The Big 5

The Big 5 is a series of construction trade fairs originating in Dubai connecting international suppliers of construction products and services with buyers from the MENA region.

Visitors at The Big 5 2016 in Dubai

The Big 5 is held annually in Dubai in late November and attracted 64,595 participants in 2017, according to figures from media auditing firm BPA Worldwide, making The Big 5 in Dubai the largest construction event in the Middle East.[1]

Organised by dmg events, there are five annual editions of the exhibition that take place in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, East Africa (Kenya), Morocco, and Egypt. The first Big 5 Construct Nigeria is expected to launch in Lagos in 2019. Additionally, The Big 5 Heavy (running in Dubai) focuses on the infrastructure industry, while The Big 5 Solar provides a dedicated platform for solar solutions for construction.

History

The Big 5 has its origins in an event known as Arab Water and came about from an amalgamation of five separate product-focused events that all had a link to the construction sector[2] - such as HVAC and building materials. With the building of the Dubai World Trade Centre, which began to develop in the late 1970s, the event found a permanent home and has expanded in size along with the venue. When dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa acquired the exhibition in 2000, the event covered some 12,000m²: this has risen to a current figure of 114,720² in gross floor space and 47,584m² in net exhibiting area. State support for the event has come from both international and local institutions. In 2007, the event was one of the first in the region to welcome a prime minister when the then Italian leader Romano Prodi visited the exhibition with his minister for international trade.[3] In 2012, British prime minister David Cameron also visited the event in support of his nation’s export businesses.[4] The visits reflected both the value of bilateral trade with the UAE but also the rise in importance of the Persian Gulf region as a whole to European export manufacturers,[5] with EU exports to the GCC valued at $125bn in 2015.[6]

Development and expansion

Exhibitors and visitors at The Big 5 2016

The Big 5 has spawned seven geo-adapted events, where core elements of the exhibition have been exported to new markets. This has resulted in the creation of:

  • The Big 5 Saudi
  • The Big 5 Construct East Africa
  • The Big 5 Construct Morocco
  • The Big 5 Construct Egypt
  • The Big 5 Construct Nigeria (launching in 2019)

Focused on the construction sector and its products in the geographies where they take place, the events draw influences and content from across the spectrum of built environment interests. Sector specific events have also developed out of the growth of The Big 5. The largest of these is The Big 5 Heavy. Other spin-off events are The Big 5 Solar, Gulf Glass, Middle East Concrete, FM Expo, HVAC R Expo in Dubai, HVAC R Expo Saudi, FM Expo Saudi, Urban Design & Landscaping Expo, Windows Doors & Facades Event.

The launch of these additional events reflects dmg events’ declared strategy of using geo-adaptation as it pursues regional expansion.[7]

Special features: education, awards and services

The Big 5 2016 - Workshops

Since 2010 there has also been an increasing emphasis on education within the events - in the form of conferences, seminars and workshops - to support continued professional development among audiences.DEC backs key Dubai construction summit The educational programmes are presented by a wide selection of the industry’s architects, consultants, contractors and sub-contractors who volunteer their time and expertise to further the development of the construction sector. These free education components also include certification, overseen by the UK-based CPD Certification Service, so attendance can contribute to a person’s membership standing in organisations such as RICS or the CIOB.

Gaia Awards 2016 winners at The Big 5 Dubai

The Big 5 has sought to promote the development of sustainable construction practices, a policy which resulted in the launch of its Gaia Awards[8] in 2008. The awards programme reflected the event’s increased focus on sustainable technologies[9] and supported government directives in the UAE that mandated companies in the construction sector to build green.[10] The awards programme highlights the work of companies in the construction sector whose products and services can demonstrate a reduced environmental impact. The programme is open to all construction-related businesses operating in the MENA region and typically includes a collection of category awards and an overall winner. Past winners have included Basalt Rock Composite[11] (2015), SageGlass (2016), and Hidrostank (2017). [12] Introduced for the first time in 2016, the Gaia Award's public vote awarded ASSA ABLOY's Low Energy Lock at Big 5 the same year.[13]

Additional services include the creation of a Platinum Club, an invite-only collection of key buyers and other industry influencers who are given access to additional support services at the events.[14] Live demonstrations have also become a staple of the event formats, offering participating exhibitors the chance to show how their products and services work in a practical setting to an audience who can participate directly[15]

References

  1. ↑ Record-breaker Big 5 to go ‘bigger and smarter’
  2. ↑ "Gulf Construction Online - dmg promises 'memorable experience'". www.gulfconstructiononline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  3. ↑ "Gulf Construction Online - Show shatters previous records". www.gulfconstructiononline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  4. ↑ Editor, By Saifur Rahman, Business (2012-11-05). "UK PM Cameron at Big 5 Show". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  5. ↑ "Gulf region - Trade - European Commission". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  6. ↑ "European Union, Trade in goods with GCC 6" (PDF). European Commission. European Commission. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  7. ↑ "dmg events geo-adapts FM EXPO in Saudi Arabia as facilities management sector strengthens - MENA Herald". MENA Herald. 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  8. ↑ staff, CW. "Sustainability tops Big 5 agenda | ConstructionWeekOnline.com". www.constructionweekonline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  9. ↑ "The Big 5 recognises green initiative through Gaia Awards". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  10. ↑ Reporter, By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff (2007-10-24). "Dubai to turn green in 2008". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  11. ↑ "The Big 5: Basalt Rock Composite wins prize at GAIA Awards – Middle East Construction News". Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  12. ↑ http://meconstructionnews.com/19096/sageglass-wins-big-5-gaia-award-for-innovative-green-product
  13. ↑ Abloy wins sustainable building product award – Gaia Award
  14. ↑ Bambridge, John. "Going live: prepping for The Big 5, MEC & PMV Live | ConstructionWeekOnline.com". www.constructionweekonline.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  15. ↑ "Gulf Extrusions to participate in The Big 5 2015 | Zawya". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
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