The expo will comprise a conference and exhibition where delegates will have the opportunity to hear from some of the country’s foremost experts in the built environment as well as meet framework suppliers to Scotland Excel’s construction portfolio.

Its keynote speech will be delivered by Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance.

The event will bring delegates from councils, housing associations, the third sector and the wider public sector together with construction suppliers, to create discussion about the construction journey and look at new and innovative ways of working.

Scotland Excel anticipates hundreds of delegates to attend, so spaces (which are all free) should be booked early to avoid disappointment.

Julie Welsh, chief executive of Scotland Excel, said: “We are delighted to announce that booking for our Estates Management Expo is now open. We’re looking forward to hosting the country’s leading experts in building, construction and property maintenance, as we bring them together with our public sector stakeholders to share best practice and innovate for the future.

“Our suite of 10 construction frameworks is the leading construction and property management portfolio within the Scottish public sector, as it helps public bodies to engage suppliers at every point in the construction cycle. We’ve worked hard to develop it since it was established 15 years ago, and it now ranges from New Build Residential Construction and Energy Efficiency Contractors to Construction Materials and Building Construction Consultancy. We look forward to showcasing this at the event.”

Ivan McKee MSP, minister for public finance, added: “This event is an excellent opportunity to outline our determination to implement real change through new ways of working in the delivery of construction works and to hear first-hand the thoughts of those involved at the sharp end.”

The conference

The conference will centre on five main themes: Design, Build, Maintain, Improve and Future.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Christina Gaiger - Associate Director, Architype
• James Stevenson - Housing Development Manager, North Lanarkshire Council
• Stephen Good - CEO, Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST)
• Professor Sean Smith - Director Centre for Future Infrastructure, professor of Future Construction, University of Edinburgh
• Martyn Wallace - Chief Digital Officer, Digital Office, Scottish Government
• Elaine Ellis - Skills Planning Manager, Skills Development Scotland
• Nick Ribbons - Partner Construction, Zero Waste Scotland
• Speaker TBC - Hags SMP and Aberdeen City project

The exhibition

The exhibition will showcase Scotland Excel’s specialist construction portfolio that has been adapted over the past 16 years to meet the needs of the public sector.

This will feature Scotland Excel construction suppliers; representing numerous industry sectors including asbestos removal, property maintenance and refurbishment, building and timber materials, architecture, civil engineering, conservation, surveying, demolition, energy efficiency and more.

There will also be live demos from Scotland Excel’s strategic partner BE-ST that will allow delegates to ‘Play with the Future’ through their Virtual Reality design and workflow processes. And guests will be able to walk through a simulated asbestos removal scenario with specialist Rhodar.

Event details

The conference will take place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 17 September. Registration will take place from 9am and the event will close at around 4pm.

There is no charge for delegates who can now book their free ticket on Eventbrite.