“The Big 5 Saudi Arabia,” the international construction and building exhibition, celebrated its fifth anniversary this year when Engineer Abdullah Al-Qarni, Acting Mayor of Jeddah, officially opened the exhibition in the city of Jeddah. The event took place on the evening of Monday, March 9, and continued through March 12, 2015. Held at the Jeddah Convention and Events Center, the event featured numerous accompanying activities and events that were well-received by participants and visitors alike for the diverse skills and knowledge they provided.
A Sturdy Bridge to Enter The Saudi Construction Market
The Big Five Exhibition has continued the success it began upon its launch in 2011, opening up the Saudi construction and building market with great enthusiasm, given the significant expansion the sector is experiencing through the massive development projects the Kingdom has witnessed in recent years and thescheduled for future implementation—especially since the projected total value of development projects by 2020 is expected to exceed $3 trillion. This is in addition to the significant attention the government is giving to this sector, which has resulted in an influx of exhibitors and manufacturers from both within and outside the Kingdom to participate in the important event «Saudi Big 5,» which is considered an attractive and fruitful gateway for major international companies across various specializations and fields to network with their local counterparts, conclude business deals, and sign various contracts and agreements, in addition to exchanging expertise and knowledge.
545 Companies at the Exhibition Halls Are Building Success
As a result of the exhibition’s success in previous editions and its continuous growth from one edition to the next, this year’s event hosted 545 exhibiting companies, making «The Big 5 Saudi Arabia» an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their products and investment programs throughout the four days of the exhibition. Participating companies expressed that they benefited greatly and achieved high levels of success, particularly as the exhibition continues to evolve steadily and sees a notable increase in the number of visitors and exhibitors, as well as comprehensive media coverage.
Facts and Figures
The exhibition has achieved steady and rapid growth in meeting its goals, becoming the region’s premier international event for construction projects. It is eagerly anticipated by those interested, and over the past four years—since its launch in the Kingdom—the exhibition has seen growth of approximately 90%. This has made it a magnet for companies and interested parties, thanks to the challenges and innovations that accompany each edition.
Exhibition Figures and Statistics
«The Big 5 Saudi Arabia» exhibition kicked off in 2011 A.D..
The exhibition saw an increase in the number of visitors and exhibiting companies, with 300 A Start-up Company in a Year 2011 In exchange for more than 545 A company making its debut this year 2015
And from 9,000 Visitor per year 2011 To more than 15,000 In the year 2014.
The total area allocated for the exhibition expanded from 7,000 square meters per year 2011 A.D. to 20,000 square meters per year 2015 AD.
More than 25 An accredited seminar and workshop.
Various training courses and discussion sessions
In line with its commitment to professional responsibility, the exhibition organized a series of free, accredited training courses in the field of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The aim was to refine and enhance skills and foster career development. The event also featured 8 seminars, 4 panel discussions, and 5 presentations on various projects, attended by a significant number of participants and members of the public. The educational seminars provided visitors and those interested in this field with the opportunity to build and advance their professional careers.
First Workshop for Women on the “LEED” System”
On its third day, Wednesday, March 11, the »5 Big“ Saudi Arabia exhibition organized the first workshop for women on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system as part of this year’s event at the Holiday Inn Jeddah Gate. The workshop helped participants understand the structure of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and learn about the program’s minimum requirements through a discussion of the comprehensive certification process.
The workshop focused on concepts related to each credit category of the Leadership System in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and on developing the ability to identify successful system strategies and metrics for achieving banking credit category objectives. The workshop was led by trainer Mario Senferatni, Director of Green Technologies at FZCO.
A Successful Participation and Gold Sponsorship from «Al-Rajhi Steel»
Al-Rajhi Steel Company participated with a distinctive booth and as a Gold Sponsor at the 2015 “Big Five” Exhibition in Jeddah, an event the company has consistently attended for many years; it was an ideal opportunity to showcase its outstanding products. The company distributed brochures detailing its activities, production facilities, products, and the applications of those products. His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Al-Qarni, Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Jeddah for Projects, visited the booth and was received by Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al-Amoudi, Vice President for the Jeddah Sector; Engineer Muwafaq Mubarah, Vice President of Sales and Marketing; and Engineer Faisal bin Eidan, Executive Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning, who provided a detailed explanation of the development of the steel industry in the region.
Mr. Al-Qahtani expressed his pride in the company’s presence through a distinctive booth designed specifically for this occasion, where the company showcased its diverse products to visitors, who expressed their admiration for the high global standards achieved by Saudi and Gulf industries, noting that the exhibition is an extremely important event, as it provides attendees with access to solutions and expertise in the fields of building, construction, and contracting.
Engineer Mufaq Mubarah said, »The exhibition allows exhibitors to open new channels in the Saudi market, coinciding with the growing momentum of investment in building construction and infrastructure projects. Participating in such exhibitions is essential because they provide an ideal platform for showcasing their products.” .
Highlights of the Exhibition
The Big Five Expo featured several highlights that underscored its economic and investment value; the most notable of these highlights and general observations were as follows:
• The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom throughout its run, particularly during the opening and closing ceremonies.
• Families made up a significant portion of the attendees and were eager to explore all the exhibition pavilions.
• Citizens of Gulf countries had a notable presence throughout the exhibition. In addition, a number of visitors representing various European, African, and Asian countries attended.
• A large number of businesspeople and visitors interviewed by the newspaper »Amlak» expressed their deep admiration for the significant advancements on display at the exhibition in the fields of construction technology, building, design, and interior decoration.
• A number of national, regional, and international companies specializing in construction, building, and interior design had a strong presence at the event, with most of them sending teams at the highest management levels.
Participants Highlight the Pioneering Role of the ”5 Big Saudi” Exhibition and Outline Its Benefits
Participants confirmed the success of the fifth edition of the International Building and Construction Exhibition, ”The Big 5 Saudi,” due to the large number of visitors and interested parties who attended, This was in addition to the accompanying activities and events, which had a significant impact on the positive engagement throughout four days filled with hard work, business deals, and a realistic assessment of the Saudi market, as well as the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Nathan Wah: A platform for industry experts
Nathan Wah, Events Director at D.M.G Events, to the success of the event, which reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to construction and investment for the benefit of the nation and contributes to supporting the regional economy. The exhibition’s success has made it the most prominent international event for construction projects in the Kingdom. It provides a platform for industry experts to exchange knowledge and showcase their products and services in a large and growing market. We are confident that exhibitors and visitors will reap numerous benefits from participating in the exhibition.“.
Alharbi: Evolution in content and quality of organization
Tariq Al-Harbi, deputy director of the Abdullah Salem bin Hindi Al-Harbi Foundation and one of the exhibition’s visitors, said: “Every year, the exhibition sees significant improvements in terms of scale and organizational quality. I make a point of visiting the exhibition every year to learn about market trends and the products and services available, as well as to attend the workshops organized during the exhibition.”
Elliot Rizk: 78% Positive Impact on Business
Elliot Rizk, Director of Business Development at “Mays,” emphasized the exhibition’s success and its contribution of added value to the construction industry, with 98% of visitors confirming they return every year because the exhibition is an essential component for the growth of their diverse businesses and has a positive impact on their purchases at a rate of 87%.”.
Horsfall: Breaking Records with Several Deals
Michael Horsfall, Business Director at Tamkeen, said: “This year’s exhibition provided us with a platform to connect directly with our clients. Over the past two years, the exhibition’s success has had a direct positive impact on revenue and set new records for the number of business deals concluded. We will continue to support ”The Big 5 Saudi Arabia.““
The Amlak Newspaper Booth (Exhibition Sponsor) Wows Participants and Visitors
The Amlak newspaper booth (the exhibition’s sponsor) made a distinctive and impressive appearance, as many visitors and participants made a point of visiting the newspaper’s booth and picking up copies of its issues. The reporting team conducted a number of interviews with participants and visitors about their impressions of the exhibition’s events, and the team also documented the exhibition’s activities. .
