Stone-Ideas.com 
In 2026, the world‘s most important furniture fair will be held for the first time in the Saudi capital Riyadh: “Red in Progress” is the title the Salone del Mobile.Milan fair has given itself for its launch in the most important market in the Gulf region. “Red” refers to the brand color of the fair. The date für 2026 has not yet been announced.
It has been announced that, in the style of a grand opera, the November event (26 – 28) will be the prelude to the grand premiere in the King Abdullah Financial District in downtown Riyadh. We quote from the fair’s press materials: “The initiative will feature furniture, lighting, surfaces and accessories from more than 35 Italian companies, selected for their quality, innovation and sustainability. “
We are showing renderings of the installation.
Companies from the natural stone sector will be among the exhibitors. The most prominent name is Citco, which causes a stir every year with its displays of fine natural stone design at the Rho exhibition center in Milan.
More from the press release: “An international cultural program will bring together voices from Italy and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Business Lounge will host meetings and presentations with key Saudi decision-makers.”
The Milan fair outlines the economic potential offered by the capital alone: “Riyadh has become the centre of gravity for the design of new hotels, malls, offices and residences that are reshaping the country… The Ministry of Tourism is aiming for 150 million visits by 2030, supported by the addition of 362,000 new rooms. Rentable retail space is expected to grow to 9.9 million m2 (source: JLL Research)… The Saudi market for furniture, fixtures and equipment was estimated at around USD 7 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 9 billion by 2030 (sources: TechSci Research, Mordor Intelligence). Development in the residential and hospitality sectors is driving most of this growth.“
As with all events in the Kingdom, the Crown Prince’s “Vision 2030” is central also to “Red in progress”: The first goal of the initiative is to build an economy that is not entirely dependent on oil; the second is to train qualified people for this within the country itself; the third is to modernize this very traditional and conservative country.
The press release states: “‘Red in progress‘ also aims to highlight local talent, promote sustainability and innovation standards aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, and create the right conditions for ideas and projects to take shape, from construction sites to interiors and cities.“
The aspect of qualifying citizens of the Kingdom has recently been incorporated also into the international Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium, whose works are intended to beautify the capital: In 2026, the Sculpture Apprenticeship Program will take place for the first time, where young Saudi artists will learn the craft from experienced sculptors from around the world during ten days of the symposium.
Salone del Mobile: “Red in progress“
Photos/Renderings: Salone del Mobile.Milan
