Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition wraps up in Jeddah with over 200,000 visitors and 2,553 agreements

The sixth edition of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition concluded on Wednesday in Jeddah. The event, held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program—part of Saudi Vision 2030—took place at Jeddah Superdome under the theme "From Makkah to the World." Over four days, the conference brought together more than 520 entities from government, private, and non-profit sectors, with participants from over 150 countries. The event attracted more than 200,000 visitors and saw the signing of 2,553 agreements.

The conference served as a key milestone in early preparations for the 1448 AH Hajj season, bringing together Hajj affairs offices, service providers, government and private entities, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to finalize arrangements and contracts, discuss operational and regulatory needs, and present solutions and initiatives related to all stages of the pilgrim journey.

The scientific program featured 45 panel discussions with more than 460 speakers, as well as 71 specialized workshops that benefited 3,500 trainees. The sessions and workshops focused on three main tracks: infrastructure and operational services; empowerment and integration; and development and sustainability. Topics included transport, logistics, accommodation, hospitality, catering, healthcare, media, communication, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, training, and enhancing the pilgrim experience.

The "Hajj Council" served as one of the conference's key discussion forums, hosting 47 sessions that addressed operational and developmental issues related to the Hajj service ecosystem, the needs of service providers and Hajj affairs offices, and ways to improve services and the overall pilgrim experience. The sessions provided a platform to discuss challenges and propose solutions for the upcoming 1448 AH Hajj season.

During the conference, agreements for Hajj arrangements for the 1448 AH season were finalized with Hajj affairs offices from 74 countries, building on the "Initial Arrangements Document." These agreements support the early completion of contracts and regulatory and operational requirements, including those related to group movement, air transport, and other preparations for the season.

As part of the recognition programs, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah bin Suleiman Mashat honored the winners of several awards presented during the conference. These included the "Labbaytum" Award for excellence in serving pilgrims (for Hajj service companies), the third edition of the "Tawasul" Award for excellence in media and awareness (for domestic and international pilgrims), and the "Mubdi'oon – Hajj Track" Award, recognizing outstanding and innovative entities, initiatives, products, and services that have contributed to improving the quality of pilgrim services.

For the first time, the sixth edition featured the "Awareness and Training Forum," which included 12 sessions and meetings. The forum also saw the launch of the "Awareness Readiness Index" initiative, the "Unified Workers Portal," and a program for members of Hajj affairs offices and group leaders, all aimed at enhancing awareness efforts and improving the readiness of those serving pilgrims.

The forum trained 658 participants from 76 countries through a trainers' qualification program for Hajj affairs office members and group leaders, delivered in 11 training tracks and four languages. The forum also saw the signing of three agreements and the organization of seven interactive activities and eight accompanying events.

The accompanying exhibition covered more than 67,000 square meters, featuring entities representing 19 sectors related to the Hajj ecosystem, including transport, aviation, accommodation, catering, health, technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, crowd management, education, training, media, and more. This allowed Hajj affairs offices and service providers to explore solutions and products and assess needs for the upcoming Hajj season.

The sixth edition included more than 15 main zones and programs, such as the Hajj Conference, Hajj Council, workshops, Innovation Zone, Business Center, Partners Platform, Experts Volunteer Forum, Awareness and Training Forum, and dedicated areas for technology, health, media, aviation, the "Conference Lens" studio, and the "Made in Saudi" zone, among others.

In the innovation track, the "Innovation Council" hosted 15 startups over four days, along with nine experts and specialists from within the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, four external experts, and more than 35 representatives from domestic and international Hajj service companies. The council brought together over 80 participants in 14 hours of discussions on technological and operational solutions and opportunities for innovation in developing Hajj services.

The startup exhibition featured 10 companies, while the "Future of Hajj Innovations" bootcamp included 20 teams working on solutions in smart operations, crowd management, sustainability, resource efficiency, pilgrim experience and services, awareness and training, and the pilgrim journey. Participants received guidance, development opportunities, financial support, and incubation.

The Innovative Initiatives Zone showcased 12 government initiatives, while the "Innovation Store" featured 574 innovative products. The "Try Me" area allowed visitors to experience 13 innovative products, in addition to 10 umbrellas and three innovations from the "Haramain Ideas" program, enabling visitors to explore solutions and initiatives and consider their potential for enhancing pilgrim services.

The conclusion of the sixth edition reflects the leadership's ongoing commitment to serving pilgrims and embodies the goals of the Pilgrim Experience Program and Saudi Vision 2030 to develop services, enhance readiness, empower the private and non-profit sectors, and promote technology and innovation, all aimed at improving the pilgrim journey at every stage.