Jeddah to Host Sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition to Guide 2027 Hajj Preparations

JEDDAH: The sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition will take place in Jeddah from Nov. 8‑11, bringing together more than 520 local and international organizations to discuss improvements to pilgrimage services and preparations for the next Hajj season.

Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program, a Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, the event will be held under the patronage of King Salman.

Participants will include government, private and nonprofit organizations, as well as officials and specialists from across the Hajj services sector.

The event will mark a key stage in preparations for the 2027 Hajj season, with discussions covering contracts, operational and organizational arrangements, new solutions, initiatives, partnerships and seasonal readiness.

Leaders, officials and specialists from around the world will take part in three main tracks: infrastructure and operational services; empowerment and integration; and sustainable development.

The program features more than 15 zones and activities, including the Hajj Conference, Hajj Council, Awareness and Training Forum (held for the first time), workshops, an entrepreneurship and innovation zone, a hackathon, a business center, and dedicated technology, health, media and aviation hubs.

A special meeting for heads of pilgrim affairs offices will provide further opportunities to discuss services, strengthen business ties and build partnerships.

The accompanying exhibition will showcase organizations and service providers from more than 150 countries, gathering leaders, pilgrim affairs offices, service providers and specialists in aviation, transport, hospitality, health, infrastructure, technology, innovation, workforce development, investment and business development.

The ministry has invited organizations, specialists and members of the public to register through the conference website: hajjconfex.com/visitor-registration.

Last year’s event attracted more than 204,000 visitors and featured 270 exhibitors from over 150 countries, including 134 specialized sessions and workshops, while more than 2,600 participants benefited from its training programs.

The Hajj Conference and Exhibition is a major annual gathering for the pilgrimage services sector. The first edition, held in Jeddah in March 2022, focused on “Transformation Towards Innovation.” The second edition (January 2023) highlighted “Quality in the Services Ecosystem,” drawing over 60,000 visitors and more than 200 companies. The third edition welcomed about 100,000 visitors, over 200 service providers and 27 government entities, with more than 80 ministers and heads of Hajj missions participating. Agreements with 76 countries were announced. The fourth edition, “A Passage to the Rituals,” held in January last year, featured 300 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, 150 speakers across 75 panel discussions, and attendance of about 150,000 people, with Hajj agreements signed with 77 countries.

Source link