The North’s new event for digital construction debuts with resounding success, welcoming nearly 1,000 attendees to Manchester Central
The North’s built environment community flocked to Manchester Central last week on Wednesday 13 November for the first-ever edition of Digital Construction North.
The new event has been hailed as a huge success, attracting 950 attendees from across architecture, engineering, construction and operations. They came together to explore the latest advancements in the field, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration.
“Fresh ideas shaping the future of the built environment”
Highlights from the day included an opening Keynote panel discussion with Sagal Rooble, Digital Strategy Coordinator at Chetwoods; Dale Sinclair, Head of Digital Innovation at WSP; Alistair Kell, CIO at BDP; and Laura Brown, Head of Digital Construction at Bowmer + Kirkland. They took to the stage in front of a packed Auditorium to share their experiences and highlight the key innovations that will determine the future of the built environment.
The bustling exhibition featured over 30 brands demonstrating the latest advancements for AECO. Visitors met face-to-face with the teams from 1Breadcrumb, AtkinsRéalis, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Bluebeam, Causeway Technologies, Egnyte, HammerTech Nialli, OpenSpace, Procore, Revizto, Sablono, and more.
Genesis Manao, Digital Technician at McLaughlin & Harvey, who visited the show, comments: “It was inspiring to see so many new innovations and fresh ideas shaping the future of the built environment.”
“Engaging and thought-provoking presentations”
It was standing room only throughout most of the day at the show’s four theatres. Attendees were immersed in hot topics including information management, BIM, AI integration, and sustainability.
Lilian Ho, Senior BIM Manager / Digital Lead at AECOM, gave one of the day’s most-popular talks on the power of BIM data and AI. She says: “As the very last speaker at the event, I thought everyone would have gone home by then, but it turned out to be a full house! Some even told me they came specifically to see me and waited for my presentation. There were lots of great questions and people were eager to hear my views and vision which was just incredible.”
Visitor Estevao Hayworth, DPS Engineer at BAM Construction, describes it as a “brilliant event,” and reports the talks “provided food for thought to help drive improvements within my job.”
“A real educational opportunity,” agrees Panos Stavrakakis, Sector Manager – Construction and Build Environment at HSE Science and Research Centre.
“A great opportunity to connect”
Networking was also high on the agenda at Digital Construction North, with sessions hosted by Women in BIM and nima drawing crowds to the Meeting Hub.
The day concluded with Happy Hour networking drinks, where visitors had the chance to raise a (complimentary) glass with connections old and new.
Cameron Martin, Structural Engineering Technician at Stockport Council, praises it as a “great opportunity to connect with many different professions and individuals who are helping shape the future of construction through innovative technology.”
"An event for the industry to be proud of!"
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the event’s organisation, content-rich agenda, and its role in advancing the digital transformation conversation for AECO in the North.
"It was fantastic to see the North getting some well-deserved attention in the digital construction space. The energy and insights were inspiring, and it was great to catch up with some familiar faces,” says Dominic Sibbring, Managing Director at Digital Engineering Studio.
Catriona MacKinnon, Principal Digital MEP Coordinator at Pick Everard, comments: “I can sometimes feel overwhelmed in this ever-evolving digital world and it’s good to come together with other industry professionals and learn about their experiences and feelings towards the future and AI. The general take away is a feeling of embracing the change but not forgetting about the basics.”
Will Robertshaw, Geospatial and AI Engineer at Ramboll, says: “It was fantastic to attend the first Digital Construction North in my own back garden of Manchester! It is truly a fantastic event for professionals at all levels.”
Adam Booth, BIM Engineer at William Hare Group, describes it simply as “an event for the industry to be proud of!”
For more information about Digital Construction North, visit:
www.digitalconstructionnorth.com
Register your interest for Digital Construction Week 2025
The resounding success of Digital Construction North has set the stage for the 10th anniversary edition of its sister show, Digital Construction Week.
Celebrate a decade of DCW at ExCeL London from 4-5 June 2025. Get ahead, and register your interest by visiting:
www.digitalconstructionweek.com/register-your-interest
For further information, please contact:�
Grace Donnelly, Senior Marketing Manager�
t: +44 (0)1273 916523�
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Email Contact�
Ollie Hughes, Founder & Event Director�
t: +44 (0)1273 645154��
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Email Contact�
