ecobuild is returning to the ExCeL London in March 2018 and under the new ownership of Futurebuild Events Ltd, things are set to be very different. The event is being designed and built around the industry, bringing to life the latest technology, freshest thinking and most innovative materials.

The event is not only being shaped through comprehensive industry feedback, but also with direct input from leading industry influencers. These include Lynne Sullivan, Nathan Baker, Julie Hirigoyen, Darren Richards and Peter Murray, who are all members of the ecobuild Steering Group, which is helping to set the agenda for the event.

The CPD-accredited conference programme

This year’s conference takes its lead from global environmental targets, with sessions reflecting the concerns of the built environment industry and formulating practical recommendations for action.

A number of key themes and focuses will run through the conference programme. Day One begins with some of the most pressing global issues, delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. The session will be chaired by the former Labour Head of the Environmental Audit Committee, Joan Walley, and will feature keynote speaker, Paula Caballero, Global Director of the Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute – one of the driving forces behind the development of the SDGs.

ecobuild Sustainability Showcases

Surrounding the conference arena will be the ecobuild sustainability showcases, home to the some of the most innovative solutions to the issues facing the built environment. The showcases will truly put sustainability at the heart of the event.

They include a pioneering approach to turning waste into a valuable resource from architect and environmental activist, Duncan Baker-Brown, and a Natural Building Products café where experts will be on hand to provide demonstrations and information about natural building materials and techniques. There will also be the Sustainable Product Showcase, where The Passivhaus Trust and the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products will present top products and materials.

The futurebuild districts

Surrounding this will be a series of futurebuild districts – each focusing on a distinct, critical segment of the built environment.

Among those is the Building Performance district, where attendees can explore the wellbeing agenda across new build, refurb and retrofit projects. Leading brands responsible for providing the envelope of buildings will showcase the latest construction materials, products and technologies.

Visitors can also hear from experts as part of the district’s seminar programme, sponsored by Kingspan. Gwyn Roberts, New Homes and Communications Team Leader at BRE, will be leading a panel discussion on how to deliver quality homes on day one of the event. Joanne Wade, Chief Executive at the Association for the Conservation of Energy, will also be hosting a session – named “A genuinely low-carbon housing stock: pipe-dream or industry blueprint?”, it will explore whether there are many barriers to transforming existing homes and if the UK is ready to renovate.

Other districts include District Energy, Infrastructure, Timber, Concrete, Offsite, Green & Blue Infrastructure and Energy & HVAC.

You can register for a free ticket at www.ecobuild.co.uk/register.