International Trenchless Tunnelling Exhibition and Conference (ITTEC 2026)
About the event
The 3rd International Trenchless Tunnelling Exhibition and Conference runs on 14 and 15 October 2026 at the Fairmont Riyadh, after two earlier editions, the most recent in 2025, that established trenchless and underground construction as core enablers of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure programme. Over two days it gathers project owners, consultants, contractors and technology providers around a single question: how to run utility networks and transport corridors beneath dense cities, heritage districts and giga-project sites with minimal disruption.
The programme is framed by the market drivers published for the event: raising wastewater network coverage to 95% by 2030 from roughly 62% today, stormwater and drainage programmes running across 13 municipalities, and utility demand rising as Riyadh grows from about eight million residents in 2020 toward a projected 16 million by 2030. Ten major Gulf tunnelling projects are profiled with their owners, consultants and budgets, from the Riyadh Strategic Sewer and Utility Tunnels Program at SAR 15 to 20 billion, to NEOM Oxagon’s utility tunnels at USD 5 to 7 billion, Jeddah’s stormwater and sewer trunk tunnels at SAR 4 to 6 billion and Diriyah Gate’s utility tunnels at over USD 1 billion, alongside the Dubai Deep Tunnel Stormwater System, the Abu Dhabi Strategic Sewer Tunnel and the Doha South sewer tunnels.
The two-day agenda mixes panel discussions and technical presentations covering deep urban tunnelling for Vision 2030 mega cities, the infrastructure projects code and a contractor accreditation framework, engineering interfaces between urban trenchless works and large-diameter tunnels, TBM tunnelling in extreme ground conditions, robotic pipeline rehabilitation, BIM integration in early trenchless design, and environmental sustainability in infrastructure and urban development. An exhibition and two industry innovation sessions run alongside across both days. Entry is free on a complimentary pass issued to government authorities, developers, consultants, associations and academic institutions through the official registration form, while vendors and solution providers register by writing to the organiser directly. More than 400 attendees are projected, 80% of them decision makers, with more than 25 local and international speakers and more than 25 sponsors and exhibitors.
Agenda
23- 08:30–09:30Registration and Refreshments
- 09:30–09:35Welcome Remarks by Great Minds Event Management
- 09:35–09:45Opening Remarks by Conference Chairperson
- 09:45–10:30Opening Panel Discussion: Engineering the Underground Backbone of Vision 2030 Mega CitiesPositioning trenchless and mega tunnelling as the core delivery model for national infrastructure; solving deep urban congestion, groundwater and corridor capacity constraints at scale; and defining technical standards and governance for long-term underground asset performance. Panellists: Miguel F. Amaral of Parsons Corporation, Mohamed Ghazy of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and Hazim Ibrahim of the Saudi Society of Civil Engineering.
- 10:30–10:50Presentation: Connecting Trenchless Across the World - The Global Role of ISTT in Advancing No-Dig InfrastructureUnifying national trenchless societies to share knowledge, standards and technical expertise across regions; enabling global capacity building through training, certification and academic-industry collaboration; and accelerating worldwide adoption by transferring proven technologies and lessons learned. Speaker: Mark Andre Haebler, Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology.
- 10:50–11:05Keynote PresentationReserved for a leading innovative solution provider in trenchless technology.
- 11:05–11:25Presentation: Infrastructure Projects Code - Setting the Standards for Resilient and Future-Ready InfrastructureEstablishing unified standards and requirements to improve the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure projects; enhancing coordination between authorities, developers, consultants and contractors to reduce conflicts and improve efficiency; and strengthening quality, safety, sustainability and long-term resilience across infrastructure development. Speaker: Mustafa Al-Hakim of the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center.
- 12:05–12:50Panel Discussion: Managing Engineering Interfaces Between Urban Trenchless Works and Large-Diameter TunnelsSequencing microtunnelling, pipe jacking and cut-and-cover tunnels to avoid conflicts and rework; controlling vibration, noise and ground movements to protect adjacent buildings and sensitive utilities; and coordinating multiple utility owners and contractors within constrained underground construction zones. Panellists: Tamer Dahdouli of Diriyah Company, Mohamed Ghazy of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Hazim Ibrahim of the Saudi Society of Civil Engineering, and Muhammad J. Qayyum of Emaar, The Economic City.
