirm the app works with your roaming or eSIM data plan before you land, and keep the Arabic venue name or a pinned map location to share with drivers.
Public transit: The Riyadh Metro network, including Line 4 on the airport corridor, plus city buses offer a low-cost way to reach the exhibition area, with single journeys in the region of a few riyals. Journeys usually involve a metro-to-bus or metro-to-taxi connection and take about 45-60 minutes from the airport corridor. Check the route planner for current lines, first and last train times, and whether a day pass or stored-value card suits your stay.
Parking: RICEC has on-site parking at the venue gates, with marshalled access during large shows. Expect the closest lots to fill on the opening morning, so arrive 45-60 minutes early or use ride-hailing drop-off instead. Confirm current daily rates, gate numbers and exhibitor versus visitor parking zones with the venue or organiser before driving.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April 2027 (event dates 26-29 April)
Temperature: Late April in Riyadh is hot and dry, with daytime highs typically around 33-40 C and cooler nights near 20-25 C. Halls and hotels are strongly air-conditioned. Check the forecast close to travel; treat these bands as climatological estimates.
Seasonality: Rainfall is rare in late April, so the main seasonal factors are heat, strong sun and occasional dust or shamal wind episodes rather than rain. Open-Meteo data for the venue area showed elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels during the forecast window; sensitive travellers should check local air-quality advisories before flying.
Packing: Pack light, breathable business wear, comfortable shoes for long hall days, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Bring a light layer or jacket for strongly air-conditioned halls and meeting rooms, and a mask for dusty days if you are sensitive to particulates. Smart business dress works for both the exhibition floor and evening client dinners.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Riyadh International Industry Week usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 1
Book flights into King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and a hotel in the RICEC, Olaya or Riyadh business district cluster for 25-30 April 2027.
Day 2
Check or apply for your Saudi visa - business visit visas normally need a Saudi sponsor and can take one to three weeks.
Day 3
Build a target exhibitor list by hall theme (machinery, automation, logistics, plastics, packaging) and request meetings before the floor gets busy.
Day 4
Save the RICEC location, download a ride-hailing app and check Riyadh Metro routes and operating hours.
Day 5
Send suppliers a one-page brief with your plant size, products and capex timing so meetings start with specifications, not introductions.
Day 6
Confirm which meetings are trade-only and ask for English or Arabic product literature and price indications in SAR in advance.; Set up an eSIM or roaming plan and arrange a mix of cards and SAR cash for taxis and small vendors.
Day 7
Pack modest business attire, light layers for air-conditioned halls, sunglasses and a mask for dusty days; re-check the heat and air-quality forecast.
Day 8
Print the hotel booking, invitation letter and return ticket for immigration, and note your first-day meeting schedule.
Day 9
Aim to arrive at RICEC 45-60 minutes before your first meeting for badge collection and security checks.
Day 10
On site: plan hall routes around prayer breaks and book your taxi or ride-hailing return before the late-afternoon peak.
Day 11
Confirm your visitor registration status and badge type on riyadhiiw.com, and request an invitation letter if your visa application needs one.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Riyadh International Industry Week registration concourse
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nightsSAR 190.00
- Per diem × 2SAR 150.00
Estimated totalSAR 340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Riyadh International Industry Week fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Riyadh International Industry Week, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Industrial machinery and equipment and Logistics and supply chain solutions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Riyadh International Industry Week in Riyadh.
Min. budget
$2,518.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Industrial machinery and equipment and Logistics and supply chain solutions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$11,331.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Riyadh show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is Riyadh International Industry Week 2027?
The 2027 edition runs 26-29 April 2027 at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is a four-day, Monday to Thursday window that matches the Saudi Sunday-Thursday working week.
Which industries does Riyadh IIW cover?
The programme spans industrial machinery and production equipment, factory automation and controls, logistics and supply chain technology, plastics and petrochemical processing, and packaging materials and machinery, with industrial services such as certification, MRO and financing alongside.
Who should attend Riyadh International Industry Week?
Attend if you specify, buy or distribute industrial equipment in Saudi Arabia or the GCC: plant and operations managers, procurement leads, supply chain and 3PL managers, packaging and plastics converters, process and maintenance engineers, and government or giga-project industrial teams.
