The built environment is ever changing, constantly shifting as the requirements of the population continue to flux and we all move towards a more digitally enabled life. Technology continues to change the way we live and work, and advances in technology are more rapid than ever. Keeping pace with the latest innovations is a huge task, and understanding which new technologies and processes represent real value is an even bigger task.

The AECO industries, and all the industries that service the built environment are now being pushed into the 21^st century and beyond and being tasked with adopting technologies from AI all the way through to robotics.  But why?

With the UK government pushing a spotlight on the industry by launching the Construction Sector Deal in July this year, there is a key focus on pushing BIM ideologies and processes, and utilisation of technology to deliver government infrastructure projects efficiently, safely and on budget, while for the private sector using construction tech to streamline operations, improve productivity and profitability – there is no denying the UK’s AECO industries are at the beginnings of a renaissance.

This is not a trend limited to the UK either, governments and developers globally are tasking construction giants, and tech providers to push the boundaries of possibility to deliver projects to plan, with amazing outcomes that are providing buildings and infrastructure that are more efficient, intuitive and resilient for their residents and users than ever before. Technology is changing the way we plan and construct buildings, how we then interact with them, and how we maintain them.

But how does this high-level government policy and future facing thinking affect someone working in the built environment today, here and now? Let’s bring this into every day thinking… How would you know where to start with implementing technology into your business? And, if you’re already down the path of implementing new technologies and processes, how do you know they are providing true return on investment, and transforming your business into a digitised, efficient operation?

This is why Digital Construction Week (DCW) was created. DCW is a trade exhibition and conference that brings together industry innovators, solution providers and influencers, and presents it as free to attend event for all levels and disciplines in the AECO industries to attend. With a key focus on providing real-world case studies of best practice and innovation through talks and workshops, and demonstrating how technology is shaping a new path for the AECO industries and built environment across an expo floor, there is exhibitors, content, speakers and networking opportunities for all.

Oliver Hughes, Partner and Co-Director at DCW says “We have worked over multiple years to bring together a unique and esteemed group of innovators, that are working directly in the built environment, for government or for tech companies, all of whom are striving to shake up the industry and improve the way we construct by utilising technology and are pushing towards a truly digitised industry. They are keen to share their knowledge and real-world experiences to further the industry”.

Luke Collings, Partner & Co-Director at DCW also says “We have made the event free to attend and crammed it full of features, talks and solution providers, as we want it to be a ‘not to be missed’ event for the AECO industries – the purpose of this event is to provide a platform for thought sharing, learning and networking, and to provide visitors the opportunity to interact with some pretty amazing technology”.

DCW will return for its fourth year in 2018 on the 17th and 18th October at London ExCel. The Exhibition features over 150 hours seminars and workshops, across multiple stages focusing on: Business Transformation, Visualisation, BIM, Geospatial, Industry 4.0 and many more; plus featuring more than 150 of the most exciting tech companies shaking up the industry.

So, here’s a rundown of what you can expect at #DCW2018

The DCW Leadership Conference Running alongside the main free to attend exhibition, is a pay to attend conference, providing two days of talks that will focus on industry transformation and the innovative technologies and processes that are changing the built environment. With limited tickets sold, and exclusive presentations from BEIS and the Construction Leadership Council focussing on the Construction Sector Deal and Industrial Strategy – the conference is a true snapshot of current industry trends, and a look to the future.  Sessions across the two days of the conference will explore industry digitisation, manufacturing, and through life performance.

Recently announced Challenge Director for the £170m UK Research and Innovation ‘Transforming Construction Challenge’ Sam Stacey, will lead a panel alongside Dr Diana Montgomery, Dr Jennifer Schooling & Dr Jozef Dobos discussing how the transforming construction challenge will affect the industry. Mark Enzer will also be discussing the Centre for Digital Built Britain’s (CDBB) long term strategy in his opening keynote, followed by our exclusive in conversation with CDBB session where you’ll have the chance to hear from and pose your questions to CDBB Deputy Director, Alexandra Bolton, Mark Enzer, Jennifer Schooling, David Philp, and Amelia Burnett.

There is also an impressive line-up of special guests and tech pioneers, including: Dev Amratia, CEO of nPlan & Author of the UK Government’s AI strategy; Kevin Blankespoor, VP of Product Engineering at Boston Dynamics; Sakthy Selvakumaran, Civil Engineer and PhD Researcher at the University of Cambridge, and many more.

The DCW Expo features over 150 Industry leading companies such as BAM, Bluebeam, Topcon, PlanGrid, ARUP, Kier, Trimble and HP who will be showcasing their latest and greatest technologies and solutions, and providing the opportunity to get hands on and test out their products for real world use. Expect to see robotics, AR, VR, AI & Machine Learning, laser scanning, Drones & UAV’s, smart materials, collaborative tools and much more.

Esri will be running their ‘Geospatial Bootcamp’ across both days of the event – free to attend, these crash courses in spatial analysis technology will give any user the foundation knowledge needed for mapping and geospatial analysis, and the opportunity to ask questions and understand how this tech can be used from the design phase all the way through to operation.

There will also be multiple exclusive features, including the DCW Onsite Arena, powered by Bluebeam. This is a DCW and industry event first and will give visitors the opportunity to do a live walk around of a construction site, set-up within the exhibition space. Visitors will be able to check out live demos and get hands on with drones, robotics, augmented reality and onsite tech, to see how it can assist with their day to day work onsite.

Returning for this year is the Drone Racing, which is a much-loved spectacle at DCW. The competition is open to all, and visitors get to have a go flying a mini drone, there’s a top gear style leader board and the winner takes home a trophy at the end of day two. There is also plenty of opportunity to wind down and have a chat, with a Networking Drinks sponsored by Nemetschek held at the end of day one.

New for this year is the Business Transformation Hub sponsored by Egnyte, focusing on supporting business to implement technology, to improve internal and external project collaboration, productivity and ultimately profitability. The Skills Hub, in partnership with CITB is a workshop and seminar theatre that is aimed at supporting businesses to upskill and train their current workforce to utilise new technologies and processes, as well as how do attract young people into their business with apprenticeships – often for roles that are very new, or not even around yet due to rapidly changing technologies.

Last, but not least, the team at DCW are proud to announce the launch of the Digital Construction Awards in association with UK BIM Alliance. Being held at the Crystal Building in East London (very near the ExCeL) on the 17^th of October. The awards will be recognising the most pioneering projects, teams, and individuals championing innovation and technology in the built environment.  The awards audience will be celebrating the most forward-thinking firms, individuals, and project teams working in the built environment whether at the bleeding edge or exploring digital technologies and processes for the first time.

The awards are open to the entire industry. With nine prestigious categories, it is an opportunity showcase the outstanding work of individuals and teams over the past 12 months.

Digital Construction Week aims to help the industry understand the value of innovation and technology and provides a platform for all levels and disciplines in AECO to come together to share insight, discuss and recognise how technology and the people utilising it are delivering a better built environment.

To be kept up to date with the latest exhibitors, speakers and seminars, and to register for a free to attend ticket, or for more information about sponsoring or exhibiting at DCW 2018 please visit the website: www.digitalconstructionweek.com  or follow them on social media @DigiConWeek #DCW2018

For more information on the awards and the categories open for entry, visit www.digitalconstructionawards.com