The three-day INDEX Saudi 2020 concludes today (Wednesday) featuring Design Talks, a program of CPD-accredited live presentations from award-winning interior designers working on major projects in the GCC alongside a diverse set of hospitality, retail, entertainment and leisure developers and operators from across Saudi Arabia. A conference will take place between 6pm-9:30pm at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. It brings more than 200 leading international and local interiors and fit-out brands to Riyadh from across 20 countries. Saudi Arabia is home to the Middle East's largest construction market, making it the region's largest interior design and fit-out buyer, with a interior market value of $3.5bn. INDEX Saudi, co-located with Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo, offers a unique platform to meet and do business with leading buyers based in Saudi Arabia. The interactive presentations provide privileged insights into the creative trends and techniques, market opportunities and strategic, logistical and commercial decisions driving the rapid expansion of the Kingdom's built environment, as well as case studies on an array of high-profile design and fit-out projects currently underway in the Kingdom. The Design Talks agenda will kick off with experienced architect and creative designer Ahmed El-Sharabassy, CEO & founder of Sharabassy Built Environment Studio, elaborating on the subject, "Educating the next generation of KSA interior designers". To fulfill his vision of developing design concepts, Ahmed believes in the empowerment of young minds to drive future innovation and also deems that creativity and innovation cannot be limited by static norms. Founding Partner & Managing Director of MMAC Design Associates Christian Merieau will focus on "A case-study on our current hotel and residential interior design projects in Makkah and Riyadh". MMAC is one of the most reputable hospitality design firms in the region, having now designed in various capacities for over 40 hotels. Having worked intimately with several of the premium hotel operating chains they are well versed with the intricacies involved in the design & operation of hotels. Barnes of Broadway Interiors tackles "Reviewing our upcoming F&B projects in Saudi Arabia with particular focus on the set of new Black Tap restaurants and outlets coming to the Kingdom." Kristina Zanic, CEO of Kristina Zanic Consultants, and a prominent figure in interior design in Asia and the Middle East, will talk on "Property refurbishment: How interior design can reactivate and replenish existing spaces to create additional revenue and stay competitive.", is a prominent figure in interior design in Asia and the Middle East. Her exclusive designs are often a result of the fusion of elements and details from her travels. The final speaker of the day is Abdullah Ahmed Alzahrani, co-founder & COO, of Decorator Company, and will highlight solutions in the industry with his expertise in communications and networks engineering. He will also address customer experience in his topic "Examining a new digital platform that integrates clients with internal designers and furniture companies to help facilitate the design and furniture industry in Saudi Arabia." — SG
