An anticipated 40,000 visitors are expected to arrive at the Big 5 to see first-hand the products and services of well over 2,500 local and international exhibitors at the five-day (October 28 to November 1) international construction showcase.

The show – which has become the region’s “must-see” event for the construction sector – will host a total of 30 country pavilions and cover 36,000 sq m at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. This year, in addition to the eight halls, the Sheikh Maktoum Hall, Sheikh Rashid, the Al Multaqa hall, the Pavilion and the Concourse, the show also covers the newly-completed Zabeel Hall.
“One of the longest running events in Dubai, The Big 5 is today one of the world’s major construction shows, with a global reputation,” says Bernard Walsh, managing director of dmg world media Dubai, the organiser of the show. “It plays a major role in the international construction industry and there are few, if any other events anywhere in the world that compare in terms of floor space, number of exhibitors, international representation and number of visitors.”
“The addition of the new Zabeel Hall to the DICEC has added 15,000 sq m of floor space, and this has enabled us to welcome many more regional and international exhibitors to our shows this year. The increase in exhibition space is not only welcome, but will have a further positive effect on Dubai’s competitive edge as it looks to stage the world’s biggest and most prestigious events” he adds.
Top firms with cutting-edge products and innovative technologies from 56 countries are vying with each other to seal deals or secure leads for a key sector that’s witnessing the kind of activity it has never witnessed before.
The Big 5 covers seven key product sectors: building and construction, water technology and environment, air conditioning and refrigeration, cleaning and maintenance, glass and metal, bathrooms and ceramics and marble and machinery,
Internationally recognised as the most important meeting place for the building and construction industry in the Middle East, this year’s Big 5 is the largest ever, with every one of these product sectors greatly expanded to meet the huge demand generated by one of the world’s most active construction markets.
“Every product sector at the Big 5 has expanded, in particular marble and stone, which now fills the entire Sheikh Rashid Hall,” says Walsh.
Once again, the big guns are here. Germany, Italy, the UK, Austria, China and many others have all returned, hoping to penetrate further with their new products and technologies. As in previous years, Germany represents the biggest national group. The official German pavilion will cover about 6,000 sq m in the new Zabeel hall and more than 300 German companies are offering high-quality products and services all related to the construction sector.
Another major national pavilion is Italy. Since the inception of the show, Italian companies have been major participants. Last year saw 250 Italian firms and this year, the Italian pavilion has around 300 companies offering their latest products and services. A live demonstration of Italian technology applied to building materials is being shown at the stand organised by the Italian Trade Commission, Trade Promotion Section of the Italian Embassy in Dubai.
The UK pavilion will dominate Hall 2 at the exhibition and will include more than 60 companies, some of which will be financially supported by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
Wales, too has more firms participating at the show than ever before are here, thanks to support from the Welsh Assembly Government’s overseas trade and investment arm, International Business Wales, via its Objective 1 Programme, Export Assist. For the second year running, IBW is hosting a major stand at the show.
A total of 36 Portuguese companies under the theme “Portuguese Building Material, Building Your World,” and an equal number of Austrian firms will also be present at their respective country pavilions.
Commenting on the buoyancy in the industry and the role played by the Big 5 show, Walsh says: “With governments focusing strongly on the expansion of their tourism, business (and by implication, residential) infrastructure, the large number of current (and planned) major construction projects in the residential and commercial sectors, it was crucial that the regional industry dedicates exhibitions that give key decision-makers the opportunity to see the latest and best that the world leaders have to offer.
“Projects throughout the region are using state-of-the-art technology – the Palm, Jumeirah being just one example of a development that is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The Big 5 contributes to making these dreams a reality by giving the region’s construction professionals the opportunity to meet experts from all over the world and share knowledge and best practice with them in addition to sourcing essential products, techniques and expertise.”
“We have also introduced an educational element to our exhibitions to benefit the industry in general. Free technical seminars, presented by experts from the world’s leading companies, covering the most important industry topics, including the latest product and service developments, are held alongside the show. Last year, we staged a total of 60 seminars over the five days of the Big 5 exhibition,” he adds. “We strongly believe that these sessions present the region’s construction sector with new, innovative solutions to their requirements.”
Following the enthusiastic response to the series of seminars held last year, the programme has been expanded further and will be held every day of the exhibition.
This year, leading experts from around the world will discuss topics ranging from thermal insulation of windows, doors and facades, specialist solutions in glass for architecture and design to solar protection solutions, precast and steel constructions and chilled water production and distribution systems.
The speakers will discuss the latest trends and product innovations that will help the region’s construction industry work more efficiently and more securely to deliver ever higher quality results – all key elements in what is the world’s most active and competitive construction market.
“The seminars cover a wide range of topics that have particular relevance to the Middle East market,” says Walsh. “We have worked hard with our exhibitors to create a programme that will help our colleagues in the construction industry keep up to date with the latest developments in an ever-evolving sector.”
“The Big 5 brings the best that the world has to offer, in terms of products and services, to the Middle East each year. These seminars give us the opportunity to allow visitors access to best international working practices, and to discuss new technologies and product innovations that will directly benefit their businesses.”
Demand for places at the free seminars, which are being held in rooms A and B above the Sheikh Maktoum Hall, is heavy, and visitors are advised to reserve their seats early.
The very first event in the series in what is today The Big 5 took place well over 20 years ago, even before the exhibition halls were built in Dubai. “Focused on water-related products and services initially, it took place in a tent on the banks of the Dubai Creek. Since that humble beginning, the event has evolved, both in size and product profile, into the Big 5, with a number of name changes over the years that have reflected the expansion of the regional market,” he says.
Over the years, thousands of satisfied exhibitors have reported to have achieved their goals in participating at the show, if not in actually clinching deals at least in creating market awareness and establishing local contact – a much valued aspect in doing business with the regional market.
This year’s Big 5 looks set to carry on that tradition and raise the star-rating of this prestigious event even higher on the firmament of leading international construction exhibitions.