The 17th Real Estate Development (RED) Summit – Saudi Arabia | Europe Edition, hosted by GBB Venture, turned the spotlight on Lisbon as it welcomed some of the most influential names from Saudi Arabia's evolving real estate sector for two days of purpose-driven exchange, global synergy, and fresh perspectives.
Held at the iconic Lisbon Congress Centre's RIO Pavilion, the summit brought together key decision-makers from Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving real estate sector and Europe's pioneering minds in design, construction, and hospitality, all aligned with the bold ambitions of Vision 2030.
How the summit sparked real impact?
Curious how the summit sparked real impact? Here’s the breakdown:
- 158 buying organisations joined the conversation
- 108 solution providers and sponsors showcased innovations
- 1,575+ pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings filled the agenda
- 21 international speakers led impactful sessions
- 1,800+ minutes of formal networking unfolded
- 23 global media and association partners amplified its reach
Day 1: Conversations, curiosity & coastal connections
The 17th RED Summit opened with energy and purpose. Ravi Kumar Chandran, Founder & MD of GBB Venture, welcomed the gathering with gratitude and pride, celebrating GBB’s 25th event milestone amidst a time of global uncertainty.
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| Ravi Kumar Chandran, Founder & MD of GBB Venture. |
Rui Lourenço Pereira, Deputy Director – Commercial Department of AICEP followed with a message of cross-continental partnership, setting the tone for a summit rooted in collaboration.
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| Rui Lourenço Pereira, Deputy Director – Commercial Department of AICEP. |
What followed was a fast-paced series of spotlight sessions that wasted no time getting bold ideas on the table: Ron Bakker, Founding Partner at PLP Architecture, shared insights from “The Edge,” a smart, sustainable office redefining workspaces.
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| Ron Bakker, Founding Partner at PLP Architecture. |
Pablo Vidarte, CEO of BIOO, literally lit up the room with ideas, from soil-powered batteries to bioluminescent plants.
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| Pablo Vidarte, CEO of BIOO. |
Tetyana Kovalenko, CEO at Elite Stone Group, introduced green luxury through sustainable marble.
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| Tetyana Kovalenko, CEO at Elite Stone Group. |
Dr. Andreas Wieser, Senior Physician, Working Group Leader, Deputy Head of Laboratory Diagnostics of Smart United GmbH brought attention to indoor air quality in real estate.
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| Dr. Andreas Wieser, Senior Physician, Deputy Head of Laboratory Diagnostics of Smart United GmbH. |
Ali Al Ghamdi, Transformation Consultant at OSUS, shared insights into Saudi Arabia’s evolving hospitality landscape.
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| Ali Al Ghamdi, Transformation Consultant at OSUS. |
Elias Abou Samra, CEO of Rafal Real Estate, explored shifts in development models shaping the Kingdom.
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| Elias Abou Samra, CEO of Rafal Real Estate. |
After a coffee break and a group photo that brought everyone together (smiles, espresso, and plenty of networking), the spotlight turned to Christos Passas, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, who shared innovations in sustainable high-rise design.
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| Christos Passas, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects. |
Then came what RED Summits do best, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings that transformed interest into introductions and conversations into commercial potential.
Post-lunch, with tummies full and ideas flowing... Attendees gathered for a quick wellness boost with Technogym’s energiser session, led by Amâncio Santos, proving that a five-minute fitness fix can do wonders.
This led into one of the day’s highlights, “Simplifying Agility,” a panel on building for adaptability in a fast-changing world. Moderated by Daniel O’Brien, Director – Development at Qiddiya, the session brought together Sanjay Tanwani, Regional Director - AECOM, Paul Fraser, Director of Cities and Communities for KSA - AtkinsRéalis, James Passmore - PIF, and Al. Motasem B. Attiyah, CEO - CLEAR Holding Co.
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| Panel on building for adaptability in a fast-changing world. |
The conversation centred on how flexibility, responsiveness, and strategic design are becoming must-haves in the Kingdom’s future-ready developments.
The day wrapped with more focused B2B meetings and a sunset drive to Arriba, for a coastal cocktail dinner, where conversations flowed as effortlessly as the sea breeze.
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| The day wrapped with more focused B2B meetings. |
Day 2: Insight, impact, and interaction
Day 2 opened with a deep dive into Saudi Arabia’s evolving real estate landscape. Harmen De Jong, Regional Partner & Head of Consulting – Knight Frank, unpacked key market trends and demand-supply insights shaping the Kingdom’s future.
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| Harmen De Jong, Regional Partner & Head of Consulting – Knight Frank. |
The momentum continued with “Designing the Iconic,” a presentation series where Maximilian Zielinski, Senior Partner - Foster + Partners, Viggo Haremst, Partner & Design Director - Henning Larsen, and Mark Kennedy, Head of Design - MAGNA - NEOM, shared bold visions behind structures designed to last for generations.
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| Viggo Haremst, Partner & Design Director - Henning Larsen. |
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| Maximilian Zielinski, Senior Partner - Foster + Partners. |
This was followed by a high-level panel: “Market Dynamics & Mega Events Reshaping the Industry,” moderated by Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter – Arabian Business, featuring Dr. Bassam Boodai, Board Member & Investment Committee Chairman - AL MOZAINI Real Estate and Eng. Abdulaziz Al Zamil, CBDO - Tatweer. Their discussion spotlighted the economic and cultural shifts influencing Saudi Arabia’s real estate evolution.
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| Economic and cultural shifts influencing Saudi Arabia’s real estate evolution. |
Post-lunch, delegates returned for the final curated experience, GBB’s Delegates-Only Bash, a speed networking session. In just under 100 minutes, over 100 developers, designers, consultants, and operators rotated through high-energy meetings, ending the summit on a strong note of connection and momentum.
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| GBB’s Delegates-Only Bash, a speed networking session. |
From dialogue to direction
Conversations have begun, strategies are taking shape, and the next chapter of real estate is already being written
As Lisbon drew the curtain on this vibrant edition, the 17th Real Estate Development Summit – Saudi Arabia | Europe Edition left behind more than connections, it built momentum. Conversations have begun, strategies are taking shape, and the next chapter of real estate is already being written.
A special thank you to our supporting associations: APIMA, Ghorfa (Arab-German Chamber of Commerce), Saudi Portuguese Business Council, G-Kreations, AICEP, Saudi Business Council, and AstroLabs, for their valuable presence and support in making the 17th RED Summit a success.
GBB’s tech-forward tools
Throughout the Lisbon edition, GBB’s tech-forward tools, from the AI-powered GBB Connect chatbot to real-time photo delivery, kept the experience seamless and memorable.
Connecting Beyond Boundaries was more than a theme, it came to life. This wasn’t just a summit, it was a movement. Where Europe met Saudi Arabia to co-author the future of real estate. As attendees head home with fresh ideas and future plans, one truth stands tall: The future of real estate is collaborative, sustainable, and without borders.
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| AI-powered GBB Connect chatbot to real-time photo delivery. |
Continuing the momentum
- 18th Real Estate Development Summit – Africa 8 - 9 October 2025 | InterContinental Dubai Festival City
- 19th Real Estate Development Summit – Saudi Arabia | Luxury Edition & the REDS Industry Choice Awards (RICA 2025) 12 - 13 November 2025 | The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah
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