Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel
21 October | Workshops & Meetings
22 October | Main Conference & Meetings
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel
21 October | Workshops & Meetings
22 October | Main Conference & Meetings
| Wednesday, 22 October 2025 | ||
| Conference Hall A | ||
| 9.00 | Arrival and networking |
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| Keynotes | ||
| 10.00 | Welcome by SCA Abdulmajid AlRashoudi, Governor, Saudi Contractor Authority |
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| 10.10 | Panel: How PIF companies are leveraging ConTech to accelerate giga projects As Saudi Arabia embarks on one of the world’s most ambitious urban development programs, the PIF DevCos are pioneering a tech-first approach to overcome the complexities of building at unprecedented scale and speed. Automation of quality control and snagging, reality site capture, schedule optimisation and design reviews are delivering measurable gains in accuracy, risk mitigation and delivery confidence. This is also a call to the global ConTech ecosystem: the Kingdom’s giga-projects need scalable, interoperable, and production-ready solutions. The need for innovation is real—and the market is open. Led by: PIF In conversation with: Lee Hallman, Chief Development Officer, AlUla Development Company Jayesh Maganlal, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer, ROSHN Group |
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| 10.40 | Reserved |
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| 10.50 | Panel: Net Zero 2060: How is Saudi Arabia’s construction and real estate sector responding to the carbon challenge? In alignment with Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s pledge to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2060, the Kingdom’s real estate and construction sectors are undergoing a critical transformation. This session will explore how the industry is responding to this bold commitment including spotlights on innovative materials & manufacturers, digital delivery and carbon conscious design, looking to global leaders and Saudi Arabia’s strategic pathway to decarbonising the built environment. Led by: Dr. Mohammed Al-Surf, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Tilad Sustainability Co. In conversation with: Dr. Fahad Al-Sherehy, Vice President Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management, SABIC Karim El-Jisr, Executive Director, Red Sea Global Mazen AlJuaid, VP Assets Construction Delivery, The Royal Commission for AlUla |
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| 11.20 | Reserved |
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| 11.30 | Presentation: Streamlining standards: How Expro’s rationalisation of construction norms will accelerate Saudi Arabia’s project delivery Saudi Arabia’s construction landscape is entering a new era of consistency, quality, and scalability, with the need for clear, unified and modernised construction standards. Expro—Saudi Arabia’s national real estate development enabler—will unveil how it is rationalising 13 construction standards into a cohesive framework. This bold initiative is aimed at eliminating inefficiencies, improving design compatibility, reducing costs, and accelerating timelines across thousands of national housing and infrastructure projects. |
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| 11.45 | Networking break |
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| 12.15 | Panel: Unlocking the potential of modular construction from niche to national scale Where giga-projects, rapid urbanisation and mega-event deadlines are driving unprecedented construction volume, modular building offers a powerful solution to overcome labor, logistics and time constraints. It has proven its value globally in delivering speed, efficiency and waste reduction, but to realise full potential beyond data centers and supporting infrastructure in the Kingdom, a broader mind shift is required. This session explores what must happen to accelerate the adoption of modular construction at scale—from regulatory alignment and industry readiness to standards, cost acceptance and end-user perception. Led by: In conversation with: Dr. Hassan Alassafi, Construction and Engineering General Manager, National Housing Company Hussam Ali, Director of MMC, ROSHN Mansour Faried, Chief Engineer, CSCEC Middle East |
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| 12.45 | Reserved |
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| 12.55 | Quick case study: DfMA in action: Why design can't chase construction In a world racing to build faster, smarter, and more sustainably, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) is emerging as a cornerstone of modern construction. But with this promise comes a critical shift in mindset: construction and design can no longer happen in parallel. This session presents a case study of a recent DfMA-driven project where success hinged on one non-negotiable principle—early design finalisation. Learn how the team navigated the cultural, technical, and contractual shifts needed to lock down information early and avoid the cost and chaos of late-stage changes. |
