UK Participation at Expo 2030 Riyadh - Creative, Cultural, Retail and Hospitality Preliminary Market Engagement/Early Engagement Questionnaire

The Department for Business and Trade is leading preparations for the UK’s participation at Expo 2030 Riyadh, taking place from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031. World Expos are major global events - with an expected 42 million visitors and 197 participating countries, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be a major moment for the UK’s presence on the world stage and an opportunity to highlight the importance of the bilateral relationship between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The UK has a rich legacy of involvement at World Expos, stretching back to the Great Exhibition of 1851, for which the Crystal Palace was constructed in Hyde Park, London. In 2025, at the Osaka World Expo, Japan, the UK pavilion attracted over 1 million visitors, hosting an exciting programme of events and offering an immersive exhibition, gift shop, restaurant and bar.

Expo 2030 Riyadh presents an ideal opportunity for the UK to foster economic growth and build partnerships in the region as well as globally. DBT are seeking a range of suppliers to enable the design and construction for the UK pavilion at this event, as well as to help define and deliver our public and private visitor offerings.

This is our second round of Preliminary Market Engagement; the first round can be found at Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-043178. Please note, if you have responded to the first round of Preliminary Market Engagement there is no need to respond again.

At this initial stage of the project, DBT is seeking to engage with organisations that have relevant expertise across the planning, delivery and operation of major international visitor attractions, cultural programmes and commercial hospitality environments. We are particularly interested in hearing from suppliers, operators and partners within the following sectors: Pavilion Operations, Hospitality and Food & Beverage: Operators and hospitality providers with experience delivering exceptional visitor experiences in high-volume international venues, major events, cultural destinations or flagship attractions.

This includes restaurants, cafés, bars, VIP hospitality facilities, catering services and premium guest experiences, with the ability to develop commercially successful and culturally distinctive food and beverage concepts. Retail and Commercial Experiences: Retail operators, brand partners and merchandising specialists with expertise in developing and operating destination retail environments.

This includes gift shops, licensed merchandise, product curation, experiential retail, commercial partnerships and innovative approaches that enhance visitor engagement while generating commercial returns. Exhibition Curation and Cultural Interpretation: Organisations with proven expertise in the curation, design and delivery of museum-quality exhibitions and cultural experiences.

This includes developing exhibition narratives, and content that translate complex themes into engaging, accessible and memorable public experiences for diverse international audiences. Culture, Entertainment and Performance Programming: Cultural organisations, producers, promoters and creative agencies with experience curating and delivering live events, performances, festivals, artistic commissions, public programming and cultural showcases.

We are interested in innovative approaches that can present the breadth of UK creativity, culture, heritage and contemporary talent to international audiences. Events and Business Programming: Suppliers with expertise in planning and delivering conferences, receptions, trade events, networking programmes, business engagements and VIP experiences that support government, commercial and diplomatic objectives.

Major World Events and Destination Operations: Organisations with experience delivering, operating or supporting projects at World Expos, Olympic and Paralympic Games, international sporting events, global cultural festivals or other major international visitor destinations. Suppliers should understand the unique operational, logistical, commercial and reputational considerations associated with globally visible, time-critical programmes.

In addition to traditional supplier relationships, DBT is interested in engaging with potential commercial, cultural and strategic partners who may wish to contribute to or operate the UK Pavilion's public offer. This may include hospitality, retail, cultural programming, exhibitions, entertainment, visitor experiences and other activities that support the objectives and commercial sustainability of the UK presence at Expo 2030 Riyadh.