Business events in Jeddah: what is worth attending in 2026–27

Jeddah's business event season runs from October to March, and most of it falls in October to December. Of the ten upcoming Jeddah business events on atndr's calendar for 2026–27, nine take place between 21 October and 16 December 2026. The tenth, Jeddah Construct 2027, runs in March 2027.

November is the peak, with six of the ten events. Two of them, Saudi Franchise Expo Jeddah 2026 and Foodex Saudi 2026, run on the same dates in the same venue.

Dates are the 2026–27 editions as the organizers publish them. The always-current list is on the Jeddah events page.

Jeddah's calendar is built around the industries the city is known for: the Red Sea port, the pilgrim economy, food trade and construction across the Western Region. Pick by sector first, then by format.

Maritime, ports and logistics

Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2026 runs 21–22 October 2026 at the Jeddah Superdome. It is run by Seatrade Maritime (Informa Markets) and combines an exhibition with a conference. The organizer expects 15,000+ attendees, 200+ exhibitors and 120+ speakers from 90+ countries at the 2026 edition, and visitor passes are free. For port authorities, terminal operators and contractors, the smaller International Port & Marine Development Conference runs 9–10 November 2026 at the Jeddah Hilton. Its primary delegate pass for government, developers and contractors is listed at USD 25 + VAT, and vendor delegates pay USD 999 + VAT.

Hajj and Umrah services

The Hajj Conference & Exhibition 2026 is the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's international platform for pilgrim services. The sixth edition runs 8–11 November 2026 at the Superdome, 9:00 to 21:00. It brings Hajj affairs offices, government entities and suppliers of transport, hospitality and technology together.

Food, franchising and packaging

Foodex Saudi 2026 (23–25 November 2026) is the 14th edition of Jeddah's food and drink trade show. The organizer describes it as a meeting point for 20,000+ trade buyers and 800+ brands from 50+ countries. It is for trade professionals, not the public. Saudi Franchise Expo Jeddah 2026 runs on the same dates in the same venue and is the first of two editions this season; the Riyadh edition follows on 26–28 January 2027. PAPER-ME KSA 2026 (16–18 November 2026) covers paper, tissue, packaging, printing and plastics machinery.

Construction

Jeddah Construct 2027 runs 22–24 March 2027. It is dmg events' construction show for the Western Region and part of The Big 5 portfolio. The organizer expects 200+ exhibitors from 25+ countries and 13,000+ professionals at the 2027 edition, with free CPD-certified talks.

Water, health and people

IDWS 2026 (14–16 December 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah) is the Saudi Water Authority's fifth water sustainability conference and exhibition. The 19th International Conference on Psychiatry (26–28 November 2026) is a scientific meeting hosted by Al-Sobh Hospital with the Saudi Psychiatric Association; registration costs SAR 400 before 15 October 2026 and SAR 500 after. Workforce Strategy & Leadership Conference 2026 (22 October 2026) is a one-day forum for HR directors and CHROs.

Most of Jeddah's large business events use two venues: the Jeddah Superdome and the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center (JIECC). Conferences move to the big hotels.

The Superdome sits on Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road. The Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress puts it about 20 km from King Abdulaziz International Airport, a 25–30 minute drive in normal traffic, with free parking on site. Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem operate across the city. Check the venue on your badge before you book a hotel: JIECC and the Superdome are different sites.

Riyadh has the bigger calendar and the flagship shows. Jeddah has fewer events, and they lean towards trade, logistics and the pilgrim economy. On atndr, Riyadh lists 49 upcoming business events for the 2026–27 season against Jeddah's 10.

Two practical points follow. First, several JIECC shows run in the evening: Jeddah Construct opens 16:00–22:00 daily and the Saudi Franchise Expo 16:00–23:00. Plan meetings for the evening and keep mornings free. Second, some series run a Jeddah edition and a Riyadh edition, such as the Saudi Franchise Expo. Choose the city whose buyers you want to meet: Jeddah reaches the Western Region, including Makkah (80 km by road) and Madinah (420 km). Riyadh is about 950 km away by road, so most visitors fly between the two. For the Riyadh calendar, read our Riyadh guide.

Sort out your visa, your badge and your hotel before you fly.

• Visa. Saudi Arabia's tourist eVisa is open to citizens of a list of eligible countries through the official eVisa portal. It is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 90 days, and the portal lists events among the permitted activities. If your country is not on the list, the portal directs you to the nearest Saudi embassy. Exhibitors and anyone working at a show should ask the organizer which visa it recommends.
• Makkah and Madinah. Jeddah is the gateway city for pilgrims. If you plan to add Umrah to a business trip, check the current rules for your visa type on the official portals first.
• Badges. Trade exhibitions such as Foodex Saudi, Jeddah Construct and the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress offer free visitor registration for industry professionals. Conferences such as IDWS and the port conference charge for delegate passes. Register online before you travel.
• Hotels. Mid-November 2026 is the busiest stretch, with the Hajj Conference, the port conference, PAPER-ME and Foodex within three weeks. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, close to your venue.
• Working week. Saudi Arabia's working week runs Sunday to Thursday, and evening show hours are common.

Treat a Jeddah trip as one sector week and plan meetings before you land.

1. Stack events by sector. A maritime visitor can cover the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress in October, or the Hajj Conference and the port conference in the same November week.
2. Use the matchmaking tools. Foodex Saudi 2026 runs a business-match programme where buyers book meetings before the show. Other exhibitions run event apps that open a few weeks ahead.
3. Register with a company email. Trade visitor passes are for industry professionals, and some shows do not admit children.
4. Plan around evening hours. When a show opens at 16:00, use the morning for office visits and site tours.
5. Follow up the same week. A short note that mentions your conversation is remembered after a busy show.