Middle East Trade Summit FAQs

The IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit is a two-day event that includes a Trade Connections area where exhibitors present their product and services, eight insightful education sessions about new projects in the region and key topics like operations, safety, recruiting…, and two EDUTours to Riyadh Boulevard City and Riyadh Boulevard World. The event will take place March 7-8, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event takes place at the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh.

Address: King Fahad Road, Sahafah District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 13315.

Phone number: +966 11 511 7777.

There are three different packages: 

• Full Summit: It is the most complete package with access to Trade Connections section, insightful education conferences, networking opportunities, and two EDUTours. The package fee specifically includes: 
  • Access to Trade Connections area on March 7 and March 8
  • Four conferences out of eight to choose from
  • Two networking lunches
  • Two EDUTours (Riyadh Boulevard City and Riyadh Boulevard World**)
  • Two networking dinners
• Trade Connections Two-Day: This package provide access to the Trade Connections area for two days and four conferences out of eight. It can be upgraded including the two networking lunches at an additional cost
• Trade Connections One-Day: This package provide access to the Trade Connections area for a day and two conferences out of four. It can be upgraded including the a networking lunch at an additional cost

**Subject to change

There are two ways of participation: 

• Exhibitor: presents products and services in a 3x3 booth at the Trade Connections area, have access to education conferences, and participates in the EDUTours (Riyadh Boulevard City and Riyadh Boulevard World**). Due to limited capacity, only one person per company is included in the Trade Partner package. The exhibiting company can add a second staff member to represent their company using regular attendee registration for the second staff member only. The first staff member registration is taken care by the Exhibit Sales team as part of the Trade Partner package. 
• Attendee: benefits from access to the Trade Connections area to learn about the products and services that exhibitors are presenting, and have access to insightful education conferences. If registered to the Full Summit package, attendee will also join two EDUTours (Riyadh Boulevard City and Riyadh Boulevard World**). In order to ensure a healthy facility operator/supplier attendance ratio, there are limitations on number of supplier registrations. For that reason, all attendee registrations are reviewed and require approval. To access attendee registration, click here. 

IAAPA members benefit from special rates in both ways of participating. Not a member yet? Contact [email protected] for more information. 

** Subject to change

IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit is a business event. No one under the age of 18 may take part. Access to the programme is limited to attendees only. 

Participation is not confirmed until IAAPA has received full payment. Please pay your dues latest 10 days after receipt of your invoice, but not later than two weeks prior to the first event day. Your seat will be secured only upon receipt of payment. Thanks for your understanding that we will need to allocate your seat to the next person on the registration list if payment is outstanding after the payment deadline.

All Summit attendees - exhibitors, visitors, and speakers - require an e-visa from eligible countries to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Citizens from 49 countries are eligible to secure an e-Visa through Visit Saudi website.

Visitors from other countries can apply for a consulate visa through Saudi embassies and consulates. Holders of US, UK, or Schengen visas can apply for the visa upon arrival.

The process for applying for your visa is as follows: 

• Click here to start your e-Visa application process
• Complete the application form. You will need to provide personal information including full name, address, date of birth, passport details and travel plans
• Pay the e-Visa fee using a credit or debit card - The cost for the tourist e-Visa upon is SAR535. The visa cost includes a fee for full health insurance during your stay in Saudi.
• Once approved, you will receive the e-Visa by email

The e-Visa will be a one-year, multiple entry visa, allowing tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country.

If you need an invitation letter, please email Janet Doyle – [email protected], and share with her the following details: name, passport number, passport expiry date, country of issue and date of birth.

In addition to the Visa, we have been informed that COVID-19 measures have now been lifted in Saudi Arabia. Proof of vaccination status and PCR test results are no longer required. However, we would recommend to travel with a valid health insurance (that covers you in case of COVID-19) and to bring your Covid pass. 

Do not hesitate to contact your own embassy in order to see if any other health or travel regulations apply.

There are several transportation options from the King Khalid International Airport. Please find here the airport information. And below a list of airport transportation companies as recommended by the event partner GEA. 

• Naylam 

• Satco

• Wofod Care 

• Citys Quares

Please also note that Uber and Careem are also two transportation provider that are commonly used in the country.

IAAPA will follow local regulations in any matter of health and safety.

Dress code for this event is business casual. Please also note that in respect to the local culture and traditions, JW Marriot Hotel Riyadh requests that all individuals entering the hotel must be dressed in either traditional local wear, or smart casual. Shorts, sleeveless tops and sports shirts are not allowed.
We expect spring weather with an average temperature varying between 15 and 27 degrees Celsius. We advise bringing a jacket for the evening as the temperature can be chilly. Please also wear comfortable shoes.

There is no free WiFi available in Saudi Arabia. You will be able to use a dedicated WiFi inside the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh for the IAAPA Middle-East Trade Summit. If you want to access WiFi outside the hotel, we highly recommend to discuss with your phone provider or/and to buy an eSIM card using the app airalo. You will be able to choose your package depending on the location and your needs

No. This event is an exclusive partnership with the General Entertainment Authority.

We understand that the fast-changing circumstances related to COVID-19 regulations make a constant review of cost and travel commitments necessary for everyone. In case IAAPA decides to cancel the event, a full registration fee refund will be applied.

In case attendees decide to cancel their participation the following will apply: a full refund can be offered before Feb. 5, 2023. From Feb. 6-20, 2023 an administrative fee of 50% will be charged. There will be no refunds offered (and no exception considered) from Feb. 21, 2023.

Please note that in the event of cancellation due to government-induced travel restrictions, attendees will be fully refunded if and only if, they can prove that their government has changed the travel regulations after their booking.

Refunds will only be processed on applicable registration fees. Send cancellation requests to [email protected].

By attending this event, you confirm that you have read and agreed with IAAPA Privacy Policy.

The IAAPA EMEA Team is here to support you and provide the important information you need. Please contact the following representatives:

• Trade Connections:
  • [email protected]
  • [email protected]
• Event Logistics:
  • Contact Katia Malnati at [email protected]