Agenda

What is the job of a leader now? As we are faced with some core challenges and opportunities, it’s time for the new leader to be brought to the table. Hear from a true leader who provides inspiration and motivation to its people and how you can positively create change in every facet of your organisation.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand the new role of servant leadership in the construction industry
• Find inspiration to be a leader, beyond just management
• Learn methodical approaches to bring your people together

Construction is in the tsunami of change, from the digital transformation to the gender pay gap reporting. Changes are happening at a radical pace, so how do you keep ahead of the curve to ensure that your people and business is not only surviving but thriving in the midst of change. Hear from an experienced leader sharing their expertise and unique insight on how to effectively reshape culture to become a hub of inclusive innovation breaking boundaries.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn the initial steps of organisational change
• Understand methods to assess internal cultures - the dos & the don’ts
• Learn first hand, proven approaches to reshaping internal culture

Technology and the wider digital transformation is an inescapable force, advancing through every industry and business. There may have been some resistance and hesitation, however, construction is now in the position where it is being pulled into the digital pathway with no escape. In this session, you’ll hear practical business approaches to understand the opportunities available for our projects and our people.

Key takeaways include: 

• Uncover a variety of adoption methods to identify what is right for you and your people
• Learn to identify business opportunities with the latest advancements
• Understand strategies to ensure you're not left behind 

In this session, learn how to strategise diversity and inclusion to effectively integrate it across your business. Engaging in D&I is more than a box-ticking exercise or having a 1 hour monthly training session, it needs to become part of your corporate DNA. Hear from a current leader sharing first-hand case studies on how to effectively engage everyone, position this to the majority and successfully make D&I a core aspect of their business.

Key takeaways include: 

• Hear from first-hand case studies on how to present this change management project to everyone
• Understand methods to positively engage everyone on their level. 
• Understand how to position inclusion as a core business aspect

The endless reports of diversity and inclusion in the workplace has showcased over and over again the true power and abundant opportunities available through prioritising D&I. It’s crucial to have a level of awareness of your people, your projects and your clients to effectively position D&I. Not everyone is an ambassador or advocate, but everyone wants to see where they work to succeed in all senses. Join this session to understand how you can reposition the approach for business growth beyond what you know.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to reposition your understanding of business growth to review all avenues
• Understand how to raise the level of awareness
• See how D&I can be an opportunity, not an obligation 

As we continue to serve and build for the communities around us, it’s crucial to understand the role of diversity, not only within your business but the impact it has on your projects. As we move into a more globalised world, it’s crucial to understand how true diversity and inclusion will serve the built environment in a better light.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand the power of diversity of thought - for your people and your projects
• Learn how to identify and engage untapped talent, internally & externally
• Understand the true impact on the communities we’re serving

What does it mean to you to be successful? Are you successful? Join this session to learn first-hand approaches to redefine what it means to be successful in the construction industry. It's time to break down the traditional images of success to ensure we're writing our own rules of success.

Key takeaways include:

• Redefine how you view what ‘success’ means 
• Learn how to identify ‘small wins’ with yourself and your people
• Develop daily steps to continually push for success

We all know that not everyone, barely all of us, has a clear details plan or roadmap of what our dream life and job looks like. However, we are all continuously building towards our dream job and it’s important to be able to identify which experiences and opportunities propel us forward, or keep us stagnant. Hear from an empowering leader sharing steps you can take to be on a continuous road of development, without necessarily knowing how long it’ll take to get there.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn to identify opportunities that either help or hinder your development
• Learn how to create these opportunities and experiences for yourself
• Learn how to leave behind the same opportunities as you had for those coming into the industry

As an industry that is slowly but surely waking up to the importance of inclusivity and diversity, it is comforting to know that we are moving in the right direction. We are moving towards the industry, where you don't have to put on your 'corporate' face, or your 'banter' to simply do the job. Sandra will share some of their key steps to keep thriving in a world where you wouldn't usually survive.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to identify and nurture your true authentic self
• Identify methods to build confidence in your authenticity & expertise
• Understand how to use your authenticity to push you forward

Our industry is one of the hardest-hit industries facing the skilled labour shortage. As the need for greater infrastructure, the built environment and better approaches to the climate emergency, it’s crucial to repaint our industry to not only recruit but retain the increasingly diverse workforce in America. Join this speaker to understand how to effectively engage your business beyond stand diversity efforts, but become a beacon of where the younger generation wish to work.

