ASM Global secures contract to operate two venues in mixed-use development in Saudi Arabia

Global venue operator ASM Global has announced its appointment as the managing operator for two venues within a grand mixed-use destination in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Situated in the heart of Jeddah, adjacent to the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), the Airport City project is set to become one of the very few airport city destinations in the world. SARH Real Estate Investment (SARH) has appointed ASM Global to provide design expertise and venue management of the 20,000-seat Jeddah Arena and the spectacular International Convention Centre Jeddah (ICC Jeddah) set to open there in December 2025. Chairman and chief executive of ASM Global, Asia Pacific & Gulf Region, Harvey Lister AM, congratulated SARH Real Estate Investments for its master plan design which aims to attract national and international tourism to the city and help transform Jeddah into the first-ever transit gate in Saudi Arabia. “ASM Global is looking forward to being an integral part of the team to deliver this visionary project in Jeddah. We pride ourselves on joining forces with partners with whom we know we can make a difference to creating and delivering amazing experiences,” said Lister. On announcing their partnership, SARH Real Estate & Development founder and chairman of SARH Real Estate Investments, Sultan Al-Harbi said that, with the strategic location of Jeddah, ultra-modern facilities, and the reputation of ASM Global, the Airport City would be a dynamic addition to the regional corporate and tourism industry and contribute significantly to the Saudi Vision 2030. “Upon analysing the significant importance of both the iconic Arena and Convention Centre, it was only fitting to appoint the global giants in the venue and entertainment industry, ASM Global, to collaborate on this landmark project for Jeddah and Saudi Arabia,” Al-Harbi said. SARH Real Estate and Development recently announced their grand megacity district, promising to be the ultimate ‘live-work-play’ lifestyle destination linked by train to KAIA and the city of Jeddah. Within this urban precinct of the future, the ICC Jeddah & Jeddah Arena will be supported by three to five-star hotels, a shopping mall, parklands, anchored by a dedicated business centre and residential sector, as well as many other recreational amenities. Iain Campbell, executive vice-president, ASM Global Gulf Region, added: “ASM Global was chosen for its unparalleled international expertise in design and technical solutions, as well as its reputation for quality assurance and service excellence for venue management and marketing.” In recent years, ASM Global has also helped establish Middle East venues including the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, the new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre – the largest venue of its kind in the Middle East – opening in 2022, as well as the successful pre-opening of venues in Oman and Qatar. The construction of the Jeddah Airport City megacity district project is expected to commence by the end of 2021 and open for business in December 2025. For preliminary information, visit www.iccjeddah.com and www.jeddaharena.com