Last month, the ExCeL Centre in London played host to the latest edition of the EcoBuild show. Brexit’s impact on construction was one of the main topics of the show, as well as air-pollution and green infrastructure.
EcoBuild is pitched as the UK’s leading exhibition and conference for construction, design and energy in the sustainable built environment, appealing to construction suppliers as well as forward-thinking professionals in the sector.
While the exhibition side of the show is sizeable, at 450 exhibitors in 2017 – including the likes of Eurotec, the show’s conference element is just as significant, with over 300 speakers taking part in debate and sharing opinion.
‘Improving energy efficiency in non-Domestic buildings’, ‘Tools and technology to improve energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings’ and ‘How technology, data and digital disruption will transform non-domestic buildings’ were among the topics discussed this year.
Timber focus in new showcase district
EcoBuild’s next show will continue to keep the Conference area at the heart of the show following its acquisition by Futurebuild Events. Under new ownership, the event will continue to put sustainability firmly at the forefront of the agenda, continuing its sustainability campaign through the coming year, culminating in the conference itself.
The show’s Design & Build district will again showcase the latest construction materials, products and technologies, showcasing leading brands across windows, doors, roofing, cladding, insulation, surfaces, BIM and more. Exhibitors, delegates and visitors will be encouraged to look beyond the construction and design of buildings to consider the wellbeing agenda across new build, refurb and retrofit projects. The district will also include the UK’s largest gathering of international pavilions, reinforcing the show’s global appeal.
Timber will be the focus of a new showcase district, addressing the versatility and significant health and wellbeing properties of wood. A dedicated series of timber masterclasses will highlight how the industry is developing solutions in response to the growing housing crisis, while the Buyers Forum will connect timber manufacturers/suppliers with key buyers and specifiers.
Discussing the future of the event, EcoBuild MD Martin Hurn said: “What we learnt in the lead up to the 2017 event is that it’s just as much about the way we innovate, the materials we use and the processes we put in place as it is about the industry’s behaviour towards sustainability. That’s why for next year’s event we’re focusing both on innovation and the materials that can be used to create a more sustainable built environment, while also showing live installations and demonstrations of the ways in which we use them. We have plenty more features in the pipeline, and are keen to discuss and develop with our partners and stakeholders across the industry.”
A 2018 Corporate Advisory Board has been set up to help steer the show, involving select partners and key stakeholders. Eco-Build will return to ExCeL London, 6-8 March 2018. ecobuild.co.uk