The industry’s leading trade fairs, K, interpack and drupa, are further expanding their international reach by jointly entering the Saudi Arabian market. This step is made possible by the expanded partnership between Messe Düsseldorf and the Riyadh Exhibition Company. The Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack exhibitions will be expanded to include regional editions of K, interpack and drupa.
Saudi Arabia is currently showcasing the dynamic and diverse development of the Middle Eastern economy. From 12 to 15 May, the Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) is hosting the Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack trade shows, featuring over 500 exhibitors from the petrochemical, plastics, print, and packaging industries.
The trade fair quartet, whose exhibitor numbers have climbed by 70% since 2018, offers perfect touchpoints for Messe Düsseldorf. Prince Saud Turki Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, chairman of REC, and Wolfram N Diener, president & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate K, interpack and drupa into future Saudi Plastics & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack events.
For decades, K, interpack, and drupa have stood for innovation, international appeal, and strong momentum in their respective sectors. Today, they continue to embody these values as they join forces in Saudi Arabia – a market with high growth potential – to harness synergies and create added value. Their new presence in Riyadh is a strategic addition to Messe Düsseldorf’s global portfolio – ‘K Global Gate,’ the ‘interpack alliance,’ and ‘drupa global’ represent international reach across plastics and rubber, processing and packaging, and print technologies.
Tie-ins with Düsseldorf’s trade show portfolio
Wolfram N Diener emphasized the significance of this decision, “We are in the right place at the right time. Our commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing trade show markets reinforces our position as one of the most successful trade show companies worldwide. More and more, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diversifying their economies, which creates numerous links to our broad trade show portfolio as well as new potential for our customers.”
Strong economic growth in the Middle East
This is reflected in the economic data for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). According to the consulting firm jwc, their annual growth rate of 6% until 2029 is higher than both the EU (3%) and the global average (5%).
Messe Düsseldorf drives momentum in Gulf
REC chief operating officer Akram Masri said, “Our trade shows evolved successfully in recent years. The fact that they are now part of Messe Düsseldorf’s international portfolio – alongside global number one trade shows such as K, drupa and interpack – underscores the growing significance of our market. At the same time, we expect the collaboration to generate significant momentum for our events.”
Previous steps
The current new-business activities are not Messe Düsseldorf’s first foray into the region. Since 2007, K has been in a successful partnership with ArabPlast in Dubai. And with the interpack alliance shows pacprocess MEA and Food Africa Cairo, Messe Düsseldorf has been advancing its business in Egypt – the link between the Middle East and Africa – since 2019.
In addition, a new subsidiary joined Messe Düsseldorf’s global network in 2024 – in Türkiye, the bridge between Europe and the Middle East. The recent offensive in Saudi Arabia and in Dubai, where the new Messe Düsseldorf Gulf Office is based, marks the logical next step.
