Shaping a Smart Future for Facilities Management in Saudi Arabia

Embracing Sustainability and Innovation with MEFMA CONFEX 2023

MEFMA CONFEX 2023 logo

  • The annual conference will be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing
  • The event will take place October 15-16, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing, and in the presence of His Excellency Vice Minister Mr. Ihab bin Ghazi Al-Hashani, the 11th edition of the MEFMA CONFEX Conference and Exhibition will take place under the theme, “FM in the Digital Age – Embracing a Smart Future”. The facilities management (FM) event is scheduled for October 15-16, 2023, at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, in Riyadh.

The Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) annual conference, “MEFMA CONFEX 2023,” has engaged the most prominent experts in the facilities management industry to present their best practices and experiences in the digital age; to discuss their use of modern technologies  to make the sector smarter; and to raise awareness about the importance of the facilities management industry. The sustainability and prolongation of the operational life of facilities and mega-projects has been a key component in Saudi Arabia’s national and digital transformation, towards achieving Vision 2030.

The conference will open with the participation of senior decision-makers in the facilities management sector, government representatives, real estate developers, service providers, and suppliers in the industry, both locally and regionally. The opening session will feature the following speakers: Jamal Lootah, MEFMA President & Group CEO of Imdaad; Mohammed AlDuraibi, MEFMA Board Member & Managing Director of Oud Real Estate Company; Abdullah Al-Hammad, CEO of the Real Estate General Authority; Mohammed Al-Marshad, First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors in the Riyadh Chamber & Chairman of the National Real Estate Commission in the Federation of Saudi Chambers; Ahmed Balkheyour, Executive Director of the Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO); and Adel Al-Roeshedy, CEO of the Saudi Facility Management Company, FMTECH.

Jamal Lootah, founding partner and president of MEFMA, stated, “The region is witnessing a significant and tangible acceleration in the transformation of many sectors into the digital age, and particularly the facilities management sector. This transformation will be achieved by relying on smart digital solutions within an integrated framework aimed at implementing best practices in sustainable development. The goal is to ensure a smarter era and create a thriving environment for future generations in the region. Saudi Arabia serves as a unique global model in this context, as it has excelled in the development of infrastructure, facilities, and monumental projects. These elements have been the cornerstone of the nation’s prosperity, driven by Vision 2030, which accelerated the wheel of sustainable development. The achievements of Saudi Arabia have contributed to its transformation into a global leader in the facilities management sector.

“The acceleration we are witnessing in the region primarily directs governments to adopt initiatives, draw up practical plans, and implement them within massive projects and public facilities. The aim is to encourage all sectors to invest in smart solutions to meet societal needs and raise awareness in an environment rich in innovations and technologies. Undoubtedly, understanding the principles of sustainable development will support the sector in its growth and transformation, aligning with the aspirations of governments and communities in the region. This, in turn, paves the way for a sustainable future that contributes to the prosperity of the region’s nations.”

The CONFEX program will be filled with rich content, including several specialized workshops and sessions on the latest trends in the sector, such as Technology and Data-Driven FM; Facilities Management journey towards achieving Sustainability; FM contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Visionary Future; and Spotlight on the FM involvement towards Saudi Arabia’s construction boom.

The first panel session, which will be moderated by Eng. Ali AlSuwaidi from MEFMA and Global FM, will highlight the FM involvement in Saudi Arabia’s construction boom and it will feature the participation of Bashar Kassab, Vice President Community Management at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD); Mohammed AlMosaidi, CEO of Zahran Facilities Management; Nasser Al Osaimi, Executive Director (Operations) of Rua Al Madinah Holding; and Waleed Munshi, General Manager of Real Estate Sectors at the Real Estate General Authority.

The second panel session will focus on FM in the Digital Age – Embracing a Smart Future. The session will be moderated by Mushtak Al-Hamady, Associate Vice President (Head of Construction) at Emirates NBD Bank and it will feature Adel Al Saleh, Chief Executive FM Technologies Officer at The Saudi Facility Management Company FMTECH; Badar Hamood AlRashdi, Director of Engineering Support in the Royal Court Affairs; Mohammad Ali Shalan, Vice President of Professional Development in the Project Management Institute (PMI) Saudi Chapter; and Hadi G. Al-Irjan, Senior Director (Facility Management & Services) at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH).

Additionally, CONFEX will include various workshops covering topics such as: Performance Management in FM Contracts; Impactful FM on Megaprojects and beyond; Organization Culture and Employee Engagement: The Secret Steps to Profit for the FM Industry; and the Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Smart and Sustainable Facilities.

MEFMA CONFEX 2023 is one of the activities offered by MEFMA, in addition to numerous training courses and the MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM. These activities aim to elevate the facilities management industry to high-level administrative and technical horizons. It is worth noting that MEFMA is organizing the conference in active partnership with Aramco, as a Strategic Sponsor; Saudi Facility Management Company FMTECH, as a Diamond Sponsor; HITEK Technologies Services, as a PropTech Sponsor; Osus Real Estate, as a Real Estate Strategic Sponsor; Zahran Facilities Management, as a Platinum Sponsor; ESAD Services Group and Al Mahmal Facilities Services Company, as Gold Sponsors; and United Facilities Management and Elegancia Facilities Management, as Silver Sponsors.