Saudi Arabia is set to host two groundbreaking events, the MEP International Conference 2024 and the inaugural Building Envelope Design and Insulation Conference 2024, on Sept. 16-17, at Jeddah Hilton.

These co-located events, supported by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing along with other key industry stakeholders, will revolutionize the region’s construction landscape, emphasizing sustainable and innovative solutions in alignment with Vision 2030.

The MEP International Conference 2024, held with the tagline “Pioneering Sustainable Innovation,” will convene leading experts to explore the future of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sectors in Saudi Arabia. Backed by prominent organizations such as KAFD Development and Management Company, ROSHN, Red Sea Global, Rua Al-Madinah Holding, CIOB, and CIBSE, this conference will feature distinguished keynote speakers including Mohammed Asiri, chairman of the Saudi Council of Engineers, and Khalid Abdullah Al-Molhem, CEO of Saudi Electricity Company.

The agenda will cover a wide range of critical topics, from sustainable energy solutions and smart building technologies to digital transformation, driving discussions on best practices and groundbreaking innovations that will shape the future of the industry.

Co-located with the MEP International Conference, BEDIC 2024 focuses on “Advancing Building Envelope Design” and marks the region’s first dedicated event on building envelope design
and insulation. 

With the support of the Ministry, the National Committee for the Saudi Building Code, and leading industry partners, the conference will address the increasing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The event will be inaugurated with a keynote address by Mohammed Al-Mulhim, deputy minister for licensing and project coordination, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The agenda will feature insights from key industry figures involved in giga-projects such as New Murabba, Rua Al-Madinah, NEOM, and King Abdullah Financial District, focusing on the latest trends and technologies driving the future of building design in the Kingdom.

Both events, MEPIC 2024 and BEDIC 2024 offer a strategic platform for professionals to engage, network, and collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s built environment.

IMI, a privately-owned global media group headquartered in the UAE, has announced the launch of the IMI Academy, which will play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s media landscape. The academy will equip the next generation of journalists and content creators with the skills and resources necessary to excel, offering an advanced curriculum focused on media, journalism, and content creation using the latest learning methodologies.

IMI has undergone a significant transformation under the leadership of Group CEO Rani R. Raad, who also serves as president and operating partner of Redbird IMI. The launch of the IMI Academy represents the latest milestone in this ongoing journey, building on a series of strategic initiatives aimed at expanding and enhancing the group’s offerings. These efforts include the appointment of new divisional leaders at IMI, the introduction of new editors-in-chief at Sky News Arabia and CNN Business Arabic, and a comprehensive overhaul of the group’s editorial assets, focusing on both content strategy and product innovation.

Training and knowledge exchange have long been part of IMI’s operations, driven by the unwavering commitment of its various media entities and their training initiatives. The National recently initiated its second cohort of its graduate training program designed to provide young graduates with the essential skills and insights for a successful career in journalism. Also, since its inception in April 2021, Sky News Arabia Academy has made significant strides in nurturing future media professionals, journalists, and content creators, delivering high-caliber courses to a wide range of participants, from youth and students to aspiring media professionals, business leaders, and CEOs. The IMI Academy will build upon these under the leadership of Faisal bin Huraiz as its director.

Bin Huraiz first joined Sky News Arabia as a key member of its launch team and has been one of the channel’s leading anchors since 2012, conducting interviews with high-profile political figures such as UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In addition to his role in the newsroom, he has garnered extensive expertise as a trainer, coach, and certified mentor over the past 17 years, training more than 3,000 individuals, including top-level executives, government officials, students, and graduates. 

Raad said: “From the outset, our vision has been to build IMI into a global media powerhouse that enriches and empowers lives through cutting-edge media products, content, and user experiences, delivered by best-in-class journalists and professionals.

“We are proud to have made significant strides toward that goal over the past year, and we recognize that this progress brings with it a responsibility to nurture the next generation of media talent in the region, helping to grow this vital sector that we aim to lead. The establishment of the IMI Academy will introduce a new offering that supports the ongoing learning and development needs of our evolving industry.

“I am delighted to welcome Faisal bin Huraiz to this new role, which he will take on alongside his position as a presenter at Sky News Arabia. Faisal is an exemplary Emirati talent, and one of the region’s most highly certified professionals in media training, Faisal has been instrumental in the success of the Sky News Arabia Academy since its inception. In his new role, the IMI Academy will benefit not only from his expertise at Sky News Arabia but also from the strengths of The National, CNN Business Arabic, and Al-Ain News. I am confident that he will lead the IMI Academy to become the region’s foremost media training hub.”

Under bin Huraiz’s leadership, the academy will introduce world-class training and development programs, featuring modern curriculums delivered through advanced practical teaching techniques and accelerated learning methods. All courses will be aligned with global standards to ensure the highest levels of professionalism and will incorporate the latest technologies, including AI tools.

Reflecting on his new role, bin Huraiz said: “I am honored by the trust placed in me to lead the IMI Academy. This role perfectly aligns with my passion for training, capacity building, and media empowerment. In today’s era of storytelling, owning and effectively conveying your narrative is crucial — if you do not tell your story, someone else will. The experiences I’ve gained at Sky News Arabia, both in the newsroom and on the field, have deepened my commitment to advancing media training in our region. My goal is to enhance professionalism and empower every speaker and decision-maker to communicate their message effectively.

“I look forward to working with our experienced team to build on their excellent work and deliver innovative, impactful programs tailored to the needs of individuals, institutions, and governments, while upholding the highest professional and ethical standards.”

In addition to his extensive training accreditations and certifications, bin Huraiz holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from UAE University and an associate degree in cinematography and film/ video production from the New York Film Academy.