World of construction gets together this November in Dubai: Big 5 Global

26-29 November 2024, Dubai
The annual meeting hub for the global construction industry in MEASA.

The construction industry's biggest event in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), Big 5 Global, returns for its 45th edition from November 26 to 29, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s event brings together over 100,000 professionals from 165 countries, offering an unmatched opportunity for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. With over 2,700 exhibitors and 300 speakers, Big 5 Global is the ultimate platform for showcasing innovations and advancements in construction, urban development, geospatial technology, and facilities management.

A Meeting Point for the Construction World

Big 5 Global 2024 is more than a trade show—it’s a convergence point for the construction industry’s top minds. Participants will explore critical trends and challenges shaping the sector as they navigate an exhibition featuring 60,000+ products and solutions. This year, leading brands such as MILWAUKEE, Stanley Black & Decker, and Siemens will be present, alongside new-to-show exhibitors like China State Construction International Holdings, Knauf Ceiling & Solutions, and Zoho Corporation.

In addition to the main exhibition, Big 5 Global will host 20 country pavilions, showcasing unique construction solutions from countries including Austria, Germany, South Korea, and Turkey. The range of exhibitors and the international diversity of participants highlight the event’s global impact and its role in advancing construction practices and technologies.

Addressing the Future of Urbanization

The event comes at a pivotal moment for the MEASA region, where rapid urbanization and national development agendas are driving an unprecedented demand for infrastructure. According to the World Bank, by 2080, 80% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, with much of this growth occurring in MEASA. The Big 5 Global event offers an essential platform for tackling the challenges of urban expansion and sustainable development.

As Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, explains, “This ultimate urban development and construction meetup is where the future of our cities takes shape.” By gathering key stakeholders from vision to project execution, the event facilitates discussions on creating liveable and resilient cities that can sustain the needs of future populations.

Strategic Summits Focused on Industry Transformation

Running alongside Big 5 Global, the co-located events LiveableCitiesX, Future FM, and GeoWorld will host five strategic summits featuring over 1,500 leaders from both the public and private sectors. The summits, including the Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, aim to foster discussions on critical topics like sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation.

Among the event's distinguished speakers, Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, will address the LiveableCitiesX Summit on the importance of building resilient and sustainable urban communities. The summits will also feature leaders such as Maysarah Eid, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre, and Fred Mills, Founder and Managing Director of The B1M, who will share insights into how construction is transforming cities worldwide.

Supporting National Visions and Economic Growth

National development plans, like UAE Vision 2031, are key drivers for the construction boom in MEASA, where the total project pipeline is valued at $9 trillion, with $6.75 trillion in pre-construction stages. These ambitious visions fuel significant investments in urban development, economic diversification, and technological advancements.

The event underscores the UAE’s commitment to sustainable urban development, as noted by Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, who will address the importance of public-private collaboration in achieving greener, future-ready industries. As national visions across MEASA push forward, Big 5 Global is positioned as a vital event to support these goals, creating a platform for discussing policy, partnerships, and industry standards.

A Platform for Product Innovation Across Eight Sectors

Big 5 Global 2024 is organized into eight product sectors, catering to all facets of construction and urban development. Sectors include building interiors, digital construction, intelligent buildings, off-site and modular construction, and solar technologies. This structured approach enables attendees to easily access relevant products and solutions, making it easier to identify innovations that align with their projects and strategic goals.

This year’s event emphasizes how interconnected products and sectors can collectively support the sustainable urban environments of the future, demonstrating that the path forward in construction involves collaboration, technological advancement, and shared goals for resilient urbanization.

Shaping the Future of MEASA’s Urban Landscape

As cities across MEASA prepare for the future, Big 5 Global is more relevant than ever. With its focus on digital transformation, sustainable development, and cross-industry collaboration, the event provides an invaluable platform for stakeholders to address the needs of a rapidly urbanizing world. Big 5 Global 2024 is set to play a critical role in shaping the urban landscape, fostering connections and insights that will drive the construction industry into a sustainable, digitally-empowered future.

Embracing Digital Transformation in Construction

Big 5 Global 2024 places a significant emphasis on digital transformation in the construction sector. At the Big 5 FutureTech Summit, leaders from companies like Khansaheb Civil Engineering, JLL, and Orascom Construction will explore the unique challenges and opportunities of digital adoption in construction. Panel discussions will delve into topics like the importance of top-down support for digital initiatives and how organizations can create a culture of innovation to support digital evolution.

A fireside chat with Vladimir Milovanovic, CEO of Lupa Technologies, and Peter Banathy, Regional Director at Diales, will focus on the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making. They will discuss how construction-specific AI and data analytics can help resolve industry challenges and optimize project workflows.