A New Format of IBEW Aims to Inspire Lateral Thinking
The highly anticipated tentpole International Built Environment Week (IBEW) event presents the Built Environment Leaders’ Summit (Leaders’ Summit). Happening on 6 September 2023, the summit will embrace a format designed to foster interdisciplinary conversations within the dynamic Built Environment community.
Aligning with the refreshed Built Environment Industry Transformation Map 2025 (ITM), this year’s conference carries the theme: “Lateral Thinking in a Vertical World”. Leaders’ Summit will provide a platform for attendees to witness the transformative power of lateral thinking and creative problem-solving in shaping the Built Environment’s future around the four central pillars of “Organisational Transformation,” “Digitalisation,” “Advanced Manufacturing,” and “Innovation & Technology”.
With a forward-thinking focus, the summit will delve into compelling topics such as the rise of generative AI and the transformative potential of digitalisation and innovation, and their profound impact on the Built Environment. The four keynote speakers headlining the conference are:
- Shane Snow, Author of “Smartcuts” and Co-Founder, Contently and SHOWRUNNER
- Zack Kass, Technologist and Futurist
- John S. Hamalian, Director, Southeast Asia, Lean Enterprise
- Manminder Takhar, Global CTO for Global Smart Cities, Dell Technologies
The Leaders’ Summit will shine the spotlight on how companies have effectively addressed challenges akin to those encountered within the Built Environment with their own unique approaches. The event is poised to inspire industry leaders and professionals to generate innovative solutions by applying lateral thinking within their own field and through cross-domain collaboration, thereby shaping the future of the sector. Moreover, attendees of the summit can look forward to an exciting line-up including engaging panel discussions, dynamic fireside chats and networking sessions. Please refer to the website for the full list of speakers and more information on the programme.
Discovering the Future of the Built Environment at BEX Asia
Running alongside IBEW 2023’s Built Environment Leaders’ Summit is BEX Asia 2023, Asia’s premier Built Environment trade exhibition, scheduled for 6 – 8 September 2023. BEX Asia is well-positioned to offer an all-in-one sourcing platform tailored to the needs of local and Southeast Asian participants. The exhibition will showcase an array of market-ready and innovative solutions, from sustainable building materials and energy-efficient solutions to advanced technologies in air purification, digitalisation, and smart building management.
“Net-zero buildings are already here. To minimise their carbon footprint when building and operating buildings, governments and companies are emphasising sustainable construction practices and green building designs along with operations. Our passion at Johnson Controls is to build smarter, healthier, and more sustainable buildings, thus industry events like BEX Asia provide us with a platform to share and gain valuable insights into the latest trends, challenges, opportunities, and best practices in the Built Environment industry,” said Peter Ferguson, General Manager, Southeast Asia, Johnson Controls, an exhibitor at BEX Asia.
The SGBC Seminar, also part of the exhibition’s comprehensive programme, will allow attendees to accumulate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to enhance their professional credentials. BEX Asia will additionally feature a host of onsite product demonstrations from exhibitors as well as industry announcements, promising attendees over 20 hours of enriching content at the Green View Seminar and the Technology Demonstration Area.
On 7 September 2023, attendees can also gain valuable insights at the Workplace Safety Forum, organised by the Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS) and the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC). Furthermore, BEX Asia, in collaboration with its partners Camfil and ebm-papst, is taking significant strides towards a sustainable future by partaking in the Plant-A-Tree programme. This initiative, part of a commitment to offset carbon emissions, will include a series of activities, such as developing a carbon footprint measurement solution with Singapore Polytechnic. This programme will culminate in the planting of 50 trees after the event, solidifying the dedication to a greener planet.
Forging Alliances for Industry Advancement
Attendees will also get to witness the signing of significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that exemplify Singapore’s dedication to collaboration and progress in the Built Environment. These agreements demonstrate the nation’s commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and industry advancement. The MoUs will bring together key stakeholders from varying sectors, fostering meaningful collaboration and knowledge sharing, and propelling the Built Environment industry forward.
Among these is a partnership between Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and KPMG, which will join hands to drive the net-zero methodology and establish a sustainability ecosystem within Singapore, aligning with the nation’s Net Zero vision and commitment to building future talents. Additionally, SP is scheduled to enter an MoU with AKZONOBEL to co-drive the adoption of green building solutions.
The Built Environment community will also see the emergence of another milestone through the forthcoming MoU between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and CPG Corporation, which aims to foster strengthened industry collaboration, particularly in sustainable endeavours such as decarbonisation. The MoU between NYP and CPG will encompass initiatives such as collaborations on Pre-Employment Training (PET) modules, Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses, applied innovation, industry attachments, and internships. These efforts will provide upskilling opportunities for the existing workforce and inspire and prepare future talents to join the Built Environment sector, equipping them with skills aligned to the latest Industry Transformation Map.
Mr Yip Je Choong, Managing Director of Singapore and Indonesia, RX, said: “This year’s International Built Environment Week, through The Built Environment Leaders’ Summit and BEX Asia, plays a vital role as a dynamic platform, bringing together visionaries and decision-makers to connect, ignite creativity, share knowledge, and inspire change. The summit stands as a beacon of thought leadership, sparking interdisciplinary dialogues and fuelling innovative thinking for the future of the Built Environment. Meanwhile, the exhibition showcases cutting-edge solutions, offering tangible pathways to address the challenges faced by the community. Together, IBEW’s pipeline of events fosters meaningful collaborations and drives advancements towards a sustainable and future-ready Built Environment.”
IBEW 2023’s Built Environment Leaders’ Summit (6 September 2023) and BEX Asia 2023 exhibition (6 – 8 September 2023) will be held in-person at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
