Leeds Hosts Construction Event Set For Global Stage

An event running next week that could change the way the built environment communicates, collaborates, and networks, is being hosted in Leeds, as part of an initiative to develop more sustainable ways of knowledge exchange.

In an industry not traditionally recognised for being at the forefront of technological innovation, Green Vision is set to take the construction sector out of its comfort zone, and prove the importance and power of using technology and online tools to collaborate and communicate, to give Leeds businesses a wider vision.

Leeds Metropolitan's Centre for Knowledge Exchange is hosting GVis2011 on July 7th, a Green Vision event bringing together professionals and academics to discuss and debate the future of energy in buildings. But rather than restrict the debate to regional delegates, the conference has been opened up out of the 4 walls of Broadcasting House in Leeds and projected onto the global stage, thanks to a fully integrated social media programme.

Attendees to GVis2011 will connect with leading building energy thinkers from both the UK and globally, share regional, national and international views on the future of energy in buildings and identify opportunities for partnerships, both within the sector, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary.

The key considerations, challenges and commitments required to develop green energy within buildings have already been discussed in a first of its kind tweet chat that ran last week, which saw interaction online from America, Australia and Belgium alongside Yorkshire, with some of the top influencers in the industry getting online to have their say.

The event on the 7^th will be a physical conference with expert round table events at Broadcasting House, but the discussions will also be streamed live across the Green Vision web platforms, with live tweet and blogging as well as video streaming happening up to the minute, expanding the event from a traditionally 50-70 delegate group, to something that offers a platform for a global audience to get involved in. Creative quick-fire pecha kucha sessions* - a new interactive style of presentation, will also showcase a new way of debating, and web based discussions will be running pre event, live on the day and post event.

The event is being supported by a number of regional partners who hold a commitment to sharing their knowledge, practice and thoughts on the future of energy within construction. These hosts are sustainable property developers Citu – the team behind the UK's most low-carbon mixed use development, Greenhouse, The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, RICS,

legal experts Squire Sanders Hammonds, social media consultancy Fairsnape and Leeds College of Building. It has also received support and recognition from the UKGBC who share the mission to dramatically improve the sustainability of the built environment.

Keynote speakers will drive topics and debate on funding and technologies at the event. These include John O'Brien, MD of LMCB and Andrew Horsley, Director at Low C.

The virtual networking event is supported by Be2camp, who specialise in social media for the built environment. Martin Brown of Be2camp said: "To run this level of integrated social media activity within this sector is an interesting challenge. We believe there is a curiosity for how social media can support sustainable working practices but that it isn't widely used yet. Green Vision is most definitely ahead of the game, and we are excited to see how this event opens people's eyes across the construction sector, on the power of global communication and collaboration via social media".

Green Vision is also running a networking event, GFizz after the debate for those that can't make it, so 121 contact can still be made.

Delegates can get involved in advance of the event via the GVis2011 LinkedIn group where they can suggest topics of discussion and network with other delegates online. Green Vision are also running a competition, encouraging delegates to submit Pecha Kucha presentations, and 5 of the best will be presented during the event. Contact Martin Smith on 07929 351 286 for more information or to submit an entry.

Claire Walker Project Manager at Green Vision, said: “At a time when the Carbon Deal is being discussed daily in Parliament, in particular surrounding Display Energy Certificates, Green Vision will provide the stage for hugely topical debate. The ability to input thoughts and initiatives globally brings a new dimension, new ideas, new experiences and new perspectives, as was found during our tweet chat. The digital element of the event helps make it a more cost effective, low carbon and ultimately more sustainable way to network and interact with like-minded individuals. We're very excited about it”.

The event is on July 7^th held between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. For more information or to book onto the networking events visit http://www.green-vision.org.uk/ or to book to be part of the online event contact ckeevents@leedsmet.ac.uk