Key takeaways include:

• Find inspiration and best practice to widen your perspectives on the skilled labour shortage
• Hear proven approaches to assess your business to effectively welcome & nurture diversity
• Understand how to positively implement inclusivity to close your labour gap

As companies grow and enter the global playing field, it's crucial to develop diversity strategies to open your business to the wider world. During this session, a global leader will showcase how to rethink your business as a globalised company effectively approaching diversity. Learn how to navigate cultural sensitivities & diversity to enable American businesses to get ahead of the game.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand the role of diversity in widening your impact - for your people & projects
• Learn to spot global trends that can elevate your business to the global playing field
• Learn proven methods to identify potential exclusionary behaviours that are holding you back

While developing your skillset to become an industry expert, you are laying the foundations of your entrepreneurial spirit. When considering starting a company and by being an expert, this positions and puts you ahead of the game in ways you wouldn't have imagined.

Key takeaways include:

• Identify personal approaches to become deeply involved with the industry
• Learn how to effectively engage with the media to showcase your expertise
• Understand how to continuously develop your expertise

In this session, learn from first-hand founder experiences of how to effectively and realistically move into the world of leadership. It's one thing to be a manager who directs & delegates, but it's a different ball game when becoming a true leader, to provide inspiration to your business and the wider industry.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to reposition the role and responsibility of a true leader
• Understand proven personal approaches to enhance yourself from a manager to a leader
• Learn the benefits of being a true leader when starting your company

Some say that founders are born, but in reality, we know some founders are grown. You may have had a lightbulb moment with a unique idea, you may have your support system pushing you to explore setting up your own business. Join this session to understand the how's, the where's, the when's of how to effectively set up your business.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn the initial steps you need to take to start your business
• Learn resilient mechanisms to overcome the road bumps and failures
• Identify supporters & allies that will pull you and your business up

Details coming soon...

As an industry that creates physical impact with the world around us, can we say we are creating an impact with those around us? By empowering women and removing the narrative that construction is a man’s world, the current generations of women can continue to expand into all levels of organizations to make a lasting impact in the industry. In this session, hear how Susan has effectively created a long-lasting impact throughout her career and continue to do so...

Key takeaways include:

• Identify where and how you have impact - from the projects you work on to the people you work with
• Learn how to elevate your expertise and leverage your position to create greater impact
• Understand the legacy you will leave - be a true inspirator for those coming in

The path to major projects become more and more illuminated with the variety & sizes of projects we’re seeing across the industry. You may have experience in designing a 200 person office or engineering a 10-mile railroad, but now looking into the world of major projects, What would be the first step you take? In this session, you’ll hear first-hand experiences and insight on how you can take the crucial steps needed to develop yourself to take the leap into major projects.

It can be said the way we create & build industry relationships is more combative than collaborative due to high costs and small margins. We're in a high-risk industry with low margins, rising costs, a skill shortage. What does this mean for contractors & how will it affect the project team. Join this session to understand how you can turn often combative relationships into a more collaborative one without risking the delivery of the project.

Key takeaways include: 

• Identify ways to assess the current state & nature of your project relationship
• Learn how to understand the needs & challenges of everyone involved in the project
• Learn how to elevate your communication to be more collaborative

Delivering on time and on a budget is a challenge on almost every project across the board. As productivity within the industry remains at a stagnant level, how can we take public and private projects to the next level to ensure we’re delivering on time without risking our employees' wellbeing? In this session, you'll learn from an empowering leader disrupting the norm about how we can address some of the biggest challenges we encounter on projects, tips to spot initial errors & how to deliver without sacrifice.

