The Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) plans to hold its first meeting here in November for professional, scientific, and medical associations under the Saudi Association Day title

There are 155 professional associations in Saudi Arabia operating in medical, professional, and vocational fields, among others.

The Saudi Association Day will be held as part of the annual Saudi Convention and Exhibition Forum in the presence of Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, and under the patronage of Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah who is also the chairman of the Tourism Development Council of Riyadh.

Tariq Alessa, SECB executive director, said the main objective of the event was to develop manpower skills in managing professional and trade associations in the Kingdom.

The other goal is to enhance the number of such high-profile meetings and conferences that will strengthen partnerships between the country’s national associations and their international counterparts thereby bringing international conferences and exhibitions to Saudi Arabia.

“Associations are useful in the conventions sector and many of the largest international conferences and congresses are held by local, national, and international associations,” Alessa said, adding that the SECB and its partners have worked on developing this program. The event supports the development of Saudi associations with the aim of enhancing their impact on the growth of conventions in the Kingdom.

He said SECB aims to build a strong and integral relationship with the association sector in the Kingdom, and conferences serve as an effective tool in providing scientific education and professional development for association members and officials.

He added that the association day event will add great value to the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Forum’s focus on the demand side of the exhibition and convention sector or ‘conference buyers,’ which will add to the forum’s objectives.

The meeting will include a series of educational workshops led by specialists in association and conference management. Topics will include successful association management, effective marketing of association activities and potential revenue growth processes.