Image: UKCW
UK Construction Week (UKCW) will turn the spotlight on fire safety and champion innovative ideas at this year’s exhibition.
The event will include an ‘Innovation Trail’ which runs through each of the nine shows: Build Show, Energy 2018, Timber Expo, Building Tech Live, Surface & Materials Show, HVAC 2018, Civils Expo, Plant and Machinery Live, and Grand Designs Live.
UKCW will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from 9 to 11 October.
Speakers already confirmed include: Phil Wilbraham, expansion programme director at Heathrow; Bridget Rosewell OBE, commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission; Ben Derbyshire, RIBA president; and Ruth Davidson, National Housing Federation executive director. Steph McGovern, BBC Breakfast presenter and journalist, will chair the conference programme as in previous years.
High-level discussion will focus on issues such as the digital future of construction, diversity, Brexit, tackling the housing crisis and new industry delivery models will take place on the main stage. There will be a heavy focus on the lessons learned in the past year such as fire safety and how the industry is moving forward.
Beyond the main stage, each of the nine shows will be tackling specific issues within its sector of the industry.
New talent in the industry will also be celebrated through the ‘Role Models’ initiative which aims to engage with the next generation and illustrate the diverse career opportunities available in the built environment.
Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director, said: “There’s been a lot of focus on what’s not right in the construction industry in recent times. The Hackitt Review and ongoing inquiry continues to demonstrate the need for radical change in the way we design, construct and maintain buildings – change that will touch every part of the industry and its supply chain.
“But if we are to learn the lessons from the past, we also need a platform to see, touch and debate the new ideas and solutions in development for the future.
“At UK Construction Week we are focused on showcasing innovation from all sectors, and making it easier for any professional to update their CPD, get inspired by amazing people and projects, and walk away with practical information on new technologies, systems, products and collaborations from around the world that would otherwise take months to research.
“UK Construction Week brings together all stakeholders within the built environment across every facet of design, build and product innovation. As the largest event dedicated to knowledge sharing, championing good practice and problem solving, it’s the environment for the whole industry to look, talk, plan, learn and do business; providing answers for what, when, where and how we build our future.”
