In this session we bring together delegates in a series of facilitated round table discussions. Leading industry experts will kick off discussions with a 5-minute TED talk on disruption around the key theme of their session, before opening it to a table wide interactive discussion.
Roundtable 1: How equipment hire can benefit the future of construction and reduce disruption?
A circular economy aims to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption while enabling economic growth. This concept is not new, and the equipment hire industry has been doing this for over 50 years. Hire can also assist the construction industry with their sustainability and net zero goals, as well as provide economic, environmental and safety benefits – which is why hire is the solution for the future of construction.
Led by: James Oxenham, CEO, HRIA and George Whyte, Managing Director, Aggreko APAC and Dan Goodfellow, Group Manager – Products, Coates
Roundtable 2: Examining how to best modernise your construction business with Industrial and Connected Private Networks
In this session we discuss how Industrial Networks will transform and support construction as well as drive numerous Industry 4.0 initiatives. Industrial Networks (including 5G) is key in unlocking the potential of smart construction and accelerating data-driven digital transformation. Discover how Industrial Networks can help by enabling a safer and more secure worksite, reduce risk and liability and optimise resources.
Led by: Alan Seery, Managing Director, Aqura and Mitchell Gooden, General Manager, Aqura
Roundtable 3: Improving engagement between Constructors and their subbies
Through an analysis of the subcontractor perspectives during procurement and based on our survey data, we discuss insights including anecdotal commentary from subbies that have had both positive and negative experiences with builders during the procurement process. We will deep dive into issues such as ‘why subbies are reluctant to price for you and others with the aim of facilitating an interactive discussion that helps both sides to understand each other better and work towards having more productive relationships.
Led by: Michael Ashcroft, Director, EstimateOne
Roundtable 4: Balancing growth, technology and staying true to your construction roots
Join Andrew Deveson, Co-Founder and Director of Kapitol Group, for a no BS conversation about going out on your own, staying ahead of the curve and running a construction company. Hosted by CEO and Co-Founder of HammerTech, Ben Leach, this session aims to candidly discuss the challenges and reality of making it in construction no matter what business you are part of.
Led by: Ben Leach, CEO & Co-Founder, HammerTech and Andrew Deveson, Director, Kapitol Group
Roundtable 5: Change Management to prosper in the Construction Industry
Making the most of digital tools requires active acceptance and use by team members. Considering the perspectives of users when assessing potential technologies and articulating the benefits of transformation for all levels are critical to building enthusiasm for introducing new technologies. Importantly, businesses need to back this up with a solid change management strategy and plan. A well-developed change management program should skills development, transition support, clear communications of defined milestones and consistent tracking of success measures.
Led by: Sumit Oberoi, Industry Strategy Manager, Autodesk Construction Solutions (ACS)
Roundtable 6: How using practical digital processes can reduce costs and benefit Contractors and Clients on major infrastructure projects
Current DE, BIM and EIR standards and mandates may not be as useful to contractors due to their complexity and limited applicability. To address this, a roundtable will present successful implementations of digital tools and technologies like IFC standards, drones, and planning algorithms that have led to increased productivity and cost savings for Australian Tier 1 Contractors. The discussion will explore the potential for these solutions to be adopted by the entire supply chain.
Led by: Pieter Rautenbach, Infrastructure & Construction Manager, Deswik
Roundtable 7: How will the Construction Industry attract and enable the future generation of white collar professionals?
The Australian Constructors Association believe the biggest opportunity to disrupt the industry and improve productivity lies in fundamentally by improving how projects are procured, delivered and governed—essentially white-collar activities. “White collar occupations account for the majority of the construction industry’s 105,000 skills shortage estimated by mid-2023,” Jon Davies, ACA. If there are no changes within AEC we will struggle to find skilled workers as no-one wants to work in an inefficient industry where it affects their quality of life. How can we improve our industry to attract new talent?
Led by: Swain Johnson, ANZ MTWO Construction Cloud Sales Director, SoftwareONE
Roundtable 8: A practical guide for moving towards a Circular Economy in the built environment
Transitioning to a Circular Economy is a crucial next step if we’re to create a sustainable future for our planet. As more of us learn about circularity – and what it means for the built environment – we have a chance to create change and cut through any confusion together. In this discussion we examine what needs to be done to transition the built environment as we head towards zero carbon across the built world.
Led by: Haneen Jaber, Sustainability and Social Impact Lead, Victoria, Built
Roundtable 9: Disrupting culture
Everyone has a role to play in creating a new industry culture. But how do we establish a standard approach to improved practices for all industry stakeholders to meet? This roundtable will discuss the new construction industry Culture Standard including addressing the key areas of long working hours, lack of diversity and wellbeing.
Led by: Deb Cownley, Group Manager, John Holland Way and Project Manager, Construction Industry Culture Taskforce
Roundtable 10: Growing an agile and skilled workforce for the future
This roundtable will discuss how to create an agile workforce and supportive environment for workers and employers to develop skills and processes to address future needs for the industry while retaining and strengthening a company’s culture and direction.
Led by: Zoe Heinrichs, Manager Government Relations, Cbus Super Fund
Roundtable 11: Driving organisational accountability to increase EHSQ effectiveness
Join Zac Stollznow, Construction Industry Lead from HSI Donesafe, as he guides discussion surrounding the “decision paralysis” facing modern construction organisations and the role that technology can play in having a unified view of your universe of EHS and ESG data. The discussion will also look at driving board-level visibility of EHS, ESG, compliance & risk state of play as well as accelerating the speed to decision with a unified view of workplace risk and compliance and strategically reducing technology siloes.
Led by: Zac Stollznow, Senior Account Executive, Donesafe
Roundtable 12: Effectively dealing with disruption
In this discussion we look at what are the most important things to focus on and invest in to build organisational resilience. Whether it be your people or tech, managing the fundamentals can prepare you to navigate adversity. At a time of unprecedented disruption across the industry, we look at managing the fundamentals, your clients and stakeholders and what can improve relationships and build resilience in tough times.
Led by: Jillian Formentin, Engineering Director, Clough
Roundtable 13: Examining construction contracting organisational dynamics
In this discussion we examine the potential strategies to minimise the industry’s inherent chaos to provide value to the project owner while making the construction contractor more resilient. The conversation will centre on best operational practices for contractors – main and sub.
Led by: Matt Stevens, Lecturer in Construction Management, University of Western Sydney
Roundtable 14: Disruption and change management best practice
This roundtable will discuss how to create an agile workforce and supportive environment for workers and employers to develop skills and processes to address future needs for the industry while retaining and strengthening a company’s culture and direction.
Led by: Mimi Lee, Head of Transformation & Change Management ANZ, Cognizant