The 44th edition of Big 5 Global, marked as the largest and most influential construction event, has recently concluded in Dubai, setting a new record with over 81,000 attendees from 166 countries. This four-day event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 4th to 7th, 2023, highlighted the growing importance and dynamism of the global construction industry.
Josine Heijmans, Vice President – Construction at dmg events, the organizers of Big 5 Global, expressed her excitement, stating, “This year Big 5 Global surpassed expectations, attracting the highest ever number of construction professionals from various corners of the world.” This milestone underscores the event’s role in fostering a conducive environment for sharing expertise, developing global partnerships, and showcasing new advancements in construction technology and practices.
The event was a hub for major deals and partnerships, reinforcing the significance of exhibitions in building strong business relationships. One notable deal was between Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) and Grand Move, involving the development of a $17.8mn community mall in the new Al Falah district. This project aims to enhance community engagement with facilities like a medical center, sports club, and various retail and F&B outlets. Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, highlighted the project’s contribution to the district’s development.
Floors & Walls, another exhibitor, secured distribution partnerships for their brands in several Middle Eastern countries, with an expected annual yield of over $20mn. Valy Ossman, CEO of Floors & Walls, praised the event and confirmed their participation in the 2024 edition.
This year’s event also featured several product launches, including three Wacker Neuson Zero Emission products by UAE-based United Motors & Heavy Equipment Company, and the RD8200 SG, a survey grade mapping and utility locator, launched in the UAE for the first time.
The Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit was a highlight of the event, where industry leaders discussed the future of the construction sector. Additionally, the Big 5 FutureTech Summit focused on future-proofing the sector with technology. The event also featured discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on design and architecture at Everything Architecture.
Supported by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), Start-up City at the event was a platform for emerging industry players to showcase their innovative ideas, contributing to the sector’s digital transformation. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of DCDE, emphasized the chamber’s commitment to nurturing promising technology companies.
The event included over 130 CPD-certified Big 5 Talks covering a wide range of topics. Speakers discussed technology adoption, sustainable building methods, and the urgent need to improve materials to mitigate climate change. Belarmino Cordero of Eumada and Dr. Ing. Ali Ismail of Dubai Municipality were among the notable speakers.
Big 5 Global received support from various public and private sectors, including the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Dubai Municipality, and Dubai Civil Defense. The event’s success has set high expectations for the next edition, scheduled from November 26th to 29th, 2024, as mentioned by Heijmans.
