RED SUMMIT 2024 UNITES SAUDI AMBITION WITH EUROPEAN INNOVATION, BRIDGING CONTINENTS, CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS.
The 17th edition of the Real Estate Development (RED) Summit – Saudi Arabia | Europe Edition, organized by GBB Venture, was a compelling showcase of cross-continental collaboration. Held at the architecturally rich Lisbon Congress Centre’s RIO Pavilion, this landmark event was not just another summit—it was a living, breathing dialogue between Saudi Arabia’s rapid development trajectory and Europe’s finest in design, construction, and sustainability.
The summit’s theme, “Connecting Beyond Boundaries,” resonated strongly through each meticulously planned session, keynote, and curated meeting. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as the north star, the summit brought together 158 buying companies, 108 solution providers from 25+ countries, 21 global speakers, and over 1,575 pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, making it a powerhouse of purposeful interaction.
A Milestone Opening with Clear Intent
Setting the tone with vision and gratitude, Ravi Kumar Chandran, Founder & Managing Director of GBB Venture, opened the summit by reflecting on GBB’s journey and the critical role of collaboration in uncertain global times. Marking GBB’s 25th landmark event, his message was one of resilience and progress.
He was followed by Rui Lourenço Pereira, Deputy Director of the Commercial Department at AICEP, who underlined Portugal’s enthusiasm for supporting strategic international partnerships, specifically highlighting the potential synergy between European expertise and Saudi Arabia’s growing development needs.
Keynote Spotlights – Where Vision Meets Action
The summit’s keynote sessions wasted no time diving into big ideas and future-shaping insights. Ron Bakker, Founding Partner at PLP Architecture, unpacked the innovation behind The Edge, a smart office space that redefines work environments. Meanwhile, Pablo Vidarte, CEO of BIOO, turned heads with concepts such as soil-powered batteries and bioluminescent landscaping, where sustainability and creativity intersect.
Tetyana Kovalenko, CEO of Elite Stone Group, brought “green luxury” to the fore, blending opulence with eco-consciousness through sustainable marble practices. In a different vein, Dr. Andreas Wieser of Smart United GmbH shifted focus to an often-overlooked subject: indoor air quality, stressing its importance in modern developments.
Closer to home, Ali Al Ghamdi, Transformation Consultant at OSUS, explored the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector, while Elias Abou Samra, CEO of Rafal Real Estate, examined evolving development models shaping Saudi skylines.
Engagement Beyond the Stage
The summit was not confined to keynote lectures. After a dynamic morning, delegates enjoyed a networking coffee break and group photo that captured the spirit of international collaboration. Then came an engaging session by Christos Passas of Zaha Hadid Architects, highlighting their boundary-pushing work in sustainable high-rise design.
This momentum flowed into what RED Summits are best known for; high-impact B2B meetings. These structured one-on-one interactions turned shared interests into strategic conversations, setting the groundwork for future partnerships.
Afternoon Agility and Coastal Conversations
Following a wellness recharge led by Technogym’s Amâncio Santos, delegates were re-energized for the panel discussion “Simplifying Agility.” Moderated by Daniel O’Brien, Director – Development at Qiddiya, the session brought together:
- Sanjay Tanwani – Regional Director, AECOM
- Paul Fraser – Director of Cities & Communities for KSA, AtkinsRéalis
- James Passmore – Public Investment Fund (PIF)
- Al. Motasem B. Attiyah – CEO, CLEAR Holding Co.
The discussion offered a deep dive into the architectural, logistical, and strategic agility needed to future-proof Saudi Arabia’s built environment.
The day concluded on a scenic note with a coastal cocktail dinner at Arriba, Lisbon. Here, business turned casual, but the connections stayed meaningful.
Day Two – Insight Meets Innovation
Day two launched with market insights delivered by Harmen De Jong, Regional Partner & Head of Consulting at Knight Frank, who detailed demand-supply dynamics in Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing real estate market.
This was followed by “Designing the Iconic”, a captivating design series featuring:
- Maximilian Zielinski, Senior Partner – Foster + Partners
- Viggo Haremst, Partner & Design Director – Henning Larsen
- Mark Kennedy, Head of Design – MAGNA (NEOM)
These speakers shared compelling stories of architectural endurance and legacy thinking, proving that today’s real estate designs are tomorrow’s cultural touchstones.
Another highlight was the high-level panel “Market Dynamics & Mega Events Reshaping the Industry.” Moderated by Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, the discussion featured:
- Dr. Bassam Boodai, Board Member & Investment Committee Chairman – AL MOZAINI Real Estate
- Eng. Abdulaziz Al Zamil, CBDO – Tatweer
Their dialogue underscored how giga-projects, regulatory evolution, and a global spotlight are dramatically accelerating the Saudi property ecosystem.
Final Flourish: Speed Networking and Future Plans
Before the curtain fell, the final session, a Delegates-Only Speed Networking Bash which delivered high-energy, high-value meetings among 100+ developers, consultants, operators, and designers. In under 100 minutes, connections that might have taken months were forged in minutes.
As participants left Lisbon, they carried more than business cards, they carried momentum. From curated discussions to actionable outcomes, the RED Summit created a ripple effect that will extend far beyond Europe’s shores.
Tech Tools and Thoughtful Touches
GBB Venture’s attention to detail extended to technology-powered facilitation, including an AI-based chatbot, live photo updates, and seamless scheduling through the GBB Connect platform. These elements ensured participants spent more time connecting, and less time coordinating.
Closing Thoughts: Collaboration Without Borders
The 17th RED Summit was not simply a gathering of industry professionals. It was a vibrant, future-focused movement that proved one truth: collaboration is the cornerstone of progress.
As Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 fuels demand for innovation, expertise, and sustainability, European partners stand ready with a wealth of knowledge and creativity. And GBB Venture remains the catalyst, turning dialogue into action, strategy into structure.
The summit ended, but the journey continues. Lisbon was the beginning of new partnerships, powerful narratives, and transformational blueprints—both literal and strategic.
This post-event summary is proudly published by Saudi Projects, the Kingdom’s leading platform for development insights.
To continue the momentum or get involved in future editions, visit:
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