- 12:50–13:20Industry Innovation SessionThree ten-minute presentations by industry experts sharing insights and case studies on successful applications of innovative trenchless solutions.
- 13:20–13:40Presentation: Detailed Master Planning for Integrated and Future-Ready Urban DevelopmentTranslating strategic urban visions into practical, coordinated and deliverable development plans; integrating land use, mobility, infrastructure, public realm and community needs within a unified planning framework; and creating flexible, resilient master plans that respond to future growth and long-term development priorities. Speaker: Saud bin Dawood of the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center.
- 13:40–14:00Presentation: Sustainable Tunnelling for Transport Infrastructure - From Integrated Process to On-Site DeliveryIntegrating sustainable design and engineering principles from planning through construction; reducing carbon, material use and environmental impact across the tunnelling lifecycle; and translating design strategies into efficient, safe and sustainable on-site delivery. Speaker: Abdullah AlMazyad of Qiddiya Investment Company.
- 14:40–14:45Closing Remarks by Conference Chairperson
- 08:30–09:30Registration and Networking
- 09:30–09:35Opening Remarks by Conference Chairperson
- 09:35–10:20Panel Discussion: Mastering Trenchless and TBM Tunnelling in Extreme and Difficult Ground ConditionsSelecting appropriate trenchless and TBM excavation methods for mixed-face, rock and high-groundwater environments; managing face stability, groundwater inflow and ground treatment to control risk in deep and long tunnel drives; and improving cutterhead performance, tool life and maintenance strategies to reduce downtime. Moderator: Ayman Hammoudah of KEO International Consultants. Panellists: Miguel F. Amaral of Parsons Corporation, Bandar M Alshammari of the National Water Company, and Will Howlett of Arup.
- 10:20–10:40Presentation: Contractors Accreditation Framework for Quality and Excellence in Project DeliveryEstablishing clear accreditation standards to assess contractor capability, experience, technical expertise and compliance; raising construction quality, safety and accountability through consistent qualification and performance requirements; and building a trusted contractor ecosystem that supports efficient project delivery. Speaker: Yasser Iskobi of the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center.
- 10:40–10:55Keynote PresentationReserved for a leading innovative solution provider in trenchless technology.
- 10:55–11:15Presentation: Deploying Robotic and Automated Systems for Trenchless Pipeline RehabilitationApplying robotic cutting and cleaning systems for defect removal and liner preparation in live pipelines; ensuring installation quality and curing control in CIPP and close-fit lining systems; and reducing man-entry and confined space exposure through automation. Speaker: Anna Olliver of Jacobs.
- 11:45–12:05Presentation: Environmental Sustainability in Infrastructure and Urban DevelopmentEmbedding environmental considerations into the planning, design, construction and operation of infrastructure projects; reducing carbon emissions, resource consumption and environmental impact through sustainable materials and efficient practices; and building climate-resilient infrastructure that protects natural ecosystems. Speaker: Khalid Al-Qahtani of the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center.
- 12:05–12:35Industry Innovation SessionThree ten-minute presentations by industry experts sharing insights and case studies on successful applications of innovative trenchless solutions.
- 12:35–13:20Panel Discussion: Embedding Trenchless and Tunnelling Design in Early Engineering, BIM and Master PlanningIntegrating trenchless feasibility and constructability assessments at the concept and preliminary design stages; using BIM and subsurface utility engineering to coordinate tunnels and utility corridors in three dimensions; and preventing costly redesigns and clashes through early digital modelling. Moderator: Ayman Hammoudah of KEO International Consultants. Panellists: Tamer Dahdouli of Diriyah Company, Ali M Zeidan of Khatib and Alami, Tasawar Kazmi of Al-Ayuni Investment and Contracting Company, and Ali Gohar of Jacobs.
- 13:20–13:40Presentation: Giga Projects and Events Support Office - Enabling Seamless Delivery of High-Impact DevelopmentsStrengthening coordination between government entities, developers and stakeholders to support efficient delivery of giga projects and major events; streamlining approvals, infrastructure requirements and cross-agency processes; and aligning major projects and events with city-wide infrastructure capacity and long-term urban objectives. Speaker: Faisal Mokli of the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center.
- 13:40–13:50Closing Remarks by Conference Chairperson
