Riyadh, 15 December 2025 – Riyadh became today the capital of global hospitality as Host Arabia, HORECA Riyadh and Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie opened their doors, marking the beginning of the Kingdom’s largest and most anticipated hospitality and foodservice event of the year.

Held from 15 to 17 December 2025 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, the joint event—organized by Semark Group in collaboration with Fiera Milano and Hospitality Services under the strategic partnership of the Culinary Arts Commission (CAC)—brings together the full spectrum of the hospitality industry under one roof.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials, ambassadors, and leading figures from the public and private sectors, alongside distinguished guests of honor Guillaume Gomez, President of Groupe Gastronomie and former French ambassador for gastronomy, and renowned Belgian Chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, who joined the celebrations to mark this new milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey to becoming a global leader in hospitality, gastronomy, and tourism.

Uniting four major events, Host Arabia, HORECA Riyadh, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Riyadh, and Saudi Elite Chefs, this extraordinary week redefines the scale of professional gatherings in the region. Across 42,000 square meters, the events feature over 660 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, representing over 5,000 brands, and expect to welcome 50,000 professional visitors over three days. Together, they form a powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Host Arabia, making its Saudi debut, brings the international excellence of Host Milano to the region for the very first time. As an extension of the world’s foremost hospitality exhibition organized by Fiera Milano, Host Arabia connects over 180 exhibitors, representing more than 800 brand with the dynamic Saudi and GCC markets, fostering new partnerships and investment opportunities. The event also features a strong participation of Italian companies — supported also by ITA – Italian Trade Agency and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation — highlighting the innovation, quality, and craftsmanship of the Made in Italy hospitality sector.

Meanwhile, HORECA Riyadh, now in its 14th edition, continues its legacy as the Kingdom’s leading hospitality and foodservice exhibition. It gathers over 400 exhibitors and 3,500 brands, showcasing cutting-edge solutions across foodservice, catering, design, and coffee culture

Over the next three days, visitors will experience a dynamic program of masterclasses, live competitions, and expert-led talks, uniting over 70 international chefs and speakers. The Hospitality Salon Culinaire, Saudi Barista, and Mocktail Competitions are once again among the event’s highlights, celebrating talent and excellence in every aspect of hospitality. HORECA Talks, organized with Hospitality News Middle East and Hodema Consulting Services, will feature thought-provoking sessions exploring innovation, sustainability, and the future of hospitality in Saudi Arabia.

Running concurrently within the exhibition is the third edition of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Riyadh, held in partnership with Hospitality Services, transforming the center into a world of sweetness and artistry. With over 80 exhibitors, 700 brands, and 40 masterclasses, live demonstrations, and competitions, the event gathers 40 international and regional pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Guests will enjoy a curated experience of chocolate, pastry, and dessert innovation, celebrating both international craftsmanship and the richness of Saudi culinary creativity.

Adding to the momentum, the second edition of Saudi Elite Chefs, organized by the Culinary Arts Commission, also opened today. This prestigious event brings together the Kingdom’s top chefs in a series of high-level competitions that showcase Saudi cuisine, inspire the next generation of culinary professionals, and reflect the nation’s growing influence on the global gastronomic stage.

In his opening remarks, Jad Taktak, CEO of Semark Group, said:

“Today we celebrate a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry. This unified platform brings together decades of experience and innovation from around the world to support the Kingdom’s bold vision and transform Riyadh into a global destination for excellence, creativity, and collaboration”.

Joumana Dammous-Salamé, Managing Director of Hospitality Services, added:

“This collaboration embodies the spirit of growth and partnership driving Saudi Arabia’s hospitality transformation. HORECA, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie, and Host Arabia together create an ecosystem that celebrates craftsmanship, inspires innovation, and connects Saudi talent with international expertise”.

“Host Arabia reflects Fiera Milano’s commitment to supporting industries by connecting companies with global and fast-growing markets,” said Carlo Bonomi, President of Fiera Milano. “The initiative is part of the Group’s international development strategy” added Roberto Foresti, Deputy General Manager of Fiera Milano, “reinforcing our role as a global hub that brings together expertise, innovation, and international opportunities”.

With the success of this unprecedented alliance, Saudi Arabia has entered a new era of hospitality leadership, one where local talent and international expertise come together to shape the future of the industry across the region and beyond.

HORECA Riyadh, Host Arabia, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Riyadh, and Saudi Elite Chefs run from 15 to 17 December 2025 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, open from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the first day and 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the following days.

About HORECA

Established almost 30 years ago, HORECA, the renowned annual business meeting place, brings together an impressive array of distinguished brands, experts and international personalities from the vibrant worlds of hospitality and foodservice. Over recent years, HORECA has cemented its strong presence in the GCC, particularly within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Besides Riyadh, HORECA also takes place annually in Jeddah, as well as in Beirut, Kuwait, Amman and Muscat.

About Host Arabia

Host Arabia is one of the international projects of Host Milano, the world’s leading exhibition for professional hospitality organized by Fiera Milano. Building on Host Milano’s long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation, Host Arabia brings the same expertise and global network to Saudi Arabia, creating a new gateway to the region’s fast-growing hospitality market.

Host Arabia is strategically positioned to leverage Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plans, which are set to transform the nation into a global leader in tourism, hospitality, and infrastructure. With massive investments in the tourism and hospitality industries, the Kingdom offers exciting prospects for businesses looking to expand into the Gulf region and beyond.

This unique event not only provides an exceptional platform for global exhibitors to showcase their products, services, and innovations but also presents exclusively curated networking opportunities with industry leaders, investors, and influential buyers from across the Middle East and beyond.