The Big 5 Saudi, the largest and fastest growing construction show in the kingdom, will be offering a record 48 free-to-attend CPD (Continuous Professional Development)-certified workshops this year, said the event organisers.

Starting from March 27 to 30 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, Saudi construction professionals will have the opportunity to network, develop their skills and knowledge, and stay up to date with the latest technologies and industry best practices shared by regional experts.

This year, the education agenda of the largest and fastest growing construction show in the country will focus on some of the industry’s most compelling topics: Project Management, Innovation & Technology, and Sustainability, said the organisers.

Saudi Arabia’s vested interest to diversify its economy as part of the Vision 2030, along with its commitment to becoming one of the region’s premier tourist destinations, fuels the need to further enhance the prowess of its industry professionals.

According to the organisers, the Big 5 Saudi 2017 will address this need by bringing to Jeddah a leading edge educational offer, which has been one of the key drivers for the show’s repeated success year after year.

At the start of every project or concept, applying effective project management skills is paramount in ensuring positive results. As one of the lead topics at The Big 5 Saudi 2017, industry leaders will be sharing cutting-edge insights into project management best practices and approaches across the three days of the show.

Frank Wiesse, the director at Drees & Sommer Consulting Engineering in Saudi Arabia, will open the Project Management agenda on March 27 with a presentation on “Efficiency Improvements in Construction Projects”, while “The art of delivering before time and within budget” will be the focus of the presentation by Nagib-Guy El-Alam, vice-president of construction at Satco, on the following day.

The list of prominent project management speakers at The Big 5 Saudi this year includes Tarik Al Hraki, business and project management consultant and trainer; Wael Khalil, project management officer and training consultant at Counselors Consultancy House Company; Joseph MJ, vice president planning and cost control at Meydan - Sobha Construction; and Jamil Hassan Ghaznawi, JLL national director and country head in Saudi Arabia.

"A cornerstone of The Big 5 brand, our CPD workshops are a unique platform for the build and construction community to gather, learn and develop their skills," remarked Nathan Waugh, dmg events’ portfolio event director.

With new technology for the construction industry progressively getting better each day, there is a heavy value placed on staying up to date on the latest trends that can streamline efficiency, he stated.

Founder and chief executive of Value Innovation Management Consultancy, Mohammed Bin Saleh said: "Developing your business along technology trends is essential to not disappearing within the market. Knowledge is power as it helps to work smarter, not harder."

As the construction industry sees a shift in different solutions for its varying needs, one that has emerged with much promise is 3D printing.

Having numerous applications in any stage of construction, 3D printing identifies the amount of material required with a high level of accuracy, helping reduce both completion time and waste.

Saleh, who will be speaking at The Big 5 Saudi 2017 on March 28 on Innovation & Technology within the Construction Industry­ and 3D applications present and future, said: "I see 3D design and modelling spreading across several sectors, planning stages, material estimation, and virtual tours, and giving way to better visualisation."

As technology progresses, so does the need for a more sustainable future in the industry, he noted.

At The Big 5 Saudi this year, engineers, architects, and project managers will be able to advance their knowledge in all things surrounding effective sustainable methods within the construction industry.

Since its inception in 2011, The Big 5 Saudi has been a long-running leader in the construction industry and globally recognised as the premier B2B tradeshow in the kingdom, said the organisers.

The seventh edition of the event will be a must-attend platform for all construction industry professionals to do business, network, and source thousands of innovative products and solutions for the built environment, they added.-TradeArabia News Service