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| 13.05 | Panel: Designing with purpose: What to embed early in BIM for end-to-end efficiency In Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving construction landscape – efficiency, sustainability, and digital delivery are no longer optional. This session explores key data and design considerations that must be embedded into Building Information Modeling (BIM) from the earliest stages to optimise the entire lifecycle of built assets. BIM done right starts early. Embedding the right data and design thinking from concept phase ensures a smarter, more constructible, and maintainable built environment—delivering on Vision 2030’s promise through digital precision. Led by: In conversation with: Youssry Salman, Digital Construction Director, Binladin Group |
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| 13.35 | Panel: Closing the Capex | Opex data gap for digital asset management – the next vital frontier for mega projects Globally there is still a clear disconnect between data created during construction and data required for smart and green operations, with asset operators often starting from scratch or undergoing huge data reorganisation between phases and projects. The ability to harness data streams created from concept to delivery and ensure consistent operations is the next frontier for major projects but still faces major challenges. Hear how these organisations are attempting to close the gap by collecting data in the construction phase that can be used for operational benefit. Led by: In conversation with: Abdurrahman Arruhaily, Deputy EPMO Director, Madinah Region Municipality John Seed, Group Director, Strategy & Development, Dar Al Riyadh Consulting |
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| 14.05 | Fireside talk: A mind of their own: Moving towards intelligent & autonomous digital twins Static models are no longer enough for Saudi Arabia’s giga-scale ambitions. The scale, complexity, and performance expectations of the Kingdom’s projects demand more than monitoring tools — they require systems that think, learn, and adapt. This session explores the critical shift toward AI-enabled digital twins: dynamic, self-improving systems that go beyond visualisation to become operational brains behind modern infrastructure. In conversation with: Mohyeddine Al-Khatib, Manager, Khatib & Alami Wassim Ghadban, Senior Vice President, Digital & AI, Kent |
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| 14.25 | Networking lunch |
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| 15.25 | Fireside talk: Breaking silos: Supercharging ERPs for total project delivery As the construction and development sector accelerates its digital transformation, the next big challenge isn’t just implementing digital tools—it’s integrating them. From estimation to project controls and document workflow, many critical operational functions are nonnative to traditional ERP ecosystems, leading to inefficiencies, silos, and missed opportunities. Discover how forward-thinking organisations are redefining what an ERP can do by seamlessly integrating the full spectrum of project delivery functions weaving them into a unified, industry-modern ERP platform. Led by: Shadi Al-Ghanim, Chief Technology Officer, Al Ayuni Investment and Contracting Co. In conversation with: Amin Aljaber, CIO, Nesma& Partners Fady Sleiman, CIO, Al Bawani Jeff Weiss, Chief Revenue Officer, CMiC Reda Bin Abdoun, Information Technology Director, Ajdan Real Estate Development |
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| 15.55 | Reserved |
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| 16.05 | Panel: Generative AI beyond chat bots As AI becomes more structured and intuitive, most major companies are embedding dedicated frameworks and strategies to explore how Generative AI can benefit their business and leverage existing data for the best use-cases. But minimal applications beyond chat bots exist in the market and integration with existing ecosystems still poses a challenge. With the Kingdom investing heavily in Gen AI, this session explores the state of Gen AI applications and the associated integration and data challenges. Led by: In conversation with: Ismail Azam, Head of Construction Technology and Applications, NEOM Naser AlAbeedi, Digital Transformation Director, Rua Al Madinah |
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Case studies: AI beyond chat bots |
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| 16.35 | Predictive AI for operational efficiency in mixed-use buildings Wissam Hijazi, VP Innovation & Smart Building Solutions - MENA, EllisDon |
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| 16.45 | Generative AI in Portfolio Risk & Dispute Management Vladimir Milovanović, CEO & Co-Founder, Lupa Technology |
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| 16.55 | Success | failure story: AI in reality site capture |
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| 17.05 | Success | failure story: AI in progress control |
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| 17.10 | Close |
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| Day 1: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | ||
| Track 2 | ||
| Conference Hall B | ||
