In the days leading up to Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2025, momentum was already building. On Monday, October 27, 2025, the Federation of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh hosted a dedicated event organized by the Saudi-French Business Council (CAFS) in collaboration with BrandTrends, BBM Licensing, Licensing Horizons, and Licensing International.

This special session convened leading professionals from multiple industries to examine how brand licensing can fuel growth across Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving economy. Attendees engaged with key executives shaping the licensing landscape in the Kingdom and the wider Middle East, discussing how strategic partnerships, cultural alignment, and cross-sector collaboration can drive sustainable brand expansion and long-term market value.

On October 28, 2025, Riyadh then hosted a defining moment for the region’s creative and entertainment economy with the successful debut of Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2025. Held at the Madareem Hotel and co-hosted by BBM Licensing and BrandTrends, the forum marked the first-ever licensing industry event in Saudi Arabia, uniting global brand owners, regional agencies, and investors to chart the future of brand expansion under Vision 2030.

The conference featured dynamic discussions on how licensing, culture, and innovation are shaping the Kingdom’s growth. High-impact sessions such as “Think Global, Act Local: Does Authenticity Drive Licensing Success?”, “Entertainment, Sports & Gaming,” and “Location-Based Entertainment and Its Future in Saudi Arabia” explored opportunities for collaboration across entertainment, retail, and digital ecosystems.

The event was supported by Licensing International, represented by Maura J. Regan, President & CEO, and Licensing International France, represented by Laurent Taieb, whose participation reinforced its global credibility and strategic importance.

Main sponsors — Spacetoon, INCUBASE Studio, Animotion Media Group, and Like Nastya — reflected the diversity and creative strength of the Middle East’s rapidly expanding IP and content sectors. Their involvement underscored a shared vision: bridging international IPs with Saudi Arabia’s growing licensing infrastructure.

Amer Bitar, CEO of BBM Licensing and Co-Founder of Licensing Horizons, said:
“Licensing Horizons gives the Middle East its own stage in the global licensing community. Riyadh is the natural next step. Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is becoming the region’s creative growth engine — this marks the beginning of a new IP era.”

Philippe Guinaudeau, CEO of BrandTrends and Co-Founder of Licensing Horizons, added:
“Our mission has always been to connect global creativity with regional ambition. Bringing the forum to Riyadh was essential — the Kingdom now embodies the innovation, energy, and openness that define the future of licensing in the Middle East.”

Through insightful dialogue, market intelligence, and purposeful networking, Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2025 fulfilled its mission to connect licensors, licensees, manufacturers, retailers, and policymakers — transforming potential into actionable partnerships. The message was clear: Saudi Arabia is ready to take a leading role in the global licensing arena.

For more information or to explore future involvement, visit www.licensinghorizons.com or contact Amer Bitar at amer.bitar@bbmlicensing.com.

About Licensing Horizons
Licensing Horizons is a regional licensing business forum co-founded by BBM Licensing and BrandTrends, dedicated to advancing the licensing, entertainment, and brand partnership sectors across the Middle East and Africa. Since its inception in Dubai in 2023, Licensing Horizons has hosted four successful editions that have positioned the event as the region’s premier licensing platform—bringing together global licensors, regional licensees, and thought leaders from sectors including entertainment, sports, lifestyle, and retail. Building on the success of Dubai 2023, Dubai 2024, Dubai 2025 and Riyadh 2025, the platform will expand its regional footprint in 2026 with two major events:

• Licensing Horizons Dubai 2026 in the first half of the year, continuing its legacy as the flagship MENA licensing hub.
• Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2026 in the second half of 2026, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a key market for brand and IP expansion.

Together, these events reaffirm Licensing Horizons’ commitment to connecting global creativity with regional opportunity, driving sustainable growth for the licensing industry across the Middle East.