An eclectic, forward
thinking crowd of 34,327 construction professionals attended UK Construction
Week on 8-10 October.
There was a
particular swell in visitors keen to learn about future technologies and how
they could be applied to their businesses.
The future of
construction and how it is driving change was a major focus at this year’s
event and it was clearly a driver to bring the crowds to the show at the NEC in
Birmingham.
Among the 300
speakers and 150 hours of content, major highlights last week included the
first industry appearance for the Construction Minister, Nadhim Zahawi MP, and
keynote speeches and debates featuring Lord Digby Jones, architect George
Clarke, modern methods of construction (MMC) advocate Mark Farmer and diversity
champion Angela Dapper, principal at Grimshaw Architects. Mental health in the
industry was also a major focal point at the show, making UK Construction Week
the largest event in the sector to address these issues. UK Construction Week
worked alongside Public Health England to launch Every Mind Matters to the
construction industry.
UK Construction Week
took innovation to a new level this year with its partnership with the
Construction Innovation Hub (the Hub) and the new innovation zone. On a
practical front there were a record number of product launches, showcases and
demos providing something for all construction professionals regardless of
trade. This was also the inaugural year for the co-launch of the very
successful Concrete Expo.
Now in its second
year, the UK Construction Week Role Model of the year award went to Anjali
Pindoria, project surveyor at Avi Contracts. She is a passionate advocate for
diversity and inclusion within construction.
Sustainability was a
major push for the event with all exhibitors being encouraged to sign up to a
‘net zero’ agreement to boost awareness of the UK’s carbon-cutting goals and
encouraged to follow tips to boost their own sustainability. The printed show guide
was switched for an environmentally friendly app, and to help reduce single-use
plastic, free water fountains were installed around the show and free reusable
bottles given out.
Summarising a very
successful show, Nathan Garnett, event director said: “This year's UK
Construction Week for me was brimming with positivity. In a time of political
and economic uncertainty, the UK's largest showcase for the sector showed signs
of transformation, as it adopts innovation at a faster pace than ever. The
feeling all around was that we have a lot of work to do, come what may, so
let’s get on with doing it in the safest, fastest and most efficient way
possible by harnessing the potential of new technologies.
“UK Construction
Week 2019 also tackled mental health in the sector head on with the support of
the Every Mind Matters campaign, as we continue the role of improving mental
health in construction for good. I was delighted how open the construction
industry has now become on this subject and great conversations have started.
“Finally, to see the
talent and diversity on stage for our UK Construction Awards, Fix Radio Awards
and Role Model 2019 presentation shows how far we have come in the fifth
edition of the event. Although there is a mountain still to climb, as an
industry we should all be proud of that transformation.”
Looking to the
future, UK Construction Week will be hosting a series of specialist summits in
the New Year, including:
- Marketing in Construction
Summit, 12 February 2020
- Belonging in Construction
Summit, 13 February 2020
- Wellbeing in Construction
Summit, 30 June 2020
- Quality in Construction
Summit, 1 July 2020
To find out more
visit summits.ukconstructionweek.com.
The dates for next year’s UK Construction Week are 6-8 October 2020.
