CTF KSA
Agenda 2025
| Day 1: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | ||
| Conference hall C | ||
| 08.00 | Registration and networking |
|
| The Keynotes | Hall C | ||
| 10.00 | Opening James Dearsley, Chief Executive Officer, Verv |
|
| 10.05 | The future of real estate: Emerging PropTech and investment trends The real estate sector is at a turning point, driven by cutting-edge innovations, sustainable development, and evolving investment models. Explore the key trends and how venture capital is shaping the future from AI-driven property transactions to fractional ownership and the role of blockchain in real estate investments. James Dearsley, Chief Executive Officer, Verv |
|
| 10.15 | Interview: Real Estate in the age of automation: What’s next for developers? Imran Farooq, Chief Executive Officer, SAMANA Developers |
|
| 10.25 | Keynote Panel: Smart, healthy and well-designed: Adding wellness value in communities for competitive edge The growing emphasis on health and well-being in real estate has accelerated the adoption of solutions that enhance physical and mental well-being across the commercial sector and until now to a much lesser extent, the residential sector. This session will explore how technology ranging from AI-driven air/water quality monitoring to optimal lighting, biophilic design integrations and smart noise reductions are redefining the future of healthy living environments now and who is willing to pay for it. Led by: Tekha Selim, Executive Vice President & Head of MENA Region, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in conversation with: Can Buyukcelen, Executive Director of Design & Construction, MERED Firas Hnoosh, Managing Director, Nordic Office Architects Kifah Sbeitan, Executive Director Hand Over, Quality Assurance and Development Control, Dubai Holding Real Estate Mukul Sharma, Vice President of Sales, DAMAC Properties Tamer Youssef, Senior Vice President - Design, Aldar |
|
| 11.05 | Keynote panel: The sustainable lifestyle community: Rewarding residents for sustainable living As urban living evolves, the concept of smart lifestyle communities is gaining traction, offering residents a seamless experience where living, working, and schooling within the same neighbourhood is incentivized. Explore how PropTech innovations can create intelligent ecosystems that reward sustainable behaviours, enhance wellness, and drive environmental benefits. Led by: Tamara Bajic, Head of Advisory, AESG in conversation with: Achraf Ibrahim, Head of Development, The Sustainable City YITI – Oman Ana Hudson, Executive Director - Sustainability and Environment, King Salman Park Foundation Hamdan Al Kaitoob, VP - Head of Property & Community Management, Deyaar Developments Imran Farooq, Chief Executive Officer, SAMANA Developers |
|
| 11.45 | Morning networking break |
|
| Track 1 | ||
| Track 1 | Hall C | ||
| 12.10 | Elevating wellness in vertical living This session explores how Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, the world's tallest residential tower, integrates biophilic design, sustainability, and intelligent systems to redefine urban wellness. Discover how Select Group’s informed design decisions—from the Horizon Level retreat on the 109th floor to community-focused podiums—are setting new standards for high-rise luxury living. Laura Dianu, Head of Design, Select Group |
|
| 12.20 | Fireside chat: PropTech in the sustainable built environment This session will explore how PropTech and new approaches to work are shaping the sustainability of built environments from project developments and portfolio emission calculations to net-zero strategies and climate reporting at group level. Hear from the one of the region’s largest and the Only backward integrated developer – how they are tackling the sustainability challenges and shaping their climate journey. The session would discuss KEY issues and challenges that the built environment faces in aligning PropTech to achieve deep sustainability. Led by: Rob Jones, Partner, b2b Connect In conversation with: Dr. Fadi Alfaris, Chief Executive Officer, SEE Environment Holding Dr. Jagannathan P.Ramaswamy, Senior General Manager | Sustainability & Climate Action, Sobha Realty |
|
| 12.45 | Panel: Leveraging PropTech for carbon emission | sustainability reporting With anticipated mandates looming, forcing regional businesses in the built environment to start disclosing carbon-based reporting - the hard and software challenges are vast, even for digitally mature organisations. From siloed building management systems to the measurement of multiple physical assets, connecting the data into a centralised platform for reliable reporting is tough. These stories follow the journey in sustainability reporting across a variety of built assets. In conversation with: Junaid Abbdussalam, Director Operation Excellence, Emaar, the Economic City Ghaith Tibi, Middle East Sustainability & Climate Leader, Arup Haithem Ibraheem, Vice President - Operations, Brookfield Properties |
|
Success stories: PropTech powered decarbonization & energy management The global drive toward net-zero emissions has placed the real estate and construction sectors at the center of climate action. With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, PropTech innovations offer a transformative pathway to decarbonise built assets. This session will explore how technology ranging from AI-driven energy management systems to digital twins are revolutionising sustainability in real estate. |
||
| 13.10 | Story 1: Anas Gahshan, Director of FM & Sustainability, KAIZEN Asset Management Services |
|
| 13.20 | Story 2: Ziad Haddad, Senior Vice President – Facilities Management, LOAMS |
|
Success stories part 1: Smart asset management: Unlocking real-time operational efficiency & cost optimisation PropTech is revolutionising asset management, enabling real-time insights into the health and operational performance of buildings and infrastructure. Using the cloud, IoT, AI, drones and even 3D imaging, owner | operators are identifying failure trends and operational abnormalities enabling early detection and rectification and optimised efficiency, cost and energy management. |
||
| 13.30 | Story 1: Unlocking data driven condition assessments through AI enabled reality site capture Leigh Miles, Regional Director, Optima |
|
| 13.40 | Story 2: AI in real time operations efficiency & cost optimization Khaled Elshal, Senior Manager, Expo City Dubai |
|
| 13.50 | Networking lunch |
|
Success stories part 2: Smart asset management: Unlocking real-time operational efficiency & cost optimisation PropTech is revolutionising asset management, enabling real-time insights into the health and operational performance of buildings and infrastructure. Using the cloud, IoT, AI, drones and even 3D imaging, owner | operators are identifying failure trends and operational abnormalities enabling early detection and rectification and optimised efficiency, cost and energy management. |
||
| 15.00 | Story 3: Smart asset management Engin Togrulca, Head of Asset Management, RAFAL Real Estate Development |
|
| 15.10 | Story 4: Cutting edge CAFM in action: Maximising efficiency and cost optimisation in real time George Kouris, Commercial Manager, VORTEX Facilities and Maintenance Management Software, DANAOS Projects Software Solutions |
|
| 15.20 | Panel: The convergence of ConTech and PropTech for smart & sustainable operations The ConTech and PropTech sectors are evolving rapidly, but the gap between them leads to inefficiencies and unexpected operational costs in property and community management. This session explores the criticality of early decision making and how | when to start integrating smart | sustainable community requirements into the design phase to enhance the long-term value of real estate assets. Led by: Ghassan Talhouk, Chief Executive Officer, Socienta In conversation with: Babul Akhtar, Director - Community Management, Red Sea Global Mohammed Shehata, Senior Vice President of Asset Management, Expo City Nick Constantine, Director of Built Asset Consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall Patrick Rouse, Chief Development Officer, Deyaar Developments Rohan Chandavarkar, Head of Smart Buildings and Cities, AESG |
|
| 16.05 | Panel: AI beyond chatbots & sales agents 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 chatbots and sales agents 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 just makes certain jobs easier? Led by: Matt Myers, Program Lead for MA Real Estate Management and Finance, Heriot-Watt University Dubai In conversation with: Binoo Joseph, Group CTIO, Cenomi Group Fouad Bekkar, Chief Executive Officer, Coralytics AI Haneen Malhas, Vice President of Transformation & Automation, SAMANA Developers Rafik Amrani, Investment Associate - Venture Capital, Middle East Venture Partners Jennifer Andal, General Manager, Better Communities Owners' Association Management |
|
| 16.50 | Close of day 1 | Track 1 |
|
| Day 1: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | ||
| Track 2 | ||
| Track 2 | Hall B | ||
| 12.10 | 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? In conversation with: Amjad Abou Said, Head of Business Development, Dubai Asset Management Arjun Mohan, Founder & CEO, TENDERD |
|
| 12.45 | 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. In conversation with: Ramachandra Nimbargi, Head – Data Centre (Design), International, Larsen & Toubro Ras Scollay, Director, Data Center Business, du Samir Abdullah, Director of Smart Cities, KEO International Consultants Sanjay Kumar, Director‑Design Data Centers, EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC |
|
| 13.20 | Fireside chat: 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. In conversation with: Ahmed Gadelhak, Senior IT Director, Saudi Binladen Pavlina Nikolova, AEC Practice Lead, EMEA, Egnyte Shadi Al-Ghanim, Chief Technology Officer, Al Ayuni Investment and Contracting Company Zara Merali, Counsel, Freshfields LLP |
|
| 13.55 | Networking lunch |
|
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. |
||
| 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 |
|
| 15.15 | Success | failure story: Extending BIM use to site | field operations for increased productivity Cristina Sánchez, BIM Manager, Lendlease Europe |
|
| 15.30 | Success | failure story: How developers use BIM Amarnath Patnam, Vice President - Design Technology, Sobha Realty |
|
| 15.45 | Success | failure story: Post Dubai’s BIM mandate | Open BIM use (building smart) |
|
| 16.00 | 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’. 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 |
|
| 16.30 | Fireside Chat: What clients need to know about ISO 19650 as a driver for operational success Khalid Elsharnoby, BIM Manager, Kanadevia-inova Mohamed Raafat, BIM Expert, Government Confidential |
|
| 16.50 | Close of day 1 | Track 2 |
|
| Day 2: Thursday, 01 May, 2025 | ||
| Conference Hall A | ||
| 08.00 | Registration and networking |
|
| Track 1 | Hall C | ||
| 10.00 | Opening |
|
| 10.05 |
Reserved Aldar Tony Pagliocco, Senior Vice President Product Management, Aldar Properties |
|
| 10.20 | Panel: Seamless integration in sales & leasing: Digitising the end-to-end tenancy journey for enhanced operations and profitability This session explores journeys in digital sales and leasing and how it is streamlining operations and boosting profitability. From sales and marketing (selecting units, digital signatures, online payments and handovers) to property management interactions, using centralised platforms, stakeholders can monitor real-time data on key performance indicators (KPIs) like energy usage and occupancy rates all from a single dashboard. Delve into the benefits, challenges, and future potential of a fully digital sales and leasing ecosystem that’s setting the standard for the next generation of real estate. Led by: Fateh al Msaddi, Chief Operating Officer, fäm Properties In conversation with: Alaa Elayyan, Executive Director - IT, Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties Dana Awad, Executive Director- Customer and Communities, ICTReD Jenny Chammas, Head of Sales, Wasl Group Sunder Jagannathan, Co-Founder, PropVR Yazeed AlGhamdi, Director, Emerging Technologies, ROSHN Group |
|
| 11.05 | Panel: Transforming resident | tenant experience with the next generation of super app With customer experience apps transforming how individuals interact with their living and working environments, the next generation of super apps is emerging—built around enhanced community engagement, placemaking concepts, and quality of life improvements. Explore how customer centric experience platforms are reshaping property management, tenant satisfaction, and community living - creating seamless and enriching experiences. Led by: Samit Sheth, Director - Technology and Digital, JLL in conversation with: Afzal Lakdawala, Senior Director of Digital Transformation, A.R.M. Holding Azeem Aziz, Head of Digital Solutions, UDC Qatar Binoo Joseph, Group CTIO, Cenomi Group Luay Houri, Chief Technology Officer, Ajman Properties Corporation |
|
| 11.45 | Morning networking break |
|
| Track 1 | ||
| Track 1 | Hall C | ||
| 12.15 | Closing fire-side chat: Anis Sajan, Group Vice Chairman, Danube Group |
|
| 12.30 | Panel: Evolution in digital payments Digital payment solutions are transforming how tenants and property owners manage transactions. This session explores cutting-edge innovations in digital payments, the role of blockchain, AI-driven financial solutions, and regulatory advancements shaping the landscape in the UAE and beyond. Industry leaders will discuss the benefits of seamless transactions, enhanced security, and improved financial management for real estate stakeholders. In conversation with: Amira Soliman, Founder & CEO, Time Guardian | Athar Anisha Sagar, Director of Property Management, Allsopp and Allsopp Nabil Ismail, Executive Director, Gulf Capital Walid Shihabi, Co-Founder & CSO, Keyper |
|
| 13.00 | Panel: Fractional ownership: Unlocking liquidity, transparency & security in the region’s real estate market Fractional real estate ownership is transforming property investment in Dubai and Saudi Arabia by increasing accessibility, enhancing liquidity, and leveraging blockchain for transparency and security. This session will explore the current landscape, regulatory considerations, and the future potential of fractional ownership as a progressive investment model for high value properties. in conversation with: Ashraf Qasem, Chief Hospitality Officer, Al Othaim Royal Othman Aldawamenah, Sales Management Professional, DEED Technology Limited Ricardo Brizido, Co-Founder & CPTO, STAKE Selim El Zein, VP - Head of Asset Management, Deyaar Development |
|
| 13.30 | Panel: Building a passport to transform data insights A building passport monitors and tracks data on buildings, creating a comprehensive life cycle repository of information. It will be a crucial tool in the future, forming part of the trifecta alongside digital twins and BIM. The passport captures critical details from conception through to operation, playing a significant role in future efforts to track and minimise a building’s environmental footprint. This panel explores whether industry stakeholders have the appetite to create standardised, robust building passports that provide meaningful insights, and avoid them becoming massive dumps of unused and irrelevant data. Led by: Dilip Karpoor, Client Director, RMA Advisory in conversation with: Alain Waha, Chief Technology Officer, Buro Happold Alexander Karabet, Founder and Managing Director, Mansions Owners Association Management Dr. Fawaz Alshehri, Senior Director of Architecture Department, Confidential Kell Jones, Acting Director, Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment, The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL |
|
| 14.00 | Close of day 2 | Track 1 |
|
| 14.05 | Awards networking reception | Construction Technology Awards |
|
| 15.00 | Awards ceremony | Construction Technology Awards |
|
| Day 2: Thursday, 01 May, 2025 | ||
| Track 2 | ||
| Track 2 | Hall B | ||
| 10.00 | Opening |
|
| 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 |
|
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. |
||
| 10.50 | Success story: Construction monitoring, cycle time and carbon reduction Roger Wahl, Chief Technology Officer, Innovo |
|
| 11.05 | Reserved Wissam Hijazi, VP Innovation - MENA, EllisDon |
|
| 11.20 | Success story: Seamless integration in sales to asset management Sunder Jagannathan, Co-founder | CEO, PropVR |
|
| 11.35 | Success story: City-scale digital twin case study Zubran Solaiman, Director, Industry Strategy Cities, Bentley Systems |
|
| 11.50 | Morning networking break |
|
| 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: Aqeel Bafadel, VP - Smart City & Innovation, KAFD Asim Rehmani, Manager- BIM & VDC, Dubai Holding Real Estate Kendall Wilson, Senior Manager, Digital Twin, Modon Real Estate |
|
| 12.50 | 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 Mohamed Ragheb, Chief Development Officer, Azizi Developments Mohammed Shah, Smart City Director, Knowledge Economic City Sebastien Miller, Manager of Public Realm, Masdar City |
|
| 13.30 | Close of day 2 | Track 2 |
|
| 14.00 | Awards networking reception | Construction Technology Awards |
|
| 15.00 | Awards ceremony | Construction Technology Awards |
|
