The Big 5, the largest building and construction show in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, has been postponed to September 2021 owing to the prevailing coronavirus, Trade Arabia reported on Tuesday. It will be held from September 12 to 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre instead of the previously announced November 23-26 slot. These new dates also apply to the specialised events that are held alongside The Big 5 – The Big 5 Heavy, Middle East Concrete, HVAC R Expo, Middle East Stone, The Big 5 Solar, and the Urban Design and Landscape Expo, said the organisers dmg events. The decision was taken after a thorough consultation with key stakeholders groups in the wake of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. The next edition of Big 5 is expected to boost the construction sector's recovery efforts in the post-Covid-19 era. It will launch the Digital Festival of Construction in November to assist the industry and sustain the sector's resilience through the current challenging times, said the organisers. With Dubai moving the 2020 World Expo to October 2021, the next edition will come at a time in which Dubai is expected to enter an exciting new growth phase as it prepares to present an amazing showcase and a 21st-century city to the world, they added. The new dates are the closest possible enabling the global construction industry to come together for a successful trade event, and take into consideration a wide set of factors, most importantly: the health, safety and convenience of all participants, the ease of travel, as well as the global events calendar for the industry. Ben Greenish, the Senior VP at dmg events, said: “It was not an easy decision to take, but we believe it is the best for the construction players we proudly connect and have served since 1979.” “Over the past weeks, we made it our priority to listen to our exhibitors, visitors, and other key stakeholders. We understand how crucial a successful trade event is for their businesses, and how challenging planning ahead can be in such uncertain times,” noted Greenish. “We have therefore decided to postpone this year's event to offer an edition of the scale and nature expected of The Big 5 in 2021, which will boost the construction sector's recovery efforts in the post-Covid-19 era,” he added. According to dmg events, the early announcement of new dates will enable industry players to plan ahead and join an event that will bring benefit to the whole construction value chain. The new dateline will also be a significant distance away from the current restrictions and will allow both exhibitors and visitors to re-engage with old and new customers in a pleasant and highly productive environment, it stated. Meanwhile, The Big 5 will continue pursuing its mission to connect and empower construction players across the globe, remarked Greenish. “It will do so in innovative ways, including the launch of a new Digital Festival of Construction taking place in November with the aim to assist the industry and boost the sector's resilience through the current challenging times,” he added.