| 12.25 | Panel: Avoiding industry dark data (a sustainability and efficiency threat) – ensuring quality data management throughout the life cycle The construction and real estate sector are the most data generating industries in the world. Through sensors, IoTs, drones and 3D scanning millions of terrabytes are flooding the industry but with limited purpose and benefit. In this data driven age, the industry will need to be vigilant about burning energy on AI and data centres without the right business case. How can the industry ensure that it is collecting the correct data and segregating it for decision making - ensuring quality data management throughout the life cycle? Led by: Rob Jones, Partner, b2b Connect In conversation with: Amjad Abou Said, Head of Business Development, Dubai Asset Management Arjun Mohan, Founder & CEO, TENDERD Ismail Azam, Director of Construction Technology and Applications, NEOM Theofanis Fanourakis, Digital Design & Delivery Director, Diriyah Company |
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| 12.55 | Panel: Powering data centre efficiency in the GCC Regulations in the UAE and KSA mandate that certain data, such as personal or financial information, must be hosted within the country, leading to increasing reliance on local data centres. Given that data centres are increasingly essential, to become more energy efficient they require specialised architectural and engineering design to contribute to tough ESG expectations. This panel will delve into the challenges and opportunities of developing robust and sustainable data centres in the region, focusing on regulatory compliance, energy, water and cooling efficiency, and the cutting-edge construction technologies required. Led by: Hassan Shuweihdi, Associate Director, Turner & Townsend In conversation with: Mohannad AlOmari, Business Development Manager, Group AMANA Ramachandra Nimbargi, Head – Data Centre (Design), International, Larsen & Toubro Samir Abdullah, Director of Smart Cities, KEO International Consultants Sanjay Kumar, Director‑Design Data Centers, EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC |
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| 13.25 | Panel: Securing data in the digital built environment As cloud-based and decentralised data usage rises within the extended construction supply chain, cybersecurity is becoming ever more critical. Companies must protect valuable data but in an industry known for thin margins, it must also meet ROI expectations. This discussion will explore evolving threat landscapes as data becomes more decentralised, best practices to minimise local and third-party risks, emerging technologies, regulatory compliance, and data protection laws. Led by: Phillip Higgins, Director, Ventures Middle East In conversation with: Ahmed Gadelhak, Senior IT Director, Saudi Binladin Group Dr. Hussain Aldawood, Cybersecurity Innovation Director, NEOM, Member of the Global Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum Mike Soldan, VP of Global Services, Egnyte Shadi Al-Ghanim, Chief Technology Officer, Al Ayuni Investment and Contracting Company |
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| 13.55 | Networking lunch |
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Success | failure stories: Extending BIM usage (but we prefer information management) to its full potential Extremely few organisations are utilising BIM to its full potential to drive value in workflows. With a distinct lack of use-cases integrating BIM to site or into operations and maintenance, this series of stories tackle the current gaps in implementation as well as provide examples of who has successfully integrated such workflows on the ground for construction monitoring, supervision and O&M. |
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| 15.00 | Success | failure story: Turning physical asset management into digital asset management: BIM in operational efficiency (occupancy | utilisation rates) and maintenance Tarika Jain, Co-Founder and Head of Business, nCircle Tech |
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| 15.10 | Success | failure story: Extending BIM use to site | field operations for increased productivity Cristina Sánchez, BIM Manager, Lendlease Europe |
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| 15.20 | Success | failure story: How developers use BIM Amarnath Patnam, Vice President - Design Technology, Sobha Realty |
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| 15.30 | Success | failure story: Dubai municipality open BIM mandate: lessons learned and future vision Eng. Hadeel Fadda, Principal Architectural Design Engineer, Permits Department, Dubai Municipality |
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| 15.40 | Fireside Chat: What clients need to know about ISO 19650 as a driver for operational success Led by: Casey Rutland, Associate Director & Head of (B)IM - Property & Buildings, WSP In conversation with: Khalid Elsharnoby, BIM Manager, Kanadevia-inova Mohamed Raafat, BIM Expert, Government Confidential |
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| 16.05 | Panel: ‘BIM’ is banned! Let’s talk what matters - intrinsic information management (ISO 19650) As competency increases, so does the wider realisation that digital delivery is underpinned and driven by robust information management processes that impact the organisation, project lifecycle and supply chain. With technological, process and procurement related aspects, understanding the right ISO 19650 principles and how to implement them is the key to transformation. The rest of it is ‘bolt on’. Led by: Dr. Ali Ismail, BIM Expert, Dubai Municipality In conversation with: Andy Boutle, Head of Digital Construction, ALEC Jason North, Group BIM Lead, Robert Bird Group Mahmoud Adly, Digital Engineering Director, Abu Dhabi City Municipality Mina Nessim, Head of Engineering & BIM, Binladin Contracting Group |
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| 16.45 | Close of day 1 | Track 2 |
