The Buildings Show, North America’s largest networking and educational event for design, architecture, construction and real estate industries returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. IIDEXCanada is scheduled for Nov. 29 and 30.
Client expectations about housing, commercial spaces, hospitality and workplace design, or urban planning solutions are constantly evolving, the show organizers say in a news release. “Meanwhile, end users demand solutions to accessible, engaging and connected communities. The Buildings Show and its many valued partners with numerous participating associations and organizations are assembling in Toronto to address these challenges.”
“Innovative companies are being proactive at looking ahead of client needs and emerging trends, resulting in continued industry leadership,” Informa Exhibitions vice-president Nancy Milani said in a statement. “Whether on the show floor or in seminar rooms, attendees will find tools from our exhibitors and speakers so they can effectively adapt to our changing design and construction markets.”
More than 30,500 industry professionals visit the show annually to connect with 1,600 Canadian, US and international exhibitors in both the MTCC’s South and North buildings.
Key exhibitors in the North building include Arconas, Dyson, Astley-Gilbert, Ceragres, Houzz, Sherwin-Williams and Metrie. Leading companies in the South building showcase Tarkett, MAPEI, Cree, VELUX, Festool and CertainTeed.
Through demonstrations, in-booth engagements and display features, attendees will discover the latest products, solutions and technologies from leading suppliers in a dynamic marketplace that provides invaluable perspectives in industry trends.
Show visitors will be able to participate in events throughout the MTCC. In the South, this year’s International Architectural Roundtable entitled Cities and Densification: Weaving Our New Urban Fabric will feature moderator Adele Weder (Canadian Architect) and panelists Kelly Doran (MASS), Zhu Pei (Studio Zhu-Pei), Lloyd Sigal (Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC), and Don Weinreich (Ennead Architects).
The Ask the Experts Breakfast with BASF returns by offering solutions to challenging questions associated with the production, construction, repair, and maintenance of projects made of concrete. The Evolution of Real Estate: Why Engagement Matters, led by Matrix will discuss solutions to nurturing and retaining top talent.
The Construction Act, Bill 142 session will focus on 2017 changes to the Construction Lien Act. This year’s PM Executive Roundtable tackles how successful organizations achieve operational excellence through resource and talent management in an intensely competitive market.
In the North building, IIDEXCanada welcomes internationally celebrated designers to the keynote theatre: accessibility advocate Rick Hansen, CEO and co-founder Marc Kushner (Architizer), industrial designer John Löfgren (Form Us With Love), Florian Idenburg (SO—IL), and architects Maria Lisogorskaya & James Binning (ASSEMBLE). This year’s national summits explore design challenges related to accessibility, wellness, Passive House design and healthcare.
New features at the show include: Prototypa, a prototyping workshop led by Stockholm-based Form Us With Love; Boutique Design Pavilion, a dedicated space serving the hospitality sector, and a special exhibition from OCADU showcasing the process of making Canadian iconic designs more accessible.
“A big focus of this year’s program is about tapping into the entrepreneurial spirit of design and uncovering new opportunities,” said IIDEXCanada vice-president Tracy Bowie. “Whether they are from within the industry or from the outside, these leaders inspire positive change and push the design world to innovate.”
Returning this year are the Passive House and AWMAC pavilions, the fifth annual IIDEX Woodshop, THINK:Material, Canadian Interiors’ Best of Canada Awards and Canadian Architect’s Awards of Excellence presentation and reception, site tours, and parties including the Opening Night Party.
The Buildings Show offers more than 350 seminars and demonstrations with over 500 speakers led by industry experts. Attendees can customize their continuing education selection on topics related to: architecture; interior, residential and retail design; building codes; accessibility; healthcare and senior living; hospitality; safety; new and innovative products, and technologies; sustainability; high-performance buildings; workplace and wellness; and much more.
South Building: Construct Canada, PM Expo, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo and the World of Concrete Pavilion
Exhibits: Nov. 29 and 30: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Dec. 1: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Seminars: Nov. 29 and 30: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
North Building: IIDEXCanada
Exhibits: Nov. 29 – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Nov. 30 – 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Seminars: Nov. 29 – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Nov. 30 – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration is free for all industry trade professionals until Nov. 15. To register, visit www.thebuildingsshow.com.