ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is proud to announce the official approval of its programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The approval follows formal endorsement by the
This milestone authorisation enables ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to deliver the CICS programme across the Kingdom, reinforcing its commitment to developing highly skilled national talent for the international meetings and events space.
Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ said: “This approval represents a significant milestone for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and for the development of the business events industry in Saudi Arabia. By bringing the CICS programme to the Kingdom, we are investing directly in people — equipping the next generation of professionals with globally relevant skills while supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on knowledge, talent development, and sustainable economic growth.”
Aligned with ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s globally recognised education framework, the CICS programme is designed to equip emerging professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical competencies required to operate successfully in the international meetings industry. Core areas of study include international association meetings and congress management, destination management and competitive bidding, strategic marketing and operational planning, and the measurement of economic and social impacts of events.
, the Saudi Entertainment and Event Management Academy, will facilitate the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ CICS programme delivery.
Dr. Eihab Abou Rokbah, CEO, Saudi Entertainment and Event Management Academy said: “In line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision to grow the MICE sector to USD 4.6 billion by 2030, SEEMA and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ are proud to announce the launch of the Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) certification in Saudi Arabia. This strategic collaboration aims to professionalise the local MICE workforce by equipping talent with internationally recognised expertise to plan, manage, and deliver global conventions — strengthening the Kingdom’s capacity as a leading international meetings and events destination.”
Delivered through a blended learning model that combines theoretical instruction with applied, real-world training, the programme supports the development of a future-ready workforce while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness as a leading global meetings destination.
This approval represents a significant step in advancing , particularly in the areas of tourism, events, and knowledge-based economic development. It also underscores ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s long-term commitment to professional education, capacity building, and sustainable industry growth across the Middle East.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ looks forward to working closely with its partners in Saudi Arabia to ensure the successful delivery and lasting impact of the CICS programme, contributing to a stronger, more resilient business events ecosystem in the region.