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| Day 2: Thursday, 01 May, 2025 | ||
| Conference Hall A | ||
| 08.00 | Registration and networking |
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| Track 1 | Conference Hall A | ||
| 10.00 | Opening Rob Jones, Partner, b2b Connect |
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| 10.05 | Keynote panel: Creating the Blueprint to meet 2030 UAE emissions targets The UAE aims to achieve an ambitious 85% reduction in construction-related emissions by 2030. The initiative, known as UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint, unites key local and international organisations to collaborate on enhancing working practices and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Advancements in construction technology and the use of sustainable materials are critical to achieving these improved efficiencies. This session brings together key members of the working group as they outline the measures being implemented to meet the rapidly approaching target deadline. Led by: Naveen Raza, Net Zero Transition & Partnerships, HSBC In conversation with: Abdullatif AlBitawi, CEO, Emirates Green Building Council Alida Saleh, Head of Sustainability, JLL | Senior Advisor, Climate Champions Built Environment Team Dr. Jagannathan Ramaswamy, Senior General Manager Sustainability & Climate Action, Sobha Realty Nazly Asadollahpour, VP Sustainability, Majid Al Futtaim Holding |
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| 10.45 | Future state of construction report: A data-driven look at the next decade of construction As the construction industry stands at the edge of unprecedented opportunity, emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, robotics, augmented reality are no longer just possibilities-they are the catalysts for a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future. And it’s never been more important to stay competitive by knowing what’s coming in the future. Please join Procore to take a dive into what the next 2, 5 and 10 years of construction will hold, based on today’s data and trends. Andrew Rampton, Industry Transformation Leader, Procore |
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| 10.55 | A quantum leap in construction | development Quantum computing is one of the most promising, yet least understood advancements on the horizon. It has the potential to radically impact the sector, solving complex problems at unprecedented speeds, revolutionising everything from project management to material science, unlocking efficiencies and innovations that are currently unimaginable. While still in its infancy, could the emergence of some early quantum engines reshape the industry sooner than expected? Sam Kumar, Principal of Studio Operations, U+A |
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| 11.05 | AI beyond chat bots part 1 As AI becomes more structured and intuitive, most major companies are embedding dedicated frameworks and strategies to explore how AI can benefit their business and leverage existing data for the best use-cases. But minimal applications beyond chat bots exist in the market. This session explores the state of tangible AI uses out there and debates if AI will significantly change the way the industry works OR if it will just make certain jobs easier. Led by: Tim Shelton, Operations Director Technology & Advisory, Omnium International | Advisory Board Member, RICS UAE In conversation with: Abdurrahman Arruhaily, Deputy EPMO Director, Madinah Region Municipality Bandar Alshahrani, Executive Director of Digital and Technology, Rua Almadinah Holding Company Mohamad Kassir, Global BIM & GIS Manager, Egis Tony Pagliocco, Senior Vice President Product Management, Aldar Properties |
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| 11.50 | Morning networking break |
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| Track 1 | ||
| Track 1 | Conference Hall A | ||
AI beyond chat bots part 2 As AI becomes more structured and intuitive, most major companies are embedding dedicated frameworks and strategies to explore how AI can benefit their business and leverage existing data for the best use-cases. But minimal applications beyond chat bots exist in the market. This session explores the state of tangible AI uses out there and debates if AI will significantly change the way the industry works OR if it will just make certain jobs easier. |
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| 12.15 | Success | failure story: AI in Portfolio Risk Management Vladimir Milovanović, CEO, Lupa Technology |
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| 12.25 | Success | failure story: AI in site HSSE Ashraf Elgabry, BIM Director, Trojan General Contracting |
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| 12.35 | Success | failure story: AI in design: Bidding visualisation and model automation for time and cost optimisation Chris Smeaton, Global Digital Design Director, HBA |
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| 12.45 | Success | failure story: AI in action: Transforming construction claims and disputes management Rohit Singhal, CEO, MASIN |
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| 12.55 | Success | failure story: Transforming construction progress control through AI Chiara Simonetti, Director Project Governance Technical PMO, Red Sea Global |
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| 13.05 | Success | failure story: AI in site safety, efficiency and predictive maintenance Ramy Abdelwahab, IT Director, NMDC Group |
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| 13.15 | Success | failure story: AI and AR in enhanced BIM workflows & scheduling Kendall Wilson, Senior Manager Digital Twin, Modon Real Estate |
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| 13.25 | Close of day 2 | Track 1 |
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| 14.00 | Awards networking reception | Construction Technology Awards |
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| 15.00 | Awards ceremony | Construction Technology Awards |
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| Day 2: Thursday, 01 May, 2025 | ||
| Track 2 | ||
| Track 2 | Hall B | ||
| 10.00 | Opening |
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| 10.05 | Panel: Closing the Capex | Opex data gap – the next vital frontier for mega projects Globally there is still a clear disconnect between data created during construction and data required for operation, with asset owners often starting from scratch or undergoing huge data reorganisation between phases and projects. The ability to harness data created from concept to delivery and ensure consistent operations, from sales lead management to property management is the vital next frontier for major projects and needs to be defined early. Hear how these organisations are attempting to close the gap through BIM, AI models and integrated platform plays and who will be responsible for maintaining the data throughout the asset lifecycle. Led by: Cristina Savian, CEO and Founder, BE-WISE In conversation with: Amr El Etreby, Managing Director of Project Management and Cost Consultancy, Land Sterling Anastasios Dimas, Regional Technology Director ME, AtkinsRéalis Claire Huhes Munro, Chair, UAE Regional Advisory Board, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Dana Al Mahmoud Nahas, Corporate Technical Director, Trojan Construction Group Garry Murray, Community Management Expert |
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Success stories: Operational digital twins only! Tangible examples & results Tired of theoretical digital twin frameworks? We searched the globe to shed light on tangible digital twins in practice from representing design data for better stakeholder engagement & marketing, to feeding in site data for progress monitoring and reducing carbon/cost in project handover and building operations. |
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| 10.50 | Success story: Construction monitoring, cycle time and carbon reduction Roger Wahl, Chief Technology Officer, Innovo |
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| 11.05 | Success story: From static models to living twins: keeping your digital twin alive and aligned Wissam Hijazi, VP Innovation - MENA, EllisDon |
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| 11.20 | Success story: Seamless integration in sales to asset management Sunder Jagannathan, Co-founder | CEO, PropVR |
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| 11.35 | Success story: Driving efficiency from BIM to boardroom: Scaling intelligence across urban infrastructure Zubran Solaiman, Director, Industry Strategy Cities, Bentley Systems |
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| 11.50 | Morning networking break |
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| 12.15 | Panel: Digital twin strategies 2025 As the digital twin concept gains maturity, many tier 1 projects in the region are executing a digital twin strategy. This session reviews the latest digital twin strategy developments and use-case scenarios in mega projects from construction to operations and customer experience. Led by: Wissam Hijazi, VP Innovation - MENA, EllisDon In conversation with: Andrew Bevan, Technical Director - Head of Digital Solutions EMEA, Parsons Corporation Aqeel Bafadel, VP - Smart City & Innovation, KAFD Asim Rehmani, Manager- Business Transformation, DHRE, Dubai Holding Real Estate Jatin Lad, Lead - Smart Cities & Digital Twin, Ardara - PIF Kendall Wilson, Senior Manager, Digital Twin, Modon Real Estate |
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| 13.00 | Panel: Revolutionising urban living through true smart cities As the built environment undergoes rapid digitalisation, we are edging closer to realising true smart communities and cities. The region's giga- and mega-cities will be reliant on the information that smart systems through monitoring will provide, creating safe, secure, and sustainable urban environments. This session explores the pivotal role of technology in enhancing urban living through connected services that integrate building management, city operations, transport and mobility, energy, water and waste management, public safety, cybersecurity, and digital citizen services. Led by: Mohamed Misbah, Director, Digital Services, Middle East & Africa, Khatib & Alami In conversation with: Marwan Abu Ebeid, Digital Construction Lead, Turner Construction – International Mohammed Shah, Smart City Director, Knowledge Economic City Sebastien Miller, Manager of Public Realm, Masdar City |
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| 13.30 | Close of day 2 | Track 2 |
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| 14.00 | Awards networking reception | Construction Technology Awards |
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| 15.00 | Awards ceremony | Construction Technology Awards |
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