Saudi Arabia’s construction industry is rapidly evolving, fueled by technological advancements, strategies in large-scale projects, policy reforms and sustainability. Returning once again to Big 5 Construct Saudi, the International Contracting Conference, organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority and dmg events and taking place on Feb. 15-16, hosted government officials, industry leaders and policymakers to share insights into navigating the Kingdom’s construction landscape and exploring new opportunities.
ICC 2025 united top contractors and international contracting experts in the Kingdom for two days of insightful dialogues and discussions focusing on topics such as the impact of Vision 2030, innovative construction methods, digital tools for project management and government-private sector collaboration. Held at the ICC Theatre, Hall 6, Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, the event spotlighted transformative developments and opportunities, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Prominent industry leaders who headlined the conference this year included: Khalid Al-Othman, president of the National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy, Federation of Saudi Chambers; Dr. Anas Bataw, strategy and innovation director, KEO International Consultants; Prakash Senghani, CEO and co-founder, Navatech; James Irvine, managing director, Alvarez and Marshal; Alaa Arabi, principal, TBH; Alexander Sarac, partner at Addleshaw Goddard; Ayman Alwaleedi, executive director — project management at Rua Al-Madinah; Mark Sperring, regional PMC director; and Wael Allan, chief executive at Ayar International Contracting Company.

Complementing ICC, Big 5 Construct Saudi is also hosting Big 5 Talks, featuring more than 75 expert-led sessions designed to empower professionals with actionable strategies and progressive insights over two weeks. Featuring over 150 speakers, subject-matter experts and leaders, these sessions cover various topics impacting the Kingdom’s built environment, enabling attendees to have fresh ideas, practical solutions and professional growth.
The first week (Feb. 15-18) will lay strong foundations for the construction industry, covering key topics from design to execution. Discussions will explore advancements in HVAC R, modular construction, project management, health and safety and regulatory compliance.
In the second week (Feb. 24–27), the focus will shift to transforming projects from fit-out to services, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions and operational excellence. The Architect Leaders Forum will bring together industry visionaries to discuss trends shaping architectural design, while sessions on facilities management and green buildings will highlight the best practices for maintaining sustainable structures.
With more than 5,200 construction projects currently underway, including NEOM, The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, Diriyah and others, valued at an estimated $819 billion, the Kingdom’s development initiatives showcase the immense scale and ambition of its transformation.
“As Saudi Arabia sprints toward Vision 2030, organizations and individuals must evolve to help facilitate these ambitions,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president of construction at dmg events. “The panel discussions and sessions at Big 5 Construct Saudi are therefore strategically curated to address the industry challenges and provide innovative ideas and solutions to meet the Kingdom’s goals for its dynamic contracting sector.”