UK Construction Week Preview

UK Construction Week makes a triumphant return this month, following its successful launch last autumn.

From 18th – 20th October, Birmingham NEC will again play host to nine sector-specific seminars, further cementing UK Construction Week as one of the country’s most compelling and eclectic industry-focused events. And according to Richard Morey, Group Events Director for organiser Media 10, there’s plenty more to look forward to.

“This year’s event is set to be our best to date and we’re delighted to be able to announce so many big names,” said Richard. “A host of prestigious firms will be taking to the stage across the nine shows, including some of the most recognizable brands from the UK, Ireland and Europe. Visitors will benefit from the wealth of products and expert knowledge on display as well as the huge potential to network with fellow industry professionals.”

For many, UK Construction Week represents the first tangible networking opportunity since the upheaval of the EU referendum. There’s much to discuss, and with a great many people – Media 10 anticipates an attendance in excess of 24,000. Those taking part will be able to learn more about the latest legislative concerns, or witness game-changing new technologies first-hand.

The Main Stage remains UK Construction Week’s centrepiece however. During the three day event showcase, familiar faces George Clarke, Steph McGovern and Victoria Fritz will each take to the stage to tackle some of the priority issues currently impacting the construction industry.

Day One kicks-off with an in-depth appraisal of former Chancellor George Osborne’s claim that the UK doesn’t “train enough or build enough or invest enough”. Debating both the root cause and the resolution to the construction industry’s low productivity are Adrian Belton – Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Dr Diana Montgomery – Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association (CPA), Paul Nash FCIOB – President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and David Hancock – Head of Construction at the Cabinet Office.

In light of the EU referendum, Day Two will give attendees an early opportunity to gauge the industry’s reaction post-Brexit. In a seminar entitled ‘Keep Building; housing in post referendum Britain’, the hardships facing the UK housebuilding market will be examined. Confirmed panellists include Allan Wilen – Economics Director and Head of Market Intelligence for Glenigan, Stephen Hodder – Immediate Past President and Client Ambassador for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and David Cowans – Group Chief Executive at Places for People.

Finally, Day Three will investigate the impact of BIM six months on from the Government’s soft landing deadline. Has it worked in practice? What support can the industry expect in the run-up to Level 3? Probing questions like these will be put to a senior line up of panellists from Balfour Beatty, Crossrail, RIBA Enterprises and BRE.

Elsewhere, attendees can expect a varied range of high profile exhibitors including JCB, Screwfix, CEMEX, Vandecasteele and Scottish Power. Last year UK Construction Week welcomed 650 such companies, and Media 10 is hopeful that it can build on that momentum with an even bigger contingent.

Collectively, these moments account for only a fraction of UK Construction Week’s packed programme of events. Let’s not forget the free-to-attend beer and ale festival, which promises the perfect environment in which to unwind. More important however is the larger role that exhibitions such as this have to play in engaging with the entire construction industry.

Dr David Hancock, Head of Construction, Infrastructure and Projects Authority, concluded: “Having participated in the first UKCW and been part of the steering group, it was very apparent to me that this event has the potential to change the image of construction. It can act as a catalyst for all of the construction supply chain, from products and manufacturers to end users, to meet and do business and be a place for us all to tackle the challenges we face head on. This is an incredibly exciting time for construction in this country and UKCW can make sure we all benefit.”

Registering to attend UK Construction Week is quick, easy and free-of-charge, and can be completed by visiting: http://ift.tt/1N9jdXi

 

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