The halls of the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre are buzzing as the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA) officially opens the second edition of its International Facility Management Conference & Exhibition (SFMA Expo 2025).

Held under the patronage of H.E. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the three-day event runs until August 26 and is already drawing global attention under the theme “Facility Intelligence.”

The scale of participation underscores the sector’s momentum: over 200 speakers and 210 exhibitors are delivering live presentations, panel debates, and demonstrations that spotlight the future of FM in Saudi Arabia. Delegates are crowding into sessions on AI-driven inspections, predictive analytics, and IoT-enabled building management, all positioned as critical tools for sustaining the Kingdom’s megaprojects and aligning with Vision 2030.

Exhibition stands are showcasing the newest smart tools, energy-management systems, and cloud-based security technologies, with operators, developers, and asset managers visibly exploring real-time applications for their portfolios. International and local partnerships are being announced, reflecting the event’s aim to accelerate knowledge exchange and standardise best practices across the sector.

The “AI in the Built Environment” hackathon has also gone live, with student teams, engineers, and FM professionals pitching bold ideas—from BIM-integrated building management to AI-powered failure prediction. The competition floor is buzzing with prototypes and presentations, with winners set to be honoured on the main stage at the closing ceremony.

Beyond technology, human capital development is commanding attention. Training sessions and education-focused workshops are packed, as FM leaders emphasise the need to build a workforce capable of sustaining smart, resilient environments for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly urbanising cities.

As conversations spill from conference halls to exhibition corridors, one theme dominates: facility management is no longer just about maintenance—it is becoming a strategic enabler of efficiency, safety, and sustainability across every sector of the Kingdom’s economy.