New dedicated Concrete Zone and a Facilities Management Zone in this year’s version

According to a report published by Ventures Middle East for The Big 5, entitled, ‘New technologies utilised in the GCC market’, an estimated USD 108,156 million-worth of construction will take place in Saudi Arabia this year – an increase of over USD 7.1 million from two previous years. Taking place against this backdrop, from March 10 to 13 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums, The Big 5 Saudi 2012 will bring together more than 400 exhibitors from over 35 countries, having doubled in size since its launch in February 2011, with over 75% participants being international, said the organisers, dmg :: events Middle East. Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mansour Bin Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz, the event will occupy two halls at the venue as well as outdoor space.

The organisers highlighted that this year’s version will include a new dedicated Concrete Zone and a Facilities Management Zone, which will provide platforms for the two important industry sectors to position their products and services in a tailored environment.

According to the organisers, underpinning the significance of the construction boom in the Kingdom, there will be a Concrete repair workshop on March 11, to help participants to be up-to-date with concrete repair and corrosion knowledge, in line with the most recent European Standards and Concrete Society Technical Reports, as well as providing the opportunity to enhance their ability to effectively mitigate the risk of concrete damage to improve life-cycle costs and maintain structural integrity. Experts including Tim Thomas, Business Segment Manager, BASF Construction Chemicals, and Kevin Davies, Senior Corrosion Engineer, CorroCiv, will be taking the participants through the paces.

In the light of the sharpening focus on sustainability, LEED Workshops will also be held on March 11, the organisers said. Endorsed by USGBC, it is set to identify the key components of the LEED Rating System and discuss the overall LEED Certification process, in addition to descriptions of the intents and associated concepts of each LEED credit category, with explanations of regulations, recognitions and incentives related to each credit category. Mario Seneviratne, LEED Fellow, USGBC LEED Faculty, and Director of Green Technologies FZCO, will be the workshop facilitator.

Andy White, Event Director, The Big 5 Saudi, giving an overall perspective of the upcoming exhibition said: “The success of the inaugural event in 2011 blew us away. We saw more than 9,000 visitors attend and an impressive 306 exhibitors representing 28 countries. Having to double the size of space available in just the second year is a fantastic representation of the need for such an event in the Saudi market, and the long-term interest that the industry is investing there…. This year’s event is sure to be something of a barometer for the industry in Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to a busy and productive four days.”

According to the organisers of The Big 5 Saudi 2012, Emirates Steel is the Gold Sponsor and Al Arabiya is the official broadcasting partner.

Note: The Big 5 Saudi 2012 will be held from March 10 to 13 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events from 5pm to 10pm each day.