Construction Networking Event in UAE | Technology ConFex

JW Marriott Hotel Marina, Dubai

30 April - 01 May 2025

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, CEO, Verv

10.15

Interview: Real Estate in the age of automation: What’s next for developers?

Led by:

Mubarik Hussain, IT Director, Distinguished Real Estate

In conversation with:

Imran Farooq, CEO, 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

in conversation with:

Can Buyukcelen, Executive Director of Design & Construction, MERED

Firas Hnoosh, Managing Director, Nordic Office Architects

Hisham Jaber, Founder, The Healthy Home | IEQ Technologies

Kifah Sbeitan, Executive Director, Dubai Holding Real Estate

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

Ana Hudson, Environmental and Sustainability Executive Director – Confidential

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:

Ivano Iannelli, Senior Advisor to the CEO, Emirates Global Aluminium

In conversation with:

Dr. Fadi Alfaris, Chief Executive Officer, SEE Environment Holding

Dr. Jagannathan P.Ramaswamy, Senior General Manager | Sustainability & Climate Action, Sobha Realty

12.50

Panel: Leveraging PropTech for carbon emission reporting | decarbonization & energy management

The global push for net-zero emissions has put real estate and construction at the heart of climate action. With buildings responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, PropTech innovations offer a transformative path to decarbonisation. Yet, accurate, reliable carbon reporting remains a challenge, even for digitally mature organisations. This session explores how technology such as AI-driven energy management and digital twins are revolutionising sustainability, decarbonising real estate, and enhancing emissions reporting.

Led by:

Rob Jones, Partner, b2b Connect

In conversation with:

Anas Gahshan, Director of FM & Sustainability, KAIZEN Asset Management Services

Ghaith Tibi, Middle East Sustainability & Climate Leader, Arup

Junaid Abbdussalam, Director Operation Excellence, Emaar, the Economic City

Success stories: 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.

13.20

Story 1: Unlocking data driven condition assessments through AI enabled reality site capture

Leigh Miles, Regional Director, Optima

13.30

Story 2: AI in real time operations efficiency & cost optimization

Khaled Elshal, Senior Manager, Expo City Dubai

13.40

Story 3: 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

13.50

Story 4: Smart property management & journey towards digital twin

Engin Togrulca, Head of Asset Management, RAFAL Real Estate Development Company

14.00

Networking lunch

15.00

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

15.45

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

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

16.30

Close of day 1 | Track 1

Day 1: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Track 2
Track 2 | Hall B
12.10

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 Omari, 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

12.45

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

Amr Saad, Executive Director, Osool Integrated Real Estate Company

Arjun Mohan, Founder & CEO, TENDERD

Ismail Azam, Director of Construction Technology and Applications, NEOM

Theofanis Fanourakis, Digital Design & Delivery Director, Diriyah Company

13.20

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:

Zara Merali, Counsel, Freshfields LLP

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

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

15.10

Success | failure story: Extending BIM use to site | field operations for increased productivity

Cristina Sánchez, BIM Manager, Lendlease Europe

15.20

Success | failure story: How developers use BIM

Amarnath Patnam, Vice President - Design Technology, Sobha Realty

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

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

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

16.45

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

Unlocking hyper-personalised buying journeys in PropTech

In an age where Netflix predicts your next binge and Amazon knows your next purchase, why should property buying still feel impersonal, fragmented, one-size-fits-all? This session explores the art of the possible in creating truly personalised real estate buying experiences—combining the best of data science, AI, immersive technology and human-centric design. From dynamic property recommendations based on lifestyle and life stage to AI-driven virtual concierges that guide buyers from search to signing, the future is personal.

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, AQAAR

Mazen Yehia, Head of Communities & Facility Management, Al Mouj Muscat

11.50

Morning networking break

Track 1
Track 1 | Hall C
12.15

Fireside chat: Reimagining real estate through technology

Led by:

James Dearsley, Chief Executive Officer, Verv

in conversation with:

Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman, Danube Group

12.30

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.

Led by:

Engin Togrulca, Head of Asset Management, RAFAL Real Estate Development Company

in conversation with:

Ashraf Qasem, Chief Hospitality Officer, Al Othaim Royal

Bashar Khdair, Co-Founder and CEO, DEED Technology

Farbod Sadeghian, CEO, The BLOCK

Sarah Hewerdine, Marketing Director, Getstake

13.00

Panel: Building passports 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

Dr. Kell Jones, Acting Director, Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment, The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL

13.40

Close of day 2 | Track 1

14.15

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 Hughes 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

Success story: From static models to living twins: keeping your digital twin alive and aligned

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: Driving efficiency from BIM to boardroom: Scaling intelligence across urban infrastructure

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

Jatin Lad, Lead - Smart Cities & Digital Twin, Ardara - PIF

Kendall Wilson, Senior Manager, Digital Twin, Modon Real Estate

12.55

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:

Andrew Bevan,Technical Director - Head of Digital Solutions EMEA, Parsons Corporation

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

13.35

Close of day 2 | Track 2

14.00

Awards networking reception | Construction Technology Awards

15.00

Awards ceremony | Construction Technology Awards