Key takeaways include: 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the project cycle to spot and pre-empt risks/changes
• Understand how to leverage the diversity of thoughts & perspectives to elevate the project cycle
• Develop adaptable practices within each part of the cycle to meet the changing needs of the project

"Identifying and understanding the risks in a project contract is the first step to negotiating a fair and balanced agreement. Projects can succeed or fail as a direct result of the terms and conditions agreed to by the parties. Learning effective contract negotiation can protect you and your team against time-consuming and costly claims disputes. In this session, Susan will share insight and first-hand experiences on the key clauses for various tiers and delivery methods.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand risk allocation in construction contracts
• Identify key clauses that may affect your organization’s risks
• Develop successful negotiation strategies to effectively negotiate a balanced contract

Safety has long been at the heart of employee-focused organizations. From achieving compliance with regulations and standards to more advance methods that tackle human behaviour and performance. Injury and fatality rates have historically declined for decades. But something is changing, and our approach to keeping employees and the public safe needs to adjust. Shelley will explore how diversifying safety assures the workforce of the future. 

Key takeaways include:

• Expand your understanding of how demographic changes are influencing our ability to keep the workforce safe.
• Learn to consider the limitations of existing safety practices and the possibilities for designing a safer future.
• Understand how to examine specific workplace scenarios where demographic shifts prevent the advancement of "0 Incident" philosophies. 

In this session, a disruptive speaker will break down the idea that building regulations will actually deliver safer buildings. We'll uncover additional steps you can take to ensure your delivering safer, higher-quality buildings that regulations may not have kept up with.

The immediate environment has a huge impact on any individual’s mindset. As more and more shocking figures highlight the dangers of not prioritising wellbeing & overall health on our sites, it’s time to ensure we are pushing this to the forefront of our overall discussion of inclusivity. Join this fireside chat to hear how two different leaders are approaching the issue of wellbeing and how they are positively delivering this on sites across America

As we move into the world of action, having diversity within your organisation is just one bump in the long journey of true inclusivity. So now, you’ve effectively brought in all diversity strands, have you effectively reviewed and critically analysed your internal workplace cultures? Join this workshop to understand how to practical approaches you can move your business into the next phase of true inclusivity.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to practically review your internal workplace cultures
• Learn how to approach inclusivity as a change management project
• Understand how to get everyone involved in the change.

"Hear from an empowering leader sharing their best practice on what the crucial steps are to ensure your team is fully equipped to keep up and flourish within a transforming industry landscape. In this interactive seminar, you'll gain a deeper understanding of development strategies to help your employees prepare for an evolving role and industry.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn proven methods to assess the current skill set of your employees
• Learn how to curate multiple development strategies for your employees
• Identify and prepare for the skills that we will need in the future

Every organisation is looking for the best people to do the job, looking for that person to take their sales and innovation to the next level. But just imagine, if organisations also prioritised the importance of creating the full-bodied professional champion. The champion who is excelling in their role, yet also becomes the natural leader by disrupting exclusionary practices. Join this interactive workshop to uncover methods your business can engage with to identify, nurture and support your champions.

Key takeaways include:

• Uncover ways to identify champions in your organisations
• Understand how you can effectively nurture those champions
• Understand how to develop a culture that naturally pushes for your employees to do more, to be more

"As we continue the plight for diversity and inclusion, it’s crucial to engage the males around. Inclusion is not only for those who fall under ‘diverse’ professionals but for everyone to be their authentic selves. Join this seminar to understand the steps you can take to engage with allies around you to find the right kind of support.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to identify allies in your workplace
• Understand effective approaches to raising the issues and opportunities of inclusion
• Learn how to rally together to create real change

Success hinges on embracing and owning the many roles our industry challenges us to play each day. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss how the occasions to assume titled and untitled responsibilities are going to highlight you above your peers while building the confidence that makes you a more effective manager.

Key takeaways include:

• How to identify and leverage the many hats we’re given to wear each day.
• How to build a consistent reputation while switching between tasks and untitled roles.
• How to define your personal motivation to stay focused and centred on your core values.

Details coming soon....

