Trade Shows

CONSTRUCT was Brimming with Activity in Long Beach

Architecture, engineering, and construction professionals filled the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center to attend the three-day CONSTRUCT educational conference & expo. Taking place in Long Beach, Calif. on October 3-5, 2018, the annual trade show and education program drew in key industry professionals from across the US. The Construction Specifiers Institute (CSI), hosted their 62^nd Annual Convention in conjunction with the event.

True to its history of breaking down barriers between the different players in the commercial construction process, CONSTRUCT 2018 participants represented all disciplines in the AEC Commercial industry. Specifiers, architects, designers, engineers, project managers, contractors, building owners, product representatives, students, and manufacturers came together to learn about the latest trends, and explore the newest products and services. Stephine Pielich, Specifier at Johnson Johnson Crabtree Architects, said “I like these shows, so I can see new products and get some good education. It is good to see the good things our industry is doing.”

CONSTRUCT brings together all disciplines to help reshape the future of the AEC industry. Corey Zussman, CONSTRUCT Education Advisory Council Member and Speaker said “The benefit I get from CONSTRUCT is education and meeting people. I meet people from all over the country and have a real conversation. The education is incredible and the amount of people that you meet is worth the time you invest.”

“Thank you to our attendees, official partners, exhibitors, sponsors, affiliates and to all participants,” says Douglas Lugo, Show Director of CONSTRUCT. “We are glad to have so many key industry professionals take part in CONSTRUCT and enjoy providing them with an avenue to collaborate with each other and help shape the future of the AEC industry.”

Educational Program

One of the main components of CONSTRUCT is the top-notch educational program. Participants were able to earn over 17 hours of continuing education credits including AIA , BOMI, GBCI, ICC, NARI and RCI. With over 50 accredited sessions to select from, sessions explored forward-thinking topics from trends and developments in the commercial construction industry, to the latest in materials, documents and processes, and much more.

New for 2018, and based upon participant feedback, CONSTRUCT transitioned from offering one Keynote Speaker to offering multiple Thought Leader Speakers. These highly successful sessions featured influential professionals including Brok Howard, Rosa Sheng and Paul Doherty. In addition, the first ever Power Panel session at CONSTRUCT was also a big hit. Featuring upcoming, millennial professionals, the forward-thinking panel dispelled some commonly held beliefs about their generation and what they want for the future.

From sold out technical tours, to hands-on workshops, the educational program included several non-traditional learning avenues for participants. Technical tours included a behind-the-scenes tour of the expansion at The Aquarium of the Pacific, an insider view of the preservation and renovation of the USC LA Memorial Coliseum, and tour of local Long Beach architecture. The interactive, hands-on workshops included an in-depth look into exterior envelope detailing, and a workshop where participants got their hands dirty building a wall that included the air barrier, weather barrier, and continuous insulation.

During the first day of the educational program, the 4^th Annual Young Professionals program took place. Created and moderated by Cherise Lakeside of LetsFixConstruction.com, the program is designed to bring emerging AEC professionals together with seasoned professionals to provide invaluable mentoring. The group of young professionals featured all disciplines from architects to product reps, and even included AEC students as well.

The Interactive Luncheon for CONSTRUCT 2018 featured the hosts of the popular podcast Archipseak. Evan Troxel, Neal Pann, and Cormac Phalen discussed real challenges, opportunities and innovations surrounding AEC teams today. Moderated by Cherise Lakeside, the sold-out luncheon received praises from those that participated. “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the trends and the future of our profession is going, and what we need to address today.” said Will Parker of JJCA in Nashville, TN.

“Our diverse speakers, representing various disciplines and viewpoints, offered participants a unique opportunity to participate in thought provoking discussions focused on the key issues important in the industry today.,” said Jennifer Hughes, Sr. Education Manager for CONSTRUCT. “Our Education Advisory Council did a phenomenal job in assisting us in developing relevant and engaging topics, and we can’t wait to start planning for CONSTRUCT 2019 in National Harbor, MD.”

Exhibit Hall and Show Floor Highlights

In addition to a phenomenal educational program, the Exhibit Hall was brimming with activity. The two-day exhibition featured over 175 top companies showcasing the latest products, services and technologies for the AEC industry. Attendees explored the aisles to see new innovative ideas and solutions from manufacturers including ARCAT, Sherwin-Williams, Behr Pro, School Guard Glass, Viper II Barriers, Pella Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Detex, Dorken, BSD Spec Link, Benjamin Moore, LP Building Products, Allegion, CoatingsPro and more.

The Live Demo Pavilion featured engaging product demonstrations from Behr Pro, Georgia-Pacific, LP Building Products, School Guard Glass, and Sherwin-Williams. Attendees were able to experience first-hand the extreme durability of specialty doors and windows as a force entry attack was simulated by School Guard Glass, and they were able to watch and learn as paint was made from scratch in a blender by Behr Pro. Benjamin Moore also featured an in-booth Learning Lounge, providing participants with accredited educational sessions on the show floor.

During the expo hall days, attendees were also able to enjoy a variety of fun activities. Before entering the expo hall, a 72 square foot Button Board featuring various pins, was on display. Attendee and exhibitors were encouraged to grab a pin or two and show off some flair. While exploring the show floor, attendees were able to participate in the Expo Hall Booth Crawl and Happy Hours. Attendees stopped by participating exhibitors for a chance to win prizes that included gift cards, tech gadgets, LEGO Architect Studio Building Sets, and more. The grand prize winner received a Weekend Getaway Trip for Two. During the last two hours each expo day, attendees enjoyed complimentary drinks from the various Happy Hour bar stations.

“There was an amazing buzz and energy on the show floor this year in Long Beach. Attendees really loved grabbing pins from the button wall, and the show floor was packed with excitement. Creating the Booth Crawl was a fun way to encourage attendees and exhibitors to interact together,” said Meggan Spehar, Marketing Manager for CONSTRUCT. “We look forward to continuing to implement new ideas for the show in 2019.”

Attendees and Exhibitors were able to kick back and have a little fun while they were at CONSTRUCT. On the first day of CONSTRUCT, attendees and exhibitors came together at The Federal Bar for the CONSTRUCT Welcome Reception. Those in attendance enjoyed, drinks, food and door prizes while they mixed and mingled in an old bank building turned restaurant / bar. The event was closed out with the CSI Night Out party on The Queen Mary, a historic art deco transatlantic ocean liner. The party featured live music, drinks and food.

Save-The-Date 2019

CONSTRUCT 2019 will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, MD on October 9-11, 2019. Just 25 minutes south of Washington D.C., National Harbor offers sweeping views of the Potomac River, dining and shopping experiences, as well as great sightseeing opportunities. Hotel reservations can be made online at www.CONSTRUCTshow.com. Registration will open in early June 2019. Make your plans to attend CONSTRUCT 2019 today.

The Call for Sessions for the CONSTRUCT 2019 will open in November. For details on being a speaker, panelist or workshop presenter for 2019, please contact our Sr. Education Manager, Jennifer Hughes, at jennifer.hughes@informa.com. Companies interested in exhibiting at CONSTRUCT 2019 can reserve their booth space now online at www.CONSTRUCTshow.com, or contact the CONSTRUCT Account Executive, Kenny Lester, at kenneth.lester@informa.com for more details.

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