Under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Big 5 Construct Saudi opens in Riyadh

Four-day show brings together leaders from the industrial and construction sectors, as well as project stakeholders, to discuss governance, collaboration opportunities, supply chain resilience and delivery practices across Saudi Arabia’s major projects

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 31 August 2026: Under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Big 5 Construct Saudi kicked off at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Eng. Fawaz bin Badr Al Shora, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Services and Compliance and will run for four days. Also present at the opening ceremony was Matt Denton, President of dmg events.

Taking place from 30 August - 2 September 2026, this edition brings the foundational stages of construction and related industrial sectors into focus through Big 5 Construct Saudi and its four specialized events, HVACR Saudi Arabia, FM & Clean Saudi Arabia, Heavy Saudi Arabia and Totally Concrete Saudi Arabia.

AlShora was given a guided tour of the exhibition, which comes at an important stage for the Kingdom’s industrial, construction and building sectors, as work continues towards realizing Vision 2030 targets.

Leadership and governance take centre stage

Among a raft of insightful discussions on Day 1 was the opening leadership panel, which examined how stronger governance, collaboration and transparency can support the delivery of complex projects. Moderated by Darko Macura FCIOB, Chief Executive Officer, Al Kholi Group, panellists Christopher Seymour, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Mace Arabia;  Khalid Dugaither, Director, Corporate Procurement & Contracts, ROSHN; and Yousuf Bin Zayed, General Manager, Al-Futtaim Facilities Management, called for strong collaboration among construction stakeholders for seamless project execution as well as the need to address procurement, logistics and workforce challenges early in the project lifecycle. .

“Project controls have really improved over the past five years and teams are under more scrutiny and need to be more resilient. One area we can create even greater resilience in is bringing that planning as far forward as we can. Change is happening; it’s now about how we create project environments to adapt to that change,” said Seymour.

Yousuf Bin Zayed, from Al Futtaim, talked about the importance of collaboration in the supply chain to achieve resilience, adding: “We have cases where we have stood beside developers in the Kingdom, showing belief in their projects and in their plans to ensure a positive outcome.”

The practical realities of construction site delivery also came into focus during another leadership panel, ‘Enhancing planning, coordination and supervision standards on construction sites,’ which examined how project teams can improve day-to-day execution. The panel featured Kevin Beaver FCIOB, Delivery Director - Expo Riyadh 2030, Bechtel; Joel Thompson MCIOB, Senior Manager - Projects, Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC); Mohamed Yamani, FMC Director, Dussman Ajlan & Bros.; and Omran Mahmood Alam, Senior Project Manager, House of Consulting Office, and was moderated by Rachael Jones, Head of Specialist Services, JLL. The panellists reiterated that committed leadership and technology adoption are key to meeting end-user expectations and upskilling the construction workforce.

Stressing the vital role project leaders play, Beaver said: “Leaders need to be visible and lead by example. As a leader, you have to believe in what you are doing, and teams will follow you. Set the standards, but you also have to engage with your teams on site and remain committed. It’s important to remain calm, stay the course, maintain your ethics and ethos.”

Echoing those leadership dynamics, Thompson also spoke about the importance of having an execution plan in place, long before the project begins, adding: “Your execution plan should come during the tendering. Design, procurement, logistics, health and safety. Your project progamme is an output of that strategy. You also need proactive supervision.”


All the panelists agreed that greater adoption of certain technology will not only improve project efficiency but will also help upskill workforces rather than taking jobs away from people.

Exhibitors showcase solutions supporting Saudi projects

Opening day saw local and international exhibitors showcase solutions tailored to Saudi Arabia’s evolving built environment. Al-Futtaim Contracting announced the launch of its Facilities Management and Fire & Life Safety operations in Saudi Arabia at Big 5 Construct Saudi, expanding its specialist capabilities and offering integrated services across the asset lifecycle.

Among other exhibitors, Hussein & AlHassan G. Shaker Bros. is displaying its HVAC and air-conditioning solutions, while MedGulf is presenting insurance and reinsurance services for the construction sector. Al Yamamah Steel, Baz Steel and Zamil Steel Holding highlight steel and related solutions supporting building and infrastructure projects, while Haier & Aljabr Saudi Electronics Trading focuses on building and HVAC-related technologies.

Suppliers including Grundfos Saudi Arabia and Wilo Saudi Arabia are presenting pumping and water-management technologies supporting building and infrastructure applications.

Commenting on the opening day, Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “As we kick off the first day of Big 5 Construct Saudi, the level of engagement across the exhibition floor reflects both the scale of opportunity in the Kingdom and the increasingly specific needs of its construction market. We have seen project owners, contractors, consultants, manufacturers and suppliers engaging in focused conversations around procurement, project delivery, technical requirements and supply chains. The strength of these interactions is a clear indication of the value the industry places on bringing the right people and expertise together, and we look forward to seeing these connections translate into new partnerships, business opportunities and collaborations over the coming days.”

Big 5 Construct Saudi to Deepen Industry Connection

With Big 5 Construct Saudi continuing until 2 September, the next three days will feature in-depth technical discussions, product showcases and opportunities for industry professionals to connect with suppliers, project stakeholders and experts from across the ecosystem.

Big 5 Construct Saudi is free to attend for industry professionals aged 18 and over. For more information and to register, please visit www.big5constructsaudi.com

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