The Big 5 show has been taking place in Dubai annually for more than 30 years and this year will mark a significant evolution in terms of content, added value elements and further sectorizing the event in terms of product categories.
The show floor will combine a mixture of product specific sections as well as the traditional National Pavilions.
The Big 5 will take place from Nov. 21 to 24 at Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center.
“We have invested significantly this year in gaining a deeper understanding into the way in which The Big 5 can provide more added value for both exhibitors and visitors, and ensure that all participants get the most out of these four days,” said Andy White, event director for The Big 5.
He said the Middle East construction market presents significant opportunity for the local and international industry across a variety of sectors, and feedback had highlighted that easy access to new, innovative and sustainable products is at the top of most people’s list.
In addition to the new layout, The Big 5 2011 brings a number of new additions to the four-day event at Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Center.
There will be over 130 “free to attend” product seminars, open to exhibitors and visitors.
These will take place as product showcases, where exhibitors will demonstrate the most cost-effective and sustainable features of their products alongside international case studies.
Another new feature at this year’s event will be The Big 5 Green Build Congress, which will provide an opportunity for all construction sectors to understand further the drivers for sustainable change, as well as gain experience in the practical elements of benchmarking and implementation.
The event will include a “Vision Day” with industry experts defining their vision for a green and sustainable future, followed by a two-day “Action Forum” enabling action of a green strategy in an interactive, practical and engaging event format.
Speakers will include internationally acclaimed experts, Nawal Al-Hosany, associate director of sustainability at Masdar City, Keith Clark, head of sustainability at Atkins, Mario Seneviratne, director of sustainability at US Green Building Council and Prof. Jean-Louis Scartezzini, director, Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory EPFL.
The Big 5 will also see the return of successful features, including the Gaia Awards, which honors companies who have contributed toward reducing the damaging impact of construction on the environment, through the development or distribution of sustainable products and services.
Winners will be announced during the Green Build Congress.
The Platinum Club will also resume this year, bringing together high-level construction industry players, with spending budgets in excess of $100 million.
The Big 5 anticipates that the Club will see a 30 percent increase on 2010 participation as the region’s construction industry continues to see growth in activity.
A recent report from Ventures, commissioned by The Big 5 2011, entitled “New technologies utilized in the GCC” has highlighted the increasing influence of the UAE and other GCC countries within the international construction industry, in terms of business and technology.
Available onsite, the report details a number of new products being brought into the market by national companies.
White said: “Myself and the team are looking forward to an exciting four-day event, and having formally seen projects including the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al-Arab specked out at the event, we hope to see lots of activity at The Big 5 2011.”
Middle East Concrete, PMV Live and FM Expo are now operating under The Big 5 portfolio of events and will run alongside The Big 5 in 2011 and beyond.