What are your first thoughts when you think about emotional intelligence? Join this workshop to learn from Karen’s first hand insight and results of an emotional intelligence assessment, where we will zoom in in the components that impact how women show up as leaders – both their real leadership impact, and the perception of their impact by others. Karen will uncover how three particular attributes can help build a positive perception or how they can create obstacles when not in true balance with one another.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to build an awareness of what is emotional intelligence and how it relates to our effectiveness as leaders,
• Understand the three emotional intelligence attributes that most impact women in leadership roles, and
• Develop a deeper understanding of our own EQ and specific tools to help us elevate and grow in our leadership impact

What does it mean to be a leader now? The modern 21st-century leader is constantly evolving, learning and listening. You don't have to be at the top of the hierarchy to be a leader within your business. In this seminar, we'll run through some core aspects of how you can lead laterally.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to identify opportunities to empower your position within your organisation
• Understand how to gain endorsement for your ideas
• Learn how to influence decision and change

Without negotiation skills, you might simply give in or give away more than was necessary. Authenticity and knowing your value is crucial in the world of negotiation, which is not limited to boardrooms or million-dollar deals - on any given day we are negotiating all the time. Learn how to build collaborative relationships as you successfully negotiate deals, disputes, new initiatives, and even a raise or promotion.

As the digital transformation is a challenge that we no longer have the option to put aside, it’s essential to understand how you can effectively move your business and yourself into the world of digital. Technology does not have to be feared, but it does have to be understood, to really uncover the abundant opportunities to push your business into the new digital age.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn the first steps you need to take before even thinking about reviewing the latest technologies
• Understand how to effectively review and benchmark your current employee's digital skills
• Learn how to positively take the leap into the digital world - your people and your projects

As we move into a digital world, a variety of information is becoming and needs to be digitised across the board. In this session, develop your knowledge and learn the key steps to identify, convert, classify and extract the right kind of data to push your business forward.

Key takeaway include:

• Learn the steps you need to take to understand what kind of data you currently have
• Identify methods to utilise this data to elevate the way you. Work
• Learn proven approaches to collect & analyse "new data" that comes in

Available technology for digital communication and data transfer has made a new type of business possible. Remote work has lowered the barrier to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs. However, this type of work comes with its own set of challenges and pitfalls. We will walk you through how to take advantage of the opportunities this digital world has made available and share how we have addressed the unique challenges it poses.

Key takeaways include:

• Essential steps to get a remote business off the ground
• Tools for building and maintaining a remote team 
• Methods for avoiding typical pitfalls of a small business

"There is increasing evidence that company diversity leads to higher profits. The two industries that Alice is part of (construction and finance) are two of the most male-dominated industries. As someone with an unconventional path to venture capital, she will demystify the process of starting up a technology company in the AEC space. Alice will discuss the fundraising process, how to pick team members and advisors, what an industry-focused venture capital firm looks for in startups, and share other words of advice when navigating the world of VC.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand the latest trends in the construction technology startup ecosystem
• Learn what is a venture capital and what types of companies should take venture capital
• Hear advice on starting a construction technology company in the AEC space

As we move into the world of action, it’s crucial to critically break down and understand the role of diversity, and more importantly inclusivity. Employing diverse professionals and fostering inclusivity, will not only increase productivity but innovation has a chance to excel. Hear best practice on how to harness the power of diversity, while continually pushing the boundaries of what is known.

Key takeaways include:

• Break down and understand the importance of fostering inclusivity for productivity - it’s more than hiring
• Learn how to ensure there is no “exclusion” through inclusion efforts - engaging the majority
• Understand the true power of inclusivity and diversity - diversity of thought, diversity of perspective

In the light of diversity challenges of the construction industry, we need to recognise men as allies being a crucial component of diversity and inclusion efforts. In this session, hear from an empowering leader that will showcase a multitude of ways for you to effectively engage with the males around you.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn methods to identify the potential allies and advocates in your business
• Understand different ways to engage them: advocacy, commercial benefits
• Understand the role of allies and how they will assist internally

"People's attitudes towards organisational change can be one of two extremes. For some, it fills employees with fear and the threatening feelings as they don't want to let go of what has always been. Then the complete opposite are those who fully embrace change wholeheartedly. So when pushing the D&I initiative, it's crucial to view it as an organisational change project to get all your employees on the same page. Join this session, hear from a motivating leader on how to effectively implement and feel the benefits of true diversity and inclusion. 