How do I register as a visitor for Riyadh IIW 2027?
Registration is handled by the organiser through riyadhiiw.com. Check the visitor registration page for the badge types on offer and whether your profile needs trade credentials, then keep the confirmation and any invitation letter with your travel documents.
How do I get from King Khalid International Airport to RICEC?
RUH is roughly 39 km and 30-40 minutes by car from the exhibition center in typical traffic. A metered taxi or ride-hailing trip is approximately SAR 110-160, a pre-booked chauffeur transfer is usually higher, and the Riyadh Metro plus a short taxi or bus hop takes about 45-60 minutes. Confirm live fares before travel.
Where should exhibitors and visitors stay in Riyadh?
The tightest option is the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention next to the venue. Olaya, the Riyadh business district, Al Qasr and Al Takhassusi hold most four and five star IHG and international brands, roughly 20-35 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, with nightly rates in the SAR 560-995 band for the show dates.
What is the weather like in Riyadh in late April?
Hot, dry and sunny, with daytime highs typically 33-40 C and nights around 20-25 C. Rain is rare, but dust and elevated particulate levels occur; check air-quality advisories before travelling if you have respiratory sensitivity.
What visa do I need for a Saudi trade show?
Most foreign nationals need a visa before arrival. Business visitors usually travel on a commercial visit visa sponsored by a Saudi host company, or on the tourist e-visa if their nationality is eligible. Apply well ahead and carry an invitation letter, hotel booking and return ticket.
What should I wear and how should I plan around prayer times?
Modest business attire is the norm in Riyadh exhibition halls and hotels - suits or smart business dress for meetings, comfortable shoes for hall walking. The working week is Sunday to Thursday and shops or services may briefly close at prayer times, so allow buffer around meetings and hall visits.
Can I use cards and ride-hailing apps in Riyadh?
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but keep some SAR cash for taxis and small vendors. Uber and Careem are the common ride-hailing apps; the Riyadh Metro and city buses give a low-cost alternative for some routes.
Glossary
- Riyadh International Industry Week (Riyadh IIW)
- The umbrella industrial event held at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, grouping manufacturing, automation, logistics, plastics and packaging exhibits under one visitor badge.
- RICEC
- Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, the exhibition venue in Riyadh where the 2027 edition runs 26-29 April.
- Vision 2030 industrial diversification
- Saudi Arabia's national programme to grow non-oil manufacturing and logistics; it is the policy backdrop most exhibitors reference when discussing Saudi factory investment.
- In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA)
- A Saudi local-content scoring framework used by energy and industrial buyers; suppliers are often asked how much of their product, service and workforce will be localised.
- Saudi Made
- The national marking programme for goods manufactured in Saudi Arabia; relevant when discussing local assembly or licensing with Saudi partners.
- SASO and SABER
- Saudi standards authority and its online conformity platform; industrial and consumer products entering Saudi Arabia usually need certificates of conformity issued through SABER before customs clearance.
- Polyolefins and polymer conversion
- The plastics value chain behind much of the region's petrochemical output: resin producers make polyolefins, converters turn them into film, pipe, mouldings and packaging.
- Intralogistics
- Material flow inside a warehouse or plant - conveyors, automated storage and retrieval, AGVs, racking and warehouse control software - a core exhibit family for supply chain buyers.
- Cold chain
- Temperature-controlled movement and storage for food, pharma and chemicals; covers refrigerated transport, monitoring sensors and cold-store equipment.
- MRO
- Maintenance, repair and operations - consumables, spare parts and service contracts that keep a production line running between capex purchases.
- 3PL
- Third-party logistics provider, a company that runs warehousing, transport and fulfilment for another business; a major visitor group for the logistics halls.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Riyadh International Industry Week 2027
- Riyadh IIW 2027 dates
- Saudi logistics and supply chain expo
- Saudi plastics and packaging expo
- factory automation Saudi Arabia 2027
- Riyadh industry week visitor registration
- Riyadh industry week exhibitor list
- Vision 2030 industrial events Riyadh
Trust footer
Sources
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Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.