Ahead of its return to the NEC this September, UKCW Birmingham is putting digital transformation centre stage as part of The Construction Reset, highlighting how AI, automation, digital twins, robotics and data-driven technologies can improve productivity and safety, cut carbon and transform how we design, build and operate
Acting as a rallying call for a new era of construction, this year’s event (29 September – 1 October) is structured around three key pillars – Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly.
The programme is designed to encourage fresh thinking, showcase innovation and support the industry’s drive towards a more productive, sustainable future.
Digitalisation & AI
Visitors can explore the Digitalisation & AI section where the industry’s brightest minds and most forward-thinking technologies come together in one space to demonstrate the solutions that are delivering real-world impact.
Through live demonstrations, expert-led discussions and hands-on opportunities, explore the tech that will define tomorrow’s construction landscape.
Exhibitors include Unimo AI, XMP, Platned, Transcontinenta UK, Ideagen, Proactive Risk Control, PlanRadar, Stam S.r.l, Unipro, Volopa, Xpedeon, Houzz UK and Ywork.ai.
Futurebuild Innovation Showcase
New for 2026, the Futurebuild Innovation Showcase will bring together 50 curated exhibitors introducing the most innovative products, technologies and solutions transforming the built environment.
Designed to connect the industry’s most exciting innovations with the people actively searching for what’s next, it will provide a dedicated platform for discovery, collaboration and inspiration at the heart of the show.
Visitors can also gain insights from industry experts at the Digitalisation & AI Stage sponsored by Zutec, where a packed programme of presentations, panel discussions and case studies will explore the latest trends, technologies and real-world applications driving digital transformation in construction. The schedule of talks includes:
Tuesday, 29 September, 10.30am – The Missing Data Problem: Unlocking digital whole life for net zero
Why do construction projects still struggle to access the sustainability data needed for
net zero? Discover the root causes of disconnected information, learn how digital whole life thinking can bridge the gaps and explore practical steps to improve data quality, collaboration and whole life performance in this Women in BIM panel session.
Moderator: Hadeel Saadoon, digital construction technical lead, Connected Places Catapult
Tuesday, 29 September, 3.30pm – Innovation: How to use technology to transