The Big 5 PMV, the Middle East’s leading event for plant, construction machinery and vehicles, is moving to a new world-class home in Dubai, said its organisers.

Streamline Marketing Group and dmg world media on Tuesday announced that the third edition of the event, taking place from November 23-26 will be staged in the new state-of-the-art exhibition halls currently nearing completion at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The switch from an adjacent outdoor temporary structure is made possible by the fact that the new halls, due for completion in September, are being built to a superior technical specification.

This will allow, for the first time, the huge construction machinery that Big 5 PMV hosts, to be displayed in the main body of the exhibition centre. The new halls boast 25,000 sq m gross space and ceiling heights ranging from 10m – 14m.

“These are tough times for the construction industry as a whole, so we are doing everything we can to provide the best facilities and business environment for exhibitors,” said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group.

“The new exhibition halls feature world class facilities, and with significantly higher ceilings and increased weight loading capabilities they’re the perfect venue to host heavy construction equipment.”

“We are also putting considerable emphasis on our key buyers programme, identifying those construction companies in the region who will be purchasing equipment and will utilise the show in November for their procurement needs,' he noted.

'The combination of targeted marketing and a key location will cement Big 5 PMV’s success in a difficult year,' Webb added.

The new halls integrate with the existing exhibition building, bringing the entire Big 5 event under one roof and creating fast and easy access to all parts of the exhibition for trade visitors, more than 58,000 of whom attended last year.

'More good news for visitors this year is that they will be able to travel to the exhibition via the Dubai Metro whose red line, running for 52.1 km between Rashidiya and Jebel Ali, opens in September.'

'The Dubai World Trade Centre metro station is immediately adjacent to the new halls and with a 634 people per train capacity and widely applauded cost of travel, will significantly improve access to the venue.

Peter Sutton, vice president – Venues at Dubai World Trade Centre, the parent company of DICEC, said: “The expansion of DICEC underlines our commitment to making Dubai an essential hub for major international events. The ability to physically bring together the Big 5 with its plant, machinery and vehicles section is a huge strategic leap forward and will benefit visitors and exhibitors alike.”

Simon Mellor, vice president, Construction at dmg world media, organisers of the Big 5, said: 'While construction activity has slowed, Dubai remains the business gateway to the Middle East.'

'All of the elements have come together - a new, world-class venue, Big 5 and Big 5 PMV under the same roof and an improved understanding of what the market requires. We’re confident of delivering an exceptional event and a good return on investment for exhibitors in difficult times,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service