Creative Industry Summit Heads to Saudi Arabia for Second Edition

The Creative Industry Summit did not arrive fully formed. It grew—organically, strategically, and by design. Founded by Mai Salama and Neamat Khalil, it was never intended as a showcase or a static exhibition. It was built as infrastructure. A system designed to foster collaboration, provoke conversation, and map the evolving contours of the region’s creative economy.

What began in Cairo has now become a network. The summit’s expansion into Saudi Arabia is a deliberate move into one of the fastest-growing creative ecosystems in the world. From May 3rd to 5th, the festival returns to JAX District in Diriyah for its second Saudi edition—scaled up, sharpened, and embedded into the local creative and cultural landscape.
“Our vision since day one was to fuel the creative economy across MENA,” says Neamat Khalil. “Given that Saudi Arabia is home to the most vibrant and rapidly booming creative and cultural industries in the world, it only made sense.”

This isn’t a matter of parachuting in an existing model. The Saudi edition has been shaped with and for the Kingdom’s creative economy, aligning with Vision 2030—which positions entertainment, design, media, and the arts as key drivers of diversification and growth.

“There is no comparison between both countries,” Khalil adds. “Each has its own unique story and ecosystem. But it’s true—creativity is a driver of economic transformation, and this makes the Creative Industry Summit’s Saudi Creativity Festival align naturally with Vision 2030.”
The summit has held 24 editions, featured over 2,400 speakers, and generated more than 280,000 hours of engagement since 2014. It has evolved beyond the conference circuit into something closer to creative infrastructure—where discussions turn into outcomes, and networks become platforms for execution.

This year's edition reflects that evolution. The festival moves away from conventional industry programming. There will be no passive panels or recycled talking points. Instead, JAX District will become a working ecosystem: content labs, immersive brand activations, startup showcases, freelancer hubs, and networking spaces designed for actual engagement.
“At a time when Saudi Arabia and the world are moving at an unprecedented pace, we believe in creating sustainable, future-proof creative solutions that impact business, culture, and society for decades to come,” says Mai Salama. “That’s why our theme this year is ‘Generating for Generations’.”

The programming is designed with multiple entry points—from C-suite executives and brand leaders to emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. High-level masterclasses and workshops will offer tactical insights, while dedicated zones will allow for real-time testing, networking, and collaboration. The summit will also introduce new verticals focused on AdTech and MarTech, pointing toward the role of digital innovation in accelerating creative economies.
“Saudi Arabia is leading a creative renaissance,” Salama notes. “The public and private sectors are aligned in driving cultural and economic diversification. This makes it easy for us to form meaningful partnerships and connect people to real opportunities.”

That alignment has made it possible for the summit to scale quickly—and strategically.

“The Ministry of Media’s dedication to enabling creativity in the Kingdom was instrumental,” says Khalil. “And with as our media partner, we expect unmatched storytelling that amplifies every moment.”
Other key players behind the Saudi edition include MO4 Network, leading dynamic coverage across platforms; Ways, which helped craft the creative vision and brand identity; Tact, driving digital strategy; March, generating regional PR buzz; and TAC Universe, developing the summit’s creative tech layer.

“Supported by this network of partners,” Khalil says, “we’re set to surprise this year’s attendees—and hopefully exceed expectations.”

For brands, sponsorship at the summit is about embedding into the event’s framework. The structure allows companies to integrate directly into festival programming, tapping into the region’s creative energy while contributing to its infrastructure.
“Last year’s Saudi edition drew over 18,000 visitors,” Salama notes. “We had more than 120 speakers, 65 exhibitions and activations, and 35 panels, keynotes, and fireside chats. This year, we’re aiming even higher.”

As creative industries in the region continue to expand, the Creative Industry Summit positions itself as both a meeting point and a launchpad—a space where ideas become action and where creativity isn’t a sideshow, but the main event.