Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Jeddah will host the fifth annual Hajj Conference & Exhibition from November 9 to 12. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with the Pilgrim Experience Program, this global event aims to enhance pilgrim services and foster innovation across sectors involved in the Hajj ecosystem.
Hajj conference overview: Building on past successes
The upcoming fifth edition of the Hajj Conference & Exhibition continues the momentum of its predecessors, particularly the highly successful fourth edition. Last year’s event attracted over 120,000 visitors from within Saudi Arabia and abroad. More than 220 exhibitors representing 137 countries participated, resulting in over 670 cooperation agreements. These achievements contributed directly to improving the quality of services for pilgrims during the recent Hajj season.
Hajj conference sessions and workshops: Knowledge sharing and training
This year’s conference program is expansive, featuring over 80 sessions and 60 specialized workshops. Participants will include academics, researchers, offices handling pilgrims’ affairs, diplomatic missions, and more than 2,400 trainees from across the globe. These sessions aim to promote knowledge exchange and develop skills essential for managing the complex logistics of the pilgrimage.
Hajj ecosystem: Sectors and innovations on display
Spanning four days, the conference will present the comprehensive Hajj ecosystem, highlighting the involvement of numerous sectors:
Travel and Tourism - Transportation
- Telecommunications
- Healthcare
- Food Services and Hospitality
- Technology and Innovation
- Insurance
- Crowd Management
- Logistics
The event will also spotlight the contributions of the non-profit sector, featuring cooperative institutions and initiatives that provide innovative, sustainable solutions to enhance pilgrim services.A special Innovation Zone will showcase 15 startups and entrepreneurs competing across three challenge categories, focusing on developing forward-looking solutions tailored to Hajj service needs.
Hajj heritage and technology: The role of King Abdulaziz Foundation
The King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) will play a major role by organizing the History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Forum. This forum will explore the historical and cultural aspects of the pilgrimage and the evolution of Islam’s holiest sites. It will also highlight the use of modern technologies, such as interactive digital platforms, to document and present the Hajj experience, thus enhancing public understanding of pilgrimage heritage.
Supporting Saudi vision 2030 : Pilgrim experience program
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasizes that the conference aligns with the goals of the Pilgrim Experience Program, a flagship initiative under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This program reinforces the Kingdom’s global leadership in serving pilgrims by improving service quality and fostering innovation across all Hajj-related sectors.
Hajj registration and global participation
The exhibition accompanying the conference will cover more than 52,000 square meters and host over 260 exhibitors. The Ministry invites experts, stakeholders, and interested individuals worldwide to register and participate via the official website: www.hajjconfex.com.Officials describe the event as a unique international forum dedicated to the development and innovation of the Hajj system. It provides a platform for government agencies, private sector entities, and non-profit organizations to collaborate and share expertise, ensuring the best possible experience for pilgrims worldwide.