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to reposition D&I as an organisational change project
• Learn to identify those in the business who will full-heartedly welcome D&I to support your efforts
• Understand the different levels of engagement you can run with your employee

Construction needs to update and repaint its industry image. Inspiring the next generation is our shared responsibility, not just those in positions of power. We must be able to look within our ourselves, find the power and pull those behind me to be alongside me. Join this session to hear the importance of motivating yourself and colleagues to drive the industry's progression.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to identify your own successes to see a role model when looking in the mirror
• Learn personal methods to keep your motivation up to inspire those around you
• Identify ways to engage with your business to be a visible role model

Hear from two disruptive leaders sharing their first-hand experiences and business approaches that we can all engage with to effectively rewrite our future. With drastic changes on the horizon, it’s crucial for us to review and update how we work to ensure we’re not left behind when in the midst of change.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand your integral role in the narrative of change
• Learn how to engage in a variety of initiatives changing our industry for the better
• Identify the right network and support group to help you achieve your goals 

As you continue your climb up your career ladder, into the boardroom or whether your climb is lateral, it is critical as a diverse professional in the industry to continuously build your resilience. How can you effectively develop to overcome bias, misunderstanding or just old school thinking? In this session, our speaker will share their experiences of building their resilient leadership.

Key takeaways include: 

• Understand different approaches to building resilience - to make it personal to you
• Identify triggers in your career where resilience is tested
• Understand when the right time is to push your resilience

There are core differences between a manager and a leader, which we have experienced in some shape or form. Anyone can be a manager, but it takes something else to become a true leader. You don't have to be in power to be a leader. Join this session to hear the key steps you can take to positively influence those around you.

Key takeaways include:

• Understand the core differences of a manager and a leader - which are you to your team?
• Learn new methods to uncover your leadership skills
• Understand the importance of YOU when thinking of others

As our industry is continually facing more and more challenges, from our people to our projects, it’s time to push leaders into the critical limelight. As we move into a new decade, with critical needs from our society, the time for leaders to move into the world of positive change. Join this session to hear from an empowering leader sharing first-hand insight on steps you can take to elevate your leadership skills beyond the 21st century.

Key takeaways include:

• Learn how to identify the right form of leadership for yourself
• Understand the role of emotional IQ in leadership
• Learn the initial steps you need to take when elevating your leadership

The impact of not prioritising our plant is becoming so great that we can no longer avoid or hide from the drastic changes that impact us all. Construction plays a huge role, and has a responsibility with the growing concerns from our waste, production of materials, unattainable building methods and the list goes on. In this session, hear from a speaker to uncover steps your organisation can take to reduce our negative impact.

Key takeaways include:

• Identify approaches to assess the level and what type of impacts our construction creates
• Understand how to engage with the community around you to understand how to create future proof plans
• Learn how to create sustainable benchmarks for each project

Join this present and future thinking presentation to readjust our view on buildings and creating spaces. As we are moving into a more green, diverse future, we need to take a step back to review if the way we curate and design public spaces and cities is most beneficial for those who live there. In this session, you'll hear from a leading architect who will open our understanding and ensure that when we are building new buildings, we are creating physical spaces that is beneficial for ALL.

Key takeaways include: 

• Learn how to understand the needs of the community you're building for
• Understand how to weave this insight into the design phase
• Identify ways to develop your thinking to be more inclusive

The green shift is an essential concept that not only focuses on mitigating environmental issues but also focuses on optimising the socio-economic benefits of the communities we’re serving. It’s more than just having eco-friendly building. Join this session to understand the resilience and flexibility of the green shift and how we can solve the biggest challenge we’re facing, the deterioration of our planet.

Key takeaways include:

• Identify the right adoption methods of the green shift based on your business needs
• Learn how to assess the level and need of the green shift - from your constructors to your community
• Understand the challenges, but the abundant opportunities available through fully adopting the green shift.