BUILDEX Alberta and The Buildings Show events, both put on by Informa, are joining forces this year to introduce a new event experience for the Canadian construction industry.
The shows will combine to take place under the banner of Buildings Week – five days of online networking, programming and vendor browsing.
“Thinking about the fall, we weren’t sure what position we would be in,” said Amanda Dunn, Informa marketing director. “We planned two scenarios: holding some sort of physical event or going completely online. We definitely hoped we could do a physical event but that didn’t turn out to be the case with restrictions and travel bans.”
Dunn explained that Informa saw the challenge as an opportunity to combine its regional events into a nationwide experience.
“We thought it would be best to do something that we have been working towards as an industry — to build a community that is accessible across the nation,” she said.
The virtual event will connect more than 70,000 design, construction and real estate professionals from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4.
Powered by Buildings Canada and Informa Connect, the event will also look to offer some respite from the virtual fatigue many may be feeling after months of video meetings, phone calls and the digitization of work.
“Everything will be done online on a cool new platform,” said Dunn. “It is going to be unique for everybody. We are trying to create something unique that isn’t a webinar that you can use as a tool to make connections, discover new products and get your credits.”
Dunn explained registration will be a bit more in depth this year so the team’s platform can gather as much information about the attendee as possible. That information will then be used to help attendees connect with similar people or recommend relevant sessions.
“We really want people to think of this platform like LinkedIn to get an idea in their minds of what kind of engagement you can do,” said Dunn. “You can send messages, set up meetings, do video calls. It is innovative.”
On the exhibition side, attendees can explore virtual booths and an online marketplace to discover leading product innovations, learn about technical specifications or watch live product demonstrations.
The online event will feature more than 100 professionally accredited educational seminars, virtual panels, technical presentations, keynote sessions and professional development workshops.
The sessions will feature audience polls, speaker Q&As and group chats to get attendees involved.
“Our themes have definitely changed this year,” said Dunn. “I think the goal is to provide more clarity about what is happening, re-energize businesses and offer lots of different resources.”
Registration for the event is currently open at www.thebuildingsshow.com.
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