Dezeen Magazine

Speaker programme announced for DesignBuild 2017 event in Sydney

Dezeen promotion: Populous architect Michael Lockwood is among the design industry experts to speak at this year's DesignBuild conference, taking place in Sydney's International Convention Centre next month.

The three-day trade show will be the first architectural event to be held at the International Convention Centre, which was recently completed by architects Hassell and Populous.

Taking place from 3 to 5 May 2017, the trade show will present 300 exhibitors, suppliers and manufacturers, divided into four categories – Structural and Materials, Landscape and Outdoor, Interior Fixtures and Finishes, and Building Technology.

There will also be opportunities to attend keynote presentations, panel discussions and practical workshops focused on key issues within the built environment of Sydney through the DesignBuildSpeaker Series.

This year's keynote speaker has been confirmed as Michael Lockwood, the Design Director of Populous' global convention centre team, who will discuss his work on the Sydney ICC.

In addition to the keynote address, the DesignBuild speaker series will include lead architects on the ICC project, Paul Foskett and Graeme Spencer.

Anthony Burke, head of the school of architecture at University of Technology Sydney, will also present to the audience, discussing the new developments in building technology.

Associate town planner Georgia Sedgeman of Tract Consultants will hold a presentation entitled Liveable Sydney 2021, while David Baggs, CEO of ecolabel Global Green Tag will speak on the subject of product-led climate recovery.

Find out more about the 2017 speaker programme on the DesignBUILD website.

The show, which won an EEAA award in 2015, will also launch DesignBUILD RAW, an initiative to showcase emerging talent in partnership with the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney.

Students will be invited to design the two speaker theatres and the incubator pavilion at the event.

A full series of behind-the-scenes tours of the recently built venue will also be available for visitors.

"Delegates will get a unique perspective of the current state of our industry but also receive unprecedented access to this brand new venue, as well as exclusive behind-the-scene venue tours," said Stephanie Bleakley, marketing manager of DesignBuild, which was awarded Australia's Best trade show under and over 10,000 square metres in 2015 and 2016.

Tickets to DesignBuild 2017 cost AUD$25 (£15). Registration for tickets, which closes on 3 May 2017, is now open via the event website.