UK Construction Week closed its doors last week on its most successful outing in its three-year history, with a record 33,697 construction professionals attending over three days of business, networking, discussion and celebration.
The increased attendance represents an 11% increase year on year, proving, say the event’s organisers, that a large scale construction event for the whole sector is needed for this vital part of the UK economy.
UK Construction Week 2017 is said to have provided an opportunity for construction firms of all sizes to ‘gain competitive advantage, learn how to deal with Brexit, seize the advantages offered by modern methods of construction and tackle the skills shortage’.
With debates held in front of the nation’s media including BBC Breakfast, ITN, Sky News and regional news outlets during the week, the organisers ensured construction was ‘front and centre of national debate’.
Nathan Garnett, event director for UK Construction week commented: “This was a big year for UK Construction Week. It was only our third year, but to get an 11% uplift in attendees is a real stamp of approval that we are delivering the kind of innovative, forward thinking, national event that brings the whole sector together. It has proven itself as the place to meet and do business, and look at how we tackle the enormous challenges to come in the years ahead. It is also a massive celebration, with thousands of professionals attending a variety of awards over the three days.”
Mark Farmer, author of the landmark Modernise or Die report spoke at the event and said: “UK Construction Week brings together a massive cross section of the construction industry, so not to be here would be a lost opportunity.”
Plans are already well underway for the 2018 event, with a large amount of space reportedly already booked by exhibitors and a number of new features and events planned.
UK Construction Week 2018 is set to take place from 9 – 11 October.
