“Forum for discussion and exchange of ideas.”
One of the longest established, UK-wide networking groups for property, construction and development professionals has announced its first ever national conference in Birmingham from 15th – 16th May 2014.
Forum for the built environment (fbe) will bring together expert panels and speakers for the two day event, which is being held at the Forest of Arden, a Marriott Hotel and Country Club. Designed to encourage greater collaboration within the wider construction industry, fbe anticipates over 400 members and guests will attend the conference.
“Fbe has a broad base of professionals across its 28 branches, all involved in significant construction and development projects throughout the UK,” said Howard Gadd, fbe’s national chairman. “By hosting a national conference, we hope to harness and celebrate this expertise; providing a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas, resulting in strengthening our connections nationwide.”
Thursday 15th May will see delegates benefit from a packed programme of speakers, representing some of the industry’s most influential businesses including Aedas, Balfour Beatty and Provelio as well as higher education establishments such as Coventry University and the University of Wolverhampton. The conference programme has an overall emphasis on adding value and will focus on winning work; building business through social media and maximising the benefits of BS11000, the British Standard framework for collaborative business relationships. The afternoon session will address some of the industry’s current ‘hot topics’ e.g. the skills gap and BIM, the latter debate being led by Mark Bew MBE, chairman of the UK government BIM group. Master of Ceremonies is Ian Irving.
In the evening, guests will be welcomed at the chairman’s cocktail party before a three course dinner and awards presentation, recognising the best public and private sector projects completed in the last year as well as the most innovative scheme. Comedian, Paddy Lennox will provide after-dinner entertainment and a collection will be donated to Wooden Spoon, the chairman’s chosen charity.