LEAP is Saudi Arabia's flagship technology event and one of the fastest growing tech conferences in the world. It is organised by Tahaluf, in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and, in recent editions, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones. LEAP has grown into a genuine global platform: more than 200,000 attendees, 600+ startups, 1,800+ global tech brands, and 1,900+ investors passed through its most recent edition.
LEAP 2027 is confirmed for 12 to 15 April 2027 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. LEAP's own organisers also refer to the venue as "RECC Malham," named after the Malham district of northern Riyadh where it sits. For technology brands entering the Gulf, or scaling their presence inside Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economy, LEAP is the single most important show on the calendar.
This guide covers everything you need to plan and execute an exhibition stand at LEAP Riyadh 2027.
Why LEAP Is Saudi Arabia's Most Important Tech Event
LEAP has run alongside DeepFest, the region's dedicated AI focused event, since DeepFest's launch. Together they bring big tech, breakthrough startups, researchers, policymakers, and enterprise leaders under one roof. Recent editions have featured ministerial level speakers, including Saudi Arabia's own Minister of Communications and Information Technology, alongside chief executives from major global technology brands.
The event's scale has grown with each edition. The most recent edition ran from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at the same Riyadh venue. LEAP 2027 returns to an April date, 12 to 15 April 2027, its fourth calendar shift since launch, reflecting the organisers' effort to find the optimal window for international participation.
RFECC / RECC Malham — What Exhibitors Need to Know
The venue itself is officially the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. It sits in the Malham district on the north eastern side of Riyadh, one of the Kingdom's newest large scale event facilities, located minutes from King Khalid International Airport. Per RFECC's own published capacity chart, the venue offers 39,350 sqm of indoor exhibition space across four halls, each with a 10-metre ceiling height.
Based on the exhibitor access pattern LEAP published for its most recent edition, exhibitor halls typically open earlier than visitor hours, from around 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily, to allow time for stand build and dismantling around the show's public visiting hours. Exact hours for the 2027 edition should be confirmed with LEAP directly closer to the show.
Exhibition stand construction at RFECC, as at all major Saudi venues, falls under the Kingdom's technical and safety framework. SCEGA, the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, governs the overall regulatory framework for exhibitions in the Kingdom, and Saudi Civil Defense fire safety regulations are strictly enforced: non compliant stands can face closure during installation. Electrical installation must be carried out by Saudi licensed contractors. EFFECT's Gulf operations manage this same compliance process across the region, and apply it directly to Saudi Arabia projects from the outset.
Stand Options at LEAP 2027
LEAP's own exhibitor enquiry process offers several stand formats: a Startup Pod for early stage companies, typically accessed through the LEAP Startup and Scaleup Programme; a Shell Scheme in a fixed 6 by 6 metre footprint with standard walls and fascia included; and Space Only in small, medium, or large footprints, a bare floor plot for a fully custom built stand.
For brands taking a Shell Scheme space, EFFECT designs graphic and branding upgrades that make a standard shell stand out on a crowded show floor. For Space Only plots, EFFECT delivers fully custom design and build, engineered to RFECC's technical requirements from the concept stage. As a general benchmark, EFFECT's Saudi Arabia pricing starts from SAR 200 per sqm for compact stands (6 to 9 sqm), SAR 300 per sqm for premium stands (10 to 36 sqm), SAR 450 per sqm for large format stands (40 sqm and above), and SAR 550 per sqm for national or multi-brand pavilions. Actual costs depend on design complexity, material specification, and timeline.
Companies exhibiting as a startup or scaleup can apply via the LEAP Startup and Scaleup Programme (startups@onegiantleap.com). All other exhibiting enquiries go through LEAP's official exhibit form or sales@onegiantleap.com. LEAP's own materials note that stand space at recent editions has sold out ahead of the show, so early enquiry matters.
What Makes a Strong Stand at a Show Like LEAP
LEAP's audience is unusually senior for a trade show. Investors, government officials, and C level executives make up a large share of visitors, alongside the technology buyers and builders you would expect. A stand built for this audience needs private meeting space for investor and partner conversations, not just open display area. A stand with nowhere to sit down and talk is a missed opportunity at a show where deal making is the point.
Live product demonstration capability matters more here than at a typical trade show, since LEAP's visitor base is there specifically to see what is new, not just to browse. Bilingual presentation, in English and Arabic, reflects the mixed Saudi and international audience and signals genuine market commitment rather than a fly in presence.
Given the level of government and media attention LEAP attracts, brand presentation and finish quality carry more weight than at a smaller regional show. Stand quality is one of the first signals of company credibility that a visiting investor or ministry official will register.
Logistics: Getting Your Stand to Riyadh
EFFECT ships stand components from its Tunisia production facility to Saudi Arabia, by sea freight to Jeddah Islamic Port or Riyadh Dry Port (approximately 10 to 14 days), or by air freight to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (typically 3 to 5 days). RFECC's location minutes from King Khalid International Airport is a real advantage for time sensitive, air freighted components arriving close to the show.
ATA Carnet documentation is used for temporary importation of exhibition materials into Saudi Arabia, and Saudi customs applies these procedures with rigour. EFFECT manages ATA Carnet preparation and coordinates with Saudi customs brokers for smooth border clearance, applying the same freight and customs process it already uses across its Gulf region projects.
Planning Timeline for LEAP 2027
Working backward from the 12 to 15 April 2027 show dates, EFFECT's recommended planning timeline is as follows.
September to October 2026: confirm your exhibiting plans through LEAP's official enquiry process, and brief EFFECT on stand type, floor size, and objectives.
November to December 2026: finalise stand design. For Space Only plots, submit structural drawings for RFECC technical approval.
January to February 2027: fabrication at EFFECT's Tunisia facility, with freight dispatch by sea for non time critical components.
March 2027: air freight of time sensitive or final elements, and confirmation of on site installation scheduling with RFECC.
Early April 2027: installation window ahead of the 12 April opening, with EFFECT's on site team building and commissioning the stand.
Show days, 12 to 15 April 2027: EFFECT on site support throughout.
Post show: dismantling and return freight.
How EFFECT Approaches LEAP Projects
EFFECT's Gulf operations, based in Doha, are extending the same compliance first, logistics led approach used across Qatar and the wider region into Saudi Arabia's fast growing exhibition market. The SCEGA compliance management, coordination with Saudi licensed contractors, and Tunisia to Gulf freight routes that EFFECT already applies across its regional projects extend directly to a LEAP stand.
Contact EFFECT to discuss your LEAP 2027 exhibition stand. Our team will respond with a detailed proposal within 24 hours.
