The prefabAUS Conference: From concept to creation
A behind the scenes look at Australia’s leading construction conference
Just like our industry, the prefabAUS Conference is growing every year. Since the inaugural event in 2014, the prefabAUS Conference has evolved into Australia’s premier building conference, attracting industry leaders, keynote speakers and construction enthusiasts from around the world. The prefabAUS 2018 Conference has been more than 12 months in the making – and, with just a few months left to go, we’ve entered peak preparation mode.
In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes of the prefabAUS Conference and explain how we execute this event from concept to creation. We’ll share details of the venue, the program and, most importantly, the people who make this incredible event possible.
The prefabAUS Conference venue
The prefabAUS Conference is taking place in Brisbane this year, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC). While brilliant spring weather is always a bonus, we chose Brisbane as the location for 2018 based on more than the promise of blue skies. Brisbane’s built environment has flourished in recent years, with new developments shaping the city. This has been paralleled by major construction industry growth, with many companies basing their offices in Brisbane. After four years of hosting in Melbourne and Sydney, Brisbane was an obvious choice for this year’s event. We want to be where our audience is growing and give everyone a chance to get involved.
When it came time to select a venue, we considered several options within Brisbane, but BCEC couldn’t be beaten. BCEC is Australia’s most awarded convention centre with 165 industry awards. It is also recognised for its commitment to sustainability, boasting EarthCheck Gold accreditation – the deal clincher for our environmentally conscious team.
BCEC is a world-class venue, and we can’t wait to welcome you in September. If you’re lucky enough to secure a ticket, the official Conference networking function will held at the equally esteemed Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), which is walking distance from BCEC.
The prefabAUS Conference program
Innovation is a core value of prefabAUS, and we pride ourselves on creating an action-packed program of hot topics, sought-after speakers and fresh perspectives every year.
We start planning our program more than 12 months ahead, by mapping out key concepts and potential speakers. This year, we were blown away by the ground-breaking work of international company, Sidewalk Labs. In particular, their Toronto waterfront project, Sidewalk Toronto, stood out for its forward-thinking urban design and use of new digital technology. On that note, we’re thrilled to confirm Karim Khalifa from Sidewalk Labs as our International Keynote Speaker.
As well as industry trends and innovators, the prefabAUS program is largely shaped by you – our audience. Every year we seek input via a post-Conference survey, and we work hard to bring you the speakers you want to see. We’re honoured to have George Konstandakos and Simonne Bailey from Lendlease joining us this year, with more speakers announced as the Conference draws closer. We can’t reveal all our secrets just yet. What we can promise is that this year’s program is our best yet.
The people who make it all possible
As one of Australia’s biggest building conferences, you might be surprised to learn there’s a small team powering prefabAUS. The prefabAUS Conference is coordinated by our CEO and Events Executive, with invaluable input from our Board. As well as gearing up for 2018, the team are already preparing for 2019 and 2020. In fact, the 2019 location and date will be announced at the Conference in September, which shows just how organised our people are. But we don’t do it alone.
Our team is supported by a host of amazing partners, exhibitors and members, all committed to advancing our industry and creating the best possible Conference experience. However, it’s you, the attendees, who make the prefabAUS Conference truly special. You are the ones who contribute to discussions, provide feedback and help shape this outstanding event. So, thank you, from everyone here at prefabAUS. We’ll see you BCEC on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 September.
Make the most of your Conference experience
The key to a successful Conference experience is to get involved as much as you can. There will be a Conference app, proudly partnered by Cbus Super, which will allow you to connect with other delegates, exhibitors and partners ahead of the event. Look out for release details in the weeks leading up to the Conference. At the Conference, be bold. The prefabAUS Conference will be host to hundreds of industry leaders, so take the opportunity to introduce yourself. The prefabAUS Conference has kickstarted countless partnerships, collaborations and business relationships – and they all started with one conversation. Who knows who you’ll meet at this year’s event?
Still haven’t booked your Conference ticket? Register now to secure your place.
To learn more about the prefabAUS 2018 Conference, visit www.prefabaus.org.au/conference-2018/.
For specific Conference queries, including more information on how to become a partner or exhibitor, contact Brooke Adams, National Events Executive, on 0466 247 724 or email brooke.adams@prefabaus.org.au.
If you enjoyed this blog post, please share and spread the word about the prefabAUS Conference.
