Over 1,500 influencers gathered in Riyadh to explore opportunities for advancing the global digital influence industry during the Impact Makers Forum, which continued into its second and final day.
The event brought together international influencers with a combined audience exceeding one billion followers and featured in-depth discussions and panel sessions about the future of digital influence.
The forum attracted over 30,000 visitors, solidifying its position as a premier platform for sharing expertise and highlighting successful experiences across various fields of influence. It also gave international influencers the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia’s landmarks and flagship projects through specially organized tours during their stay.
Participants emphasized the need to strengthen the private sector’s role in shaping influence both locally and globally. They called for fostering innovation and collaboration to achieve sustainable impact across all domains.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of incorporating social and humanitarian dimensions into influencers’ messaging on social media and other new media platforms. Speakers stressed the significance of supporting community and charitable initiatives, such as providing aid in crises, drawing attention to humanitarian issues, engaging in volunteer activities, and raising awareness about critical national and global concerns.
Eng. Rakan Alfaizi, CEO of One Group, highlighted the growth of Saudi Arabia’s media sector, which he said encourages more collaboration between private and public sectors to create sustainable influence.
Discussions throughout the forum explored innovative ways to balance real-life and virtual spaces, particularly to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive social media engagement on younger and emerging generations.
In a panel discussion titled “Balancing Life and Influence in Social Media,” Adwa AlDakheel emphasized the importance of organizing energy to prioritize quality over quantity in accomplishments, explaining that success stems from passion and dedication to one’s field.
Abdullah Al-Hussein stressed the need to separate work and life, allocate specific time for each, and manage time effectively to maintain balance.
The ImpaQ forum launched on Wednesday in Diriyah, attracting leading global influencers, experts, and content creators. The event, the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia, spanned over 23,000 square meters and provided spaces for innovation, sharing impactful experiences, and creative workshops.