The growing public interest in real estate is evident from the fact that any expo related to this sector, whether in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the region, becomes a huge draw.
So, there is nothing surprising that the Big 5 Saudi International Building and Construction Show is being eagerly awaited.
Taking place from Monday until Thursday at Jeddah Center for Forums and Events, the construction event has grown nearly 90 percent over the past four years. Between 2011 and 2014.
Its exhibitors have increased from 300 to more than 504, visitor numbers have gone up from 9,000 to more than 15,000, and the total event space has grown from 7,000 sqm to 20,000 sqm now with all space sold out.
Why this annual event in particular is highly successful is that it brings together thousands of visitors and exhibitors under one roof and showcases cutting-edge construction products and innovations from around the world.
No doubt, construction plays a key role in Saudi Arabia — providing a platform for house building, employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, and growth potential for local businesses. In 2014 alone, it is estimated that $75 billion construction projects were awarded, and an estimated $200 billion in contracts will be awarded over the next two years.
As rightly pointed out by Nathan Waugh, event director for The Big 5 Saudi, the Saudi construction sector is one of the most significant economic drivers in the Kingdom, and has played a major role in the country’s development.
A key feature attracting the attention is that the free educational sessions, which proved very popular with attendees last year, have been increased in this year’s event.
The Big 5 Saudi organizers deserve congratulations for presenting the first ladies only LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) workshop this time. With many women evincing interest in the real estate sector, the full day workshop will certainly be helpful to them. The innovative workshop will help them understand the structure of the LEED rating system and minimum program requirements, while discussing the overall LEED certification process, which is so important.
During the course of the day, participants will learn about the associated concepts of each LEED credit category and gain the ability to recognize successful LEED strategies and measurements for achieving credit category goals.
This is one more feather to the cap of the organizers.
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