The Big 5 Digital Festival, the leading online event for the global construction community, officially launched today. Running until November 26, the event gathers thousands of industry professionals from around the world, including representatives from over 500 construction brands, and more than 130 expert speakers from 23 countries.

Opening the digital event of The Big 5, Josine Heijmans, Vice President - Construction at dmg events, said:

"It goes without saying that we would have loved to meet you face to face at the Dubai World Trade Centre, just as we did for the past 40 years. But the pandemic has shaped unprecedented changes - some temporary, some irreversible - in our lives, markets, and business models.

"Today, construction players are tasked to navigate through an unprecedented situation, leverage an impending disruption, and get ready for the next normal. Not an easy task. But, representing 13% of the global GDP, the construction and infrastructure industry will be of essence for the positive recovery of the world economy at large.

"This is why at dmg events we thought it was important to develop this special edition of The Big 5, to gather you all, industry leaders, experts, decision-makers, innovators, and take a moment to reflect, share what we’ve all learned during these past exceptional months, and restart business with a clear vision, new connections, and innovative ideas.

"Our Redefining Construction programme is designed exactly for that: to provide strategic insights, analysis, global case studies and inspiration from over 130 experts from across the globe. For the next four days, you will be able to access premium content exploring market outlooks, project management, smart & digital, sustainability, architecture & design, and facilities management strategies across simultaneous sessions.

We also wanted to make sure the industry could reconnect despite travel restrictions, lockdowns, and physical distancing. We are therefore extremely proud to be hosting over 500 global brands on this platform, enabling suppliers to connect again with old and new clients, boost partnerships and business opportunities, and present innovative products and solutions for tomorrow’s construction and infrastructure projects.

"We know that the crisis is not fully over yet. But as the world prepares for the next normal, so does construction here today."