Why Türkiye is Big 5’s next strategic construction market
Ben Greenish, executive vice president at dmg events, explains why Türkiye is the next strategic market for the Big 5 portfolio and how the new event aims to strengthen regional and international construction partnerships
20 July, 2026
TT
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For more than 45 years, Big 5 has evolved from a single construction exhibition into one of the industry’s largest global event portfolios, mirroring the changing priorities of the built environment across high-growth markets.
Now, organiser dmg events is taking the brand into Türkiye with the launch of Big 5 Construct Türkiye in 2027, a move that reflects the country’s growing role in regional construction, manufacturing and infrastructure investment.
For Ben Greenish, executive vice president at dmg events, the expansion is less about entering a new geography and more about responding to shifting construction supply chains and the increasing demand for regional business platforms that connect developers, contractors, manufacturers and policymakers.
“The portfolio has expanded across key construction markets in the Middle East and Africa, creating an interconnected network of trade events that reflects where construction investment and development are taking place,” says Greenish.
“Whether in the UAE, with the flagship, Big 5 Global, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Syria or now Türkiye, our approach has remained consistent. We listen to the industry, identify where project activity creates opportunities and develop trade exhibitions that support business growth, policy alignment and knowledge exchange.”
Following construction investment
Greenish says the success of the Big 5 portfolio has been driven by its ability to evolve alongside the markets it serves.
Rather than replicating a standard exhibition model across different countries, the portfolio has focused on aligning with local construction priorities while maintaining international connectivity.
“Its strength lies in its ability to reflect local market priorities while linking businesses to an international network across key construction markets in the Middle East and Africa.”
“That ability to adapt to the changing market requirements while maintaining strong industry relationships has enabled Big 5 to remain relevant across multiple regions and continue serving the evolving needs of the construction sector.”
Türkiye’s inclusion reflects the country’s expanding pipeline of infrastructure, urban regeneration and industrial development projects, as well as its growing importance as a manufacturing and export base serving Europe, the Middle East and neighbouring markets.
“For more than four decades, Big 5 Global has connected the global construction community with opportunities across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. As those markets continue to evolve, Big 5 Construct Türkiye represents a natural next step in our growth strategy.”
He points to government-led investment programmes covering transport infrastructure, housing, sustainability and urban transformation, alongside the Türkiye Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Project (TERRP), as key drivers behind the timing of the launch.
“Our objective is to create opportunities for businesses to build partnerships, access new markets and gain a deeper understanding of Türkiye’s evolving construction landscape.”
A strategic gateway for regional trade
Greenish believes Türkiye’s geographic position is becoming increasingly important as companies rethink supply chains and establish regional manufacturing and sourcing strategies.
“As supply chains become more regionalised and companies look to diversify their operations, Türkiye is well positioned to support both domestic development and international business expansion. Its manufacturing capabilities, transport connectivity and access to neighbouring markets make it an attractive destination for companies looking to establish regional partnerships and serve multiple geographies from a single base.”
He expects this role to strengthen further as investment continues to flow into infrastructure, industrial development and the wider built environment.
The inaugural Big 5 Construct Türkiye will be co-located with Türkiye Infrastructure Expo, a move Greenish says reflects how modern projects are increasingly delivered through integrated supply chains rather than isolated disciplines.
“The co-location creates a more comprehensive industry event that reflects how construction and infrastructure projects are delivered today.”
Bringing together developers, contractors, consultants, government stakeholders and suppliers creates opportunities that extend beyond individual products and services.
Greenish says, “For exhibitors, it expands access to a wider audience of buyers, project owners, contractors, consultants and government representatives. For visitors, it provides the opportunity to explore products, technologies and services across both vertical and horizontal construction in a single visit.”
He adds that the combined event is designed to encourage conversations around complete project delivery, investment opportunities and long-term partnerships rather than transactional sales alone.
Where future demand will emerge
Looking ahead, Greenish sees sustained opportunities across residential construction, urban regeneration, transport infrastructure, logistics and industrial development.
At the same time, evolving project requirements are creating demand for new technologies and more efficient delivery models.
“Alongside these sectors, there is increasing demand for advanced building materials and services, offsite construction, efficient technologies and digital solutions that help improve project delivery and operational performance.”
These trends, he says, create opportunities for both domestic suppliers and international companies capable of bringing specialised expertise into the market.
Beyond product showcases, Greenish believes exhibitions are increasingly becoming platforms for regional collaboration.
“As construction activity becomes increasingly interconnected, companies are looking beyond individual markets to build a regional presence through strategic partnerships, diversified supply chains and long-term investment,” says Greenish.
He expects Big 5 Construct Türkiye to strengthen commercial links between Türkiye, the GCC and wider international markets by combining business networking with technical knowledge exchange.
“Beyond facilitating business networking, the event will encourage the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and best practices through its content programme and on-ground discussions.”
For the inaugural edition in 2027, Greenish says success will not simply be determined by visitor numbers.
Instead, dmg events will focus on the quality of commercial engagement and the partnerships that emerge from the exhibition.
“We are seeing companies become far more selective about where they invest their time and resources, prioritising platforms that provide access to active projects, decision-makers and tangible business opportunities.”
He adds: “Success will therefore be measured not just by attendance, but by the meaningful commercial outcomes that are results-driven.”
For businesses evaluating Türkiye as their next expansion market, Greenish believes the fundamentals remain compelling.
“This is a market with strong fundamentals, a strategic geographic position and long-term investment potential. Companies that establish relationships early and understand local market dynamics will be best positioned to benefit as the next phase of development unfolds,” he concludes.
With construction investment continuing to reshape regional supply chains, dmg events is positioning Big 5 Construct Türkiye as a platform that connects local opportunities with international capital, expertise and partnerships; extending the Big 5 brand into another high-growth market at a time when cross-border collaboration is becoming increasingly central to the industry’s future.
