King Khalid International Airport has reopened in the capital city of Riyadh, but organisers are postponing events amid rising caution. Photo Credit: AdobeStock/wajdram
An attack on Saudi Arabia's second-busiest airport earlier this month left 13 people dead and more than 300 wounded. King Khalid International Airport has reopened in the capital city of Riyadh, but the incident has raised concerns about stability in the region, and has led some organisations to cancel or postpone upcoming events.
Here is a round-up of gatherings that have been impacted thus far.
Future Investment Initiative
The 10th edition of the Future Investment Initiative conference, also known as "Davos in the Desert," has been postponed to next year. The conference was originally scheduled to take place 26–29 October at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
A statement on the website did not directly cite security concerns, but rather the quality and scale of the event. Organisers said the 2027 dates will be announced soon.
"This decision comes from a deep commitment to our partners, members, speakers and delegates," the statement read. “Because this is our landmark 10th edition, we want to ensure it delivers the full scale, extraordinary quality, and unforgettable impact that our community has come to expect and truly deserves.”
Security Middle East Conference
For a second time this year, the Security Middle East Conference has been postponed. The 2026 edition previously was pushed from 28 April to 29 November. Now, conference organisers have rescheduled the event for 31 May 2027. More than 500 security professionals are expected to attend the gathering at the voco Riyadh hotel.
“Following the recent concerning incidents in Riyadh, our team has been reviewing the situation closely alongside our government partners and key stakeholders in the region," read a statement announcing the change on LinkedIn. “The safety and well-being of our speakers, sponsors, delegates and organising team is the top priority, and this new revised date gives us ample time to shape an even stronger experience: the conversations, the connections and the ideas that will move our industry forward.”
Intersec Saudi Arabia
Another conference on security, safety and fire protection has been postponed. Intersec Saudi Arabia was on the calendar for 16–18 November at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, but Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia announced this week that the gathering would be pushed back to October 2027. Further details will be announced soon. The conference is expected to draw 25,000 attendees.
“Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia has made the tough but necessary decision to postpone the upcoming edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia”, a statement on the event website read. “The decision follows careful and ongoing assessment of the evolving situation, in collaboration with our government partners and stakeholders, both locally and internationally. Our priority remains the safety, well-being, and confidence of customers, partners and staff, whilst ensuring the event can deliver the full international scale and quality for which the Intersec brand is renowned.”
Urban Cycling World Championships
The sports industry also has been impacted by the attacks on Saudi Arabia. On 16 October, Union Cycliste Internationale and the Saudi Cycling Federation announced that the 2026 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships had been cancelled. The event was set to bring together the best cyclists from around the world on 3–7 November.
According to a statement on the website, “the decision follows a joint assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical organization of the Championships. The UCI regrets having to take this decision and expresses its appreciation to the Saudi Cycling Federation for their support and cooperation throughout preparations for the event. It also thanks the athletes, teams and National Federations for their understanding.”
Six Kings Slam
In the tennis world, the Six Kings Slam exhibition has been pushed back a few weeks. Originally scheduled for 21, 22 and 24 October, the tournament now will take place 27–30 December at Riyadh's ANB Arena. It will be streamed live on Netflix.
The scheduling change was announced on social media: “The decision reflects Riyadh Season's commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards, following an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and their potential impact on the quality of the audience perspective.”
Source: Northstar Meetings Group