DUBAI, UAE, 1 June 2020: dmg events said its annual trade show, The Big 5, will next be held from September 12 to 15, 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Making the announcement through a Press release, dmg added that the new dates also apply to the specialised events that are staged alongside The Big 5 – The Big 5 Heavy, Middle East Concrete, HVAC R Expo, Middle East Stone, The Big 5 Solar, and the Urban Design & Landscape Expo.

The decision to postpone the event, originally scheduled to take place from November 23 to 26, 2020 in Dubai, comes after a thorough consultation with key stakeholder groups in the wake of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, dmg said through the release.

The new dates are the closest possible, enabling the global construction industry to come together for a successful trade event, and take into consideration a wide set of factors – most importantly the health, safety and convenience of all participants; the ease of travel; and the global events calendar for the industry, dmg said.

Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “It was not an easy decision to take, but we believe it is the best for the construction players we proudly connect and have served since 1979.

“Over the past weeks, we made it our priority to listen to our exhibitors, visitors, and other key stakeholders. We understand how crucial a successful trade event is for their businesses, and how challenging planning ahead can be in such uncertain times. We have, therefore, decided to postpone this year’s event to offer an edition of the scale and nature expected of The Big 5 in 2021, which will boost the construction sector’s recovery efforts in the post-COVID-19 era.”

According to dmg, the early announcement of new dates will enable industry players to plan ahead and join an event that will bring benefit to the whole construction value chain. The new dateline will also be a significant distance away from the current restrictions and will allow both exhibitors and visitors to re-engage with old and new customers in a pleasant and highly productive environment, dmg said.

With Dubai moving the 2020 World Expo to October 2021, the next edition of The Big 5 will come at a time during which Dubai is expected to enter an exciting new growth phase, as it prepares to present an amazing showcase and 21st century city to the world, dmg said.

Meanwhile, The Big 5 will continue pursuing its mission to connect and empower construction players across the globe, dmg said, adding that it will do so in innovative ways, including the launch of a new Digital Festival of Construction, taking place in November 2020, with the aim of assist the industry and boost its resilience through the current challenging times.