DUBAI, UAE, 5 June 2024: The seventh edition of the Construction Technology ConFEX (CTF) UAE, which concluded on June 4, brought together over 800 stakeholders and industry professionals from across the globe, b2b Connect, the organisers, said through a Press release. The 2024 edition highlighted four core themes within the industry – ‘climate & decarbonisation’, ‘wellbeing & social agenda’, ‘viability & competitive edge’ and ‘productivity & performance’.

The event explored the steps necessary for the industry to excel across these themes and the critical role that technology and digitalisation will play in achieving them in an organised and effective manner, b2b Connect said. Together, they align with the UAE’s commitment to create world-class infrastructure and to foster a greener, more sustainable future through innovation and collaboration, b2b Connect added.

Katies Briggs, Events Director at b2b Connect, said: “CTF UAE 2024 explored essential steps for industry excellence, as it embraces increasingly sophisticated construction technology and digitalisation techniques. Our skylines are becoming icons of progress, sustainability and human ingenuity, and this would not be possible without the use of advanced technologies and digitalisation.”

The event covered a wide array of topics, including Sustainability, Scaling up Adoption, People & Skills, PMIS, ERP, Digital Twins, BIM, Cloud and AI, b2b Connect said, adding that attendees received in-depth knowledge and actionable strategies to navigate the industry’s evolving landscape, courtesy insights from over 165 industry experts.

More than 800 attendees, comprising project developers, contractors, consultants, technology providers, startups and stakeholders from over 20 countries gathered at CTF UAE to connect, collaborate and explore new opportunities, b2b Connect said. The ConFEX served as a platform to foster meaningful partnerships and drive innovation within the construction technology ecosystem, it added.

One of the highlights of CTF UAE was the Construction Technology Awards 2024, held on June 4. The awards exercise recognised and celebrated outstanding achievements in the industry, promoting excellence across the field, b2b Connect said. With over 200 entries across 21 categories, the competition was intense, and the awards attracted  participation from a number of high-profile industry professionals, b2b Connect said, adding that the winners earned the gong for their exceptional contributions and groundbreaking achievements in leveraging technology to drive transformation and achieve remarkable results.

According to b2b Connect, the winners were:

BIM CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Nadeem Eldhuieb – Mott MacDonald

WOMAN IN CONTECH AWARD

Ana W Hudson – Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven)

CONTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR

Syed Shah Saud – Red Sea Global

CONTECH RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Khalid Abdullah Alhoqail – Misk Foundation

CONTECH STAR OF THE YEAR

Daniel Llort Mac Donald – Ministry Of Energy And Infrastructure, UAE

BIM ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Red Sea Global

CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR

ATKINSRÉALIS

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

NESMA & Partners

STARTUP OF THE YEAR

Pulse Technologies

SUSTAINABLE ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

Alpin Limited

DIGITAL DESIGN ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

ATKINSRÉALIS

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR – PROPTECH

DEYAAR Development

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR – CLIENT

NEOM

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR – CONSULTANT

KEO International Consultants

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR – CONTRACTOR

Saudi Binladin Group – Contracting

CTF CHOICE FOR BEST PMIS IMPLEMENTATION

Rua Al Madinah Holding

BIM PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Aldar – Haven – Parsons

DIGITAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Urban Landbank Using Aerial Survey And Artificial Intelligence, Khatib & Alami

DIGITAL TWIN PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Ellisdon Eko Digital Twin: Healthcare Facility – Ellisdon

OFFSITE PROJECT OF THE YEAR

R1013/2D – Improvement of Al Shindagha Corridor Phase 2D – China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East

TECH FOR SAFETY AWARD

Safety Command Centre Jafurah Gas Plant – ARAMCO According to b2b Connect, CTF UAE also featured a co-located event – the Property Technology ConFEX 2024, presented by owners, asset management, property management, facilities management, community management and commercial real estate professionals. Together, b2b Connect said, they explored digital use-cases aimed at enhancing profitability, end-user experience and operational efficiencies while reducing carbon emissions.