Richard Attias & Associates mulls IPO on Saudi market: Chairman

Richard Attias, Founder and Executive Chairman of Richard Attias & Associates (RA&A), said the company is studying a potential listing on the Saudi market, without setting a timeline, stressing that the decision will depend on the company’s readiness and the advice of financial advisors.

Speaking to Argaam on the sidelines of the PIF–Private Sector Forum, Attias said a potential IPO requires enhancements in governance and regulatory compliance, a process that takes time. However, he described the Saudi market as highly active and potentially the most suitable platform for a listing.

Saudi Arabia has become the company’s largest source of revenue, noting that the Kingdom has emerged as a global “capital of the events industry.” He estimated the size of the local events market at between $2 billion and $3 billion, spanning conferences, major exhibitions, and sports and cultural events.
 

RA&A is 75% owned by Sanabil Investments, a unit of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), while Attias holds the remaining 25%. The partnership began in 2022, when Sanabil initially acquired a 49% stake before subsequently increasing its stake, Attias said.
 

He added the company, founded about 18 years ago, has become one of the leading players in high-impact global platforms, designing and delivering strategic dialogue forums that bring together business leaders, policymakers and innovators.
 

RA&A does not view itself merely as an event organizer, but rather as a “platform-building company. It supports investment and generates economic opportunities, by managing the full value chain from strategy and content development to execution, in addition to providing strategic communications services.
 

Attias noted that Saudi Arabia hosts thousands of platforms annually, ranging from the Future Minerals Forum and the Aviation Forum to initiatives such as the Future Investment Initiative (FII), which has evolved into a sustainable global platform. He said such events have become key tools for attracting foreign direct investment and advancing economic diversification under Vision 2030.
 

He added that the Kingdom is well positioned to become the world’s leading events destination over the next two decades, supported by strong government backing, infrastructure development and rapid growth in tourism, hospitality and related services.
 

Momentum is further reflected in Saudi Arabia’s hosting of major upcoming global events, including Expo 2030, the AFC Asian Cup 2027, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, which are expected to cement the Kingdom’s position as a global events hub.
 

Attias said the company maintains a global presence through offices in Dubai, Paris, New York and Africa, strengthening its ability to deliver international platforms linking East and West, and North and South, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a growing global nexus.
 

He also revealed the launch of a dedicated artificial intelligence unit, “RNA AI,” focused on developing technological tools to enhance participant experience and maximize event impact, underscoring the firm’s ambition to lead the integration of technology in international platforms and dialogue.
 

According to Argaam data, New York-based RA&A was founded in 2008, with regional offices in Paris, Riyadh, Dubai, Dakar and Beijing. The company employs more than 100 people worldwide and has organized all editions of FII since its launch in 2017, often dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” gathering senior executives and decision-makers from around the world.