Gulf Construction Online - Focus on innovation

The Big 5

Focus on innovation

While Dubai’s construction sector has taken a beating over the past year, The Big 5 provides an opportunity for the industry to come together, network and put a considerable amount of speculation to rest regarding prospects in the UAE market, says the organiser.

01 October 2010

INNOVATION and training courses conducted by some of the world’s leading institutions figure among the highlights of this year’s Big 5, which is set to open at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre next month (November 22 to 25).

Some two months ahead of the show, a total of 2,500 companies from 70 countries have confirmed their participation. This year’s Big 5 has attracted as many as 200 first-time exhibitors to the event, which will see a total of 29 countries hosting their national pavilions, according to a spokesman for the organiser, dmg::events.

The Big 5 2010, the region’s leading event for the building and construction industry, will see more innovative product launches than ever before, with the UAE topping the bill, according to dmg::events.

“With a 20 per cent increase in the number of local exhibitors for this year’s show, it is expected that the show will see the launch of some of the most exciting and contemporary products and technologies at this year’s event,” says the spokesman.

Germany’s pavilion at last year’s Big 5 show.

Professionals from more than 50 countries are expected to attend to what has become the premier annual event for the international construction industry in the region.

“It has been a turbulent 18 months for the region’s construction industry, with Dubai taking a well-needed rest from new project start-ups and other emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Ajman leading the UAE market,” says the spokesman. “Despite this, recent research by Ventures on behalf of The Big 5, has shown a promising five years for the industry, with the UAE leading the way and Saudi Arabia a close second.”

A number of Middle Eastern companies will be making a mark at this year’s event. The Big 5’s environmental partner EcoVentures is launching an innovative patented product which will eliminate the need for sandblasting when fighting rust and will actually use the rust. This certified green product has previously only been used in the oil and gas industry.
Gulf Brands will stage the first regional launch of its international best-selling product, Super Therm ceramic coating. This product, which has been used by oil and gas giants such as Exxon Mobil and Saudi Aramco, offers a revolutionary way of insulating buildings from the harsh desert heat.

Jehan Green will be exhibiting 3D panel systems specifically for low-rise construction projects. This newly-launched environment-friendly product, which is used for external walls, has already garnered lots of attention locally, says the spokesman.

And first-time exhibitor Supaloc/Prolong will be launching an innovative green-friendly engine lubricant that acts as a substitute for oil.

Simon Mellor, vice-president of construction for dmg::events, says: “Recent research has shown that more money is being spent on construction currently, and over the next five years, in the UAE than any other country in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia. The country’s construction industry is now moving at a sensible speed and we hope to see this reflected in the attitudes of our visitors and exhibitors.”

Many regular participants as well as first-time exhibitors are coming to the show with a plethora of innovative new products – some of which will revolutionise standard practices in the industry, he says. “The Big 5 is a time when the industry will come together, network and put a considerable amount of speculation to rest,” he adds.

The Big 5 provides an unrivalled platform for architects, engineers, contractors and developers from the public and private sectors to network, source and specify the latest building and construction products and services. It will also feature an impressive line-up of added-value elements including a key buyers programme, product seminars, a conference programme and the acclaimed Gaia Awards.

This apart, some of the world’s leading institutions from the building and construction world will come together to host a series of special training courses on environmental, managerial and technical topics during The Big 5 2010.

“The Institution of Civil Engineers, Association of Consultancy and Engineering and the Institution of Structural Engineers are just three of the high-profile authorities that will offer accredited courses in some of the industry’s most popular and relevant subjects,” the spokesman says.

The training courses will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre on November 23 and 24 and are open to visitors of The Big 5. At the end of the courses, attendees will be given relevant certificates and accreditations.

“This is an exclusive opportunity for design, engineering and construction professionals to receive specialised training that they may not have had easy access to in the past. The institutions represented at the event will be some of the most highly-acclaimed in the world and will be providing regional and international professionals an opportunity to increase their industry knowledge,” says Riad Mannan, training director for The Big 5.

He continues: “Having assessed the needs of our visitors, we wanted to enhance their experience by providing intellectual training courses catering to these requirements. We have compiled a variety of essential training courses specifically for this event and this helps us to support the continuing innovation and ambition within the industry.”

The courses will include ‘Safety for Senior Executives’ from the Institution of Safety and Health (IOSH), ‘Climate Change and Energy Management for Facilities Managers’ from the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) and ‘Structurally Engineering – The Future’ from the Institution of Structural Engineers.