Fall 2024 Construction Trade Shows: AI, Innovation and Field Coordination

Fall is always an exciting and busy time of year for the construction industry when it comes to conferences and trade shows, and 2024 is no exception. This season is packed with some of the industry’s most influential trade shows, featuring discussion on cutting-edge technologies, field coordination strategies, and AI-driven innovations. The use of AI in construction continues to be a hot topic, with nearly every event featuring sessions on how AI tools are transforming workflows, streamlining field operations, and enhancing productivity.

Here’s a look at some of the construction trade shows we’ll be attending this fall and why they’re must-attend events for those curious about the future of construction AI, reality capture, and field coordination.

NECA: 9/29 – 10/1, San Diego, CA

First up is the NECA Convention in San Diego, where electrical contractors converge to engage in educational sessions tailored to their specific needs. The show focuses on practical, real-world solutions that contractors can implement, with a growing emphasis on AI tools for construction and field coordination technologies. For those who couldn’t get enough of the Summer Olympics, and wished they could get even more, Olympic medalist, Katie Ledecky, is one of the featured speakers for the conference! 

ICBA Summit: 10/3 – 10/4, Vancouver, Canada

The ICBA Summit is the premier gathering for contractors and businesses in the open shop construction sector of Western Canada. This event is seeing an increasing focus on innovation and technology in construction as well as key sessions discussing economic outlook and state of the industry. The summit also provides opportunities for contractors to learn about the latest in reality capture technology and how it contributes to better decision-making in the field.

Waypoint 2024: 10/10, Virtual

Near and dear to us is our own Waypoint virtual summit, designed to highlight how AI technology is transforming the construction industry. With a focus on image-first workflows and AI-powered tools, attendees will learn how reality capture technology is simplifying field coordination, improving productivity, and delivering measurable ROI. Whether you’re exploring AI’s impact on insurance costs or interested in the newest AI tools for construction, Waypoint 2024 is a must-attend event to stay ahead of the curve.

SPARK: 10/14 – 10/15, Tampa, FL

SPARK The Electrician’s Expo connects electrical industry professionals with their peers and provides a networking and educational forum. This year’s agenda not only highlights sessions on electrical contracting and the latest contech and AI, but it also includes sessions on general business practices such as presentation skills, marketing, and lowering your turnover. 

Autodesk University: 10/15 – 10/17, San Diego, CA 

Autodesk University (AU), “The Design & Make Conference,” brings together creators from various industries, including architecture, engineering, and construction. AI is once again front and center at this year’s event, with numerous sessions covering how AI tools are revolutionizing workflows, from design through to construction execution. Attendees will also explore the latest in reality capture and digital twins, helping improve field coordination and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. AU’s nearly endless session catalog leaves no stone unturned when it comes to content. 

Digital Construction: 10/15, Brussels, Belgium 

The Digital Construction Brussels show, taking place at the Brussels Kart Expo, is a key event for construction professionals seeking the latest innovations in the field. It offers a range of digital solutions for improving construction processes, including planning and reality capture tools, BIM, drones, and cybersecurity. Attendees can explore product showcases from 40+ exhibitors, attend seminars, and watch demonstrations. The event is free, but registration is required. 

LCI Congress: 10/22 – 10/24, San Diego, CA

LCI Congress is the place to be for Lean construction professionals. And, hey, if you’re in San Diego for AU, why not just stay for LCI? That’s probably what I’m doing. This year’s sessions are broken out into four tracks focused on project startup, field execution, optimizing the whole project, and scaling for continuous improvement. 

A session we’re particularly looking forward to is “Going [Back] to the Gemba with Reality Capture.” OpenSpace’s own Wesley DuBose will join Jeremy Atkinson of Landis Construction as he shares the means and methods of capturing data for continuous improvement during Gemba walks, including how the integration of 360° reality capture can scale efficiencies in learning, site cleanliness, and jobsite safety across the organization.  

Utilizing reality capture technology to document their Gemba walks, the Landis team brings people together to increase understanding, foster a collaborative environment, eliminate the waste of back and forth communication, and drive continuous improvement throughout their organization. Plus, the documentation has also helped them to implement a straightforward and repeatable process for Gemba walks. 

SMACNA: 10/27 – 10/30, Palm Desert, CA

The SMACNA Annual Convention is a top event for professionals in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. This year’s sessions focus largely around safety and risk mitigation, leadership, and how construction technology is impacting the growing sheet metal industry. Attendees will gain insights into how these technologies are being implemented to deliver smarter, more efficient projects.

Groundbreak: 11/20 – 11/21, Denver, CO

Groundbreak 2024 is a conference that brings together thought leaders and experts from across the construction industry. This year, AI in construction technology spans across each of their breakout tracks: Health & Safety, Labor Shortage, Productivity, and Predictability. With over 80 sessions, including those focused on AI tools, reality capture, and field coordination, attendees will gain valuable insights into how integrating tech into their workflows can elevate their business. 

London Build: 11/20 – 11/21, London, UK

London Build is expanding in 2024, bringing together 35,000+ attendees across two halls. The event will feature dedicated sessions on AI and digital construction, showcasing how AI tools and reality capture are reshaping the UK construction industry. From field coordination to sustainability, London Build offers a wealth of knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.

DigiBouw: 11/20 – 11/21, Utrecht, The Netherlands

DigiBouw is a key event for professionals in construction, design, and technology to explore the digital transformation of the industry. The event features 50+ sessions on topics like digital reality capture, project management, ERP software, and cutting-edge technologies such as BIM. It provides networking opportunities, showcases innovative solutions, and emphasizes improving efficiency and reducing costs in construction processes.

BIMWorld: 11/26 – 11/27, Munich, Germany

BIMWorld Munich is the go-to event for anyone interested in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital construction. Key topics this year focus around how BIM can impact collaboration, field management, infrastructure and more.   

As we make our way through this fall season of conferences, we’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones. If you’ll be attending any of these events, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello as we explore how AI is shaping the future of construction, from reality capture to improved field coordination and beyond! (Pro tip: reach out to your OpenSpace account executive and see if they’re going to be there, and maybe see if they want to take you out to dinner. 😉🥩🍻)