Business Space
Conference venues in Saudi Arabia
At the crossroads
SAUDI ARABIA IS A KEY DESTINATION for business travellers working in the Arab world. Its economy is still dominated by oil, but in recent years there has been an effort to liberalise and diversify, and move beyond the dependence on petroleum. The hotels of Riyadh and Jeddah, the two largest cities, are playing their part in Saudi Arabia’s economic development by offering world-class facilities for conferences and events.
In January, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority staged the Global Competitiveness Forum. With speakers including the likes of Tony Blair, Michael Dell and James Wolfensohn, the conference took full advantage of the facilities at the Kingdom Centre, which incorporates Riyadh’s Four Seasons Hotel [+966 (0) 1211 5000, www.fourseasons.com/riyadh]. The banquet hall at the Four Seasons, with its 34-metre-high ceilings, crystal chandeliers and large stage, comfortably holds 3,000 people. In pleasant weather, the tree-lined Conference Garden next door seats 150.
Riyadh’s other major landmark is the globe-topped tower of the Al-Faisaliah Hotel [+966 (0) 1273 2000, www.alfaisaliahhotel.com]. Its Prince Sultan Grand Hall, the largest column-free space in Saudi Arabia, can accommodate 4,000 people, while the lavish Al-Omsiat Ballroom seats up to 750. On the first floor there are seven smaller meeting rooms.
Later this year a new wing opens which has been designed by HRH Princess Al Anoud bint Khaled Al Saud. She says: “We’ve chosen to go with art deco styling and use Royal Ottoman Iznic patterns and Arabic calligraphy as a key element of the Arabian and Islamic art throughout the wing.” Plans include 106 rooms and suites, a ladies-only spa and an Italian restaurant.
If you’re arranging a meeting or conference in Jeddah, make a grand statement by booking the luxurious Park Hyatt. Its location at the heart of the central business district couldn’t be bettered, and the facilities for medium-sized events are excellent [+966 (0) 2263 9666, www.jeddah.park.hyatt.com].
For larger functions, book the Jeddah Hilton [+966 (0) 2659 0000, www.hilton.co.uk/jeddah]. There are 11 meeting rooms and a luxuriously appointed ballroom, while the 3,000-capacity Hilton Hall is the largest venue in Jeddah.
Matthew Lee
