NEW Horizon for Conferences & Exhibitions has announced that it has won a franchise for hosting and organizing the Saudi International Exhibition for Internet of Things (IoT) for the first time in the KSA. The exhibition will be held in early 2018 in presence of leaders of technology, communications, products and services designed to promote the digital transformation of cities, communities, people, data and things. Such prestigious event, that will be attended by leading national and international companies and corporations specialized in technology development, communications and information technology, is held as a part of an initiative to create a platform revolving around the huge potentials of the Internet of Things revolution, tackling challenges and identifying actual opportunities of the Internet of Things.” This international event is held in many countries around the globe such as China, the USA, India, Germany, Russia, Australia, Spain, the UAE, etc.

Shuaib bin Abdullah Al Abdulrahman, General Manager of New Horizon, said the exhibition, which will be held in Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center on Jan. 28-30, 2018, is a key event for the future of the Internet of Things in the KSA because it particularly concentrates on the innovators of the Internet of Things solutions such as electronic design, embedded systems, software development, cloud computerization, integrated systems, analytical procedures... etc.

He highlighted that organizing this exhibition in Riyadh is a part of the initiative for implementing the “National Transformation Plan 2020” and the “KSA Vision 2030” which gives a particular attention to supporting the information technology sector. According to the KSA Vision 2030, the “KSA will increase its investments in, and lead, the digital economy ... The Vision stresses that the digital infrastructure is the basis of creating advanced industrial activities and attracting investors... and that the KSA will develop communications and information technology infrastructure, especially high speed broadband technologies, in order to improve the competitiveness of the Saudi economy.”

This exhibition, he said, is an initiative to create a platform to support communications and information technology sector in particular and all other sectors concerned with the Internet of Things in general and highlight the role of public and private organizations in keeping up with technological development, tackling information security challenges, concentrating on the importance of technology for national and Islamic culture, employing technology in government, health, energy, education, transport, tourism, construction, economy and banking services and many other vital sectors.

The IoT is a newly-coined term meaning the new generation of the Internet (network) which allows for understanding between the interconnected systems via the Internet Protocol, including tools, sensors, artificial intelligence devices, etc.. This definition surpasses the traditional concept, i.e. communication between people and computers and smart phones via a worldwide network of the traditional Internet protocol. The Internet of Things allows people to liberate themselves from place because they will be able to control systems and devices without having to be in a certain place to deal with a certain device.

Alaa Al Zuabi, General Manager of the Saudi International Exhibition for the Internet of Things, said IoT is a big network of different systems including computers, mobile phones, cars, elevators, refrigerators and many other systems surrounding us whether in houses, manufactures, business centers or even hospitals. These systems will be easily and smoothly interconnected via the Internet network to exchange information. He believes that the IoT will constitute a revolution in the concept of the Internet and communications and will make devices connected with the Internet to function as a source of data instead of humans.

The IoT, he said, will depend on making all things surrounding humans connected with the Internet and with each other in order to behave in a smart way to serve customers. When talking about the IoT, he said, “smart homes” attract the greatest part of our attention due to the diversity of their applications which include products such as smart locks, house robots and smart fridges. This technology will give humans the power to effectively, easily and remotely control their devices such as cars, smart phones, washing machines or even check the contents of their fridges via Internet connection.

A leading constellation of relevant government communications and information technology organizations will participate in the exhibition in addition to a group of national and international companies. Many workshops will be organized during the exhibition to educate visitors and stakeholders about the most important features of technology development and the concept of the Internet of Things.

Also, New Horizon for Conferences & Exhibition planning to simultaneously organize a conference for a highly outstanding group of national and international speakers, including the leaders of prominent national and international companies and organizations concerned with technology development and the Internet of Things, to highlight and discuss key national achievements and the KSA Vision 2030 requirements, how to promote the KSA as a technological leader and highlight the latest developments in the Internet of Things.

A number of leading international companies in the KSA have expressed their particular interest in participating in this conference and exhibition as the IoT is highly important for supporting the national economy and this is the first time to have such exhibition in Riyadh. — SG