b'2020 BUILDINGS WEEKGOING ONLINE WITH 2020 BUILDINGS WEEKLARGEST VIRTUAL EVENT FOR CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY By Matthew BradfordTHE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYIt featured over 120 online seminars, The sheer breadth of content from MAY HAVE PUT FACE-TO-FACE30 demonstrations, 20 workouts, our sponsored demonstrations and conferences on hold, but the 202015 food and beverage tutorials, informative webinars is noteworthy, says Buildings Week proved there are still10 partner events, and three social hoursBarnes. A highlight for our team was that effective ways to connect. Held onlinewith two live entertainment actsall ofat the end of the day, this event brought from November 30 to December 4,which remain available for viewing online exhibitors, attendees and speakers the event united over 6,000 design,(www.thebuildingsshow.com). together for an interactive social hour with construction and real estate professionalslive music, opportunities for face-to-face for five days of virtual panels,Although the event is officially over, ournetworking, and connecting with new presentations, exhibits and more aimedcontent remains available until the end ofpeople as well as established clients.at helping the sector tackle currentthe year on-demand, notes Barnes. This challenges and thrive in the days ahead. means that participants can continue toGoing online allowed Informa to search and view the exhibitors that meetintroduce several new and innovative Many of our events were the first totheir professional needs in construction,perks for attendees. For one, the online experience the impact of the pandemichomebuilder and renovator, concrete andplatforms AI-driven matchmaking and moved swiftly towards digital,property management. connected colleagues and clients across says Lisa Barnes, director building andthe industry, while virtual networking construction Canada, IDS Toronto, withFILLING THE DAYSlounges and breakout sessions kept Informa, the events organizers. OurThe 2020 Buildings Week kicked offthe conversation flowing throughout the primary goals with Buildings Week werewith a keynote talk from Geoff Smith,show. The ability to virtually participate in to create awareness, build a 365-onlinechief executive officer, EllisDon, whovarious panel discussions also brought community that showcases both brands,unique insights and questions to the expand beyond our traditional audienceoffered his perspective on the currenttable. At the same time, front-seat and geographical boundaries, andindustry landscape and its prospectsaccess to keynote speakers and expert increase engagement before, during andmoving forward. Online participants werepresentations kept each session engaging after the event.then invited to log in to a wide array ofand interactive.interactive sessions and roundtables Much like Informas yearly in-personcovering topics ranging from innovation inFrom my point of view, Buildings Week iterations, 2020s digital version wasarchitecture to construction sustainability,was well organized given the need comprised of The Buildings Show/ emergency preparedness to talentto have a virtual event as a result of Construct Canada, PM Expo, HomeBuildermanagement, biophilic design to socialthe COVID pandemic and to keep the & Renovator Expo, World of Concreteequality, health and well-being in post- annual industry event alive, notes Brian Toronto Pavilion, and BUILDEX Alberta. pandemic spaces, and beyond. Endacott, TCAs 2020 chairman. From 18Quarter 4 2020 BUILDERSDIGEST'