Jun 23, 2025
The Saudi events scene isn’t just growing, it’s glowing.
From mega expos in Riyadh to immersive brand pop-ups in NEOM, the Kingdom is fast becoming a regional testbed for experiential tech. Driven by Vision 2030 and a hyper-connected audience, brands, agencies, and ministries are racing to craft experiences that feel futuristic, but happen now.
So, what’s actually working on the ground in 2025? Here are the top 5 experiential tech trends you need to know, especially if you’re designing for Saudi audiences this year.
1. Metaverse Extensions for Physical Events
Metaverse isn't just hype here; it’s how Saudi scales events.
Whether it’s a tech conference in Riyadh or a pavilion at the World Defense Show, brands are increasingly mirroring their physical spaces in digital 3D environments. These aren't pixelated gimmicks; they’re immersive, real-time, and often better than the in-person versions.
NEOM and Diriyah Gate are already using digital twins to engage foreign investors pre-development.
Government bodies like MCIT and MiSK host virtual summits with metaverse-style lobbies, gamified booths, and avatar networking.
Why it works:
Saudi’s young, digitally native audience (over 70% under 35) expects access from anywhere. And for international VIPs who can’t travel, a metaverse presence removes all friction.
2. Augmented Reality that Actually Adds Value
AR has matured, from gimmicky filters to purpose-built storytelling.
Now, it’s all about contextual AR layers that guide, inform, and immerse:
Walk into a booth and scan a QR code to trigger AR holograms explaining a product.
AR-enabled wayfinding at large-scale events like LEAP or Cityscape helps visitors navigate sprawling venues.
Cultural festivals and national days now use markerless AR to overlay heritage stories on buildings and landmarks.
What’s changed?
AR isn’t “just cool”; it’s solving real problems in crowd navigation, content delivery, and multilingual engagement.
3. Spatial Storytelling with Immersive Rooms
This is a big one.
Imagine walking into a dark room where motion-triggered projections, scent diffusers, and spatial audio guide you through the journey of a giga-project or national mission. That’s the kind of multi-sensory, theatrical storytelling Saudi audiences are experiencing today.
Riyadh Season 2024 featured several such installations blending real footage, 3D maps, and atmospheric design.
Brands are commissioning 360° LED rooms, dome theaters, and immersive timelines for product launches, historical exhibits, and future-city visions.
Why now?
As more pavilions compete for attention at high-stakes events like GITEX or FII, immersive equals memorable.
4. Real-Time Interactive Installations
Static booths are out. Dynamic, data-driven installations are in.
From gesture-controlled LED walls to live social media feeds projected in Arabic calligraphy, interactive tech is now table stakes. Audiences don’t just view the brand, they touch it, talk to it, and often become part of the activation.
At LEAP 2025, several exhibitors used live biometric scanning to personalize experiences.
Smart booths are collecting data in real-time, heat maps, sentiment analysis, dwell time, and even “vibe” scoring based on expression tracking.
What’s driving this?
Measurement. Brands and the government want events to yield real analytics, not just anecdotes.
5. AI-Powered Personalization (Yes, It’s Here Too)
Saudi events are getting personal, thanks to AI.
Whether it’s an event app that recommends booths based on your behavior, or an AI-generated digital concierge that guides VIPs through curated experiences, personalization is the ultimate differentiator.
LEAP 2025’s AI engine matched attendees with exhibitors using NLP-based profiles.
Government exhibitions are using AI chatbots in Arabic and English to improve accessibility and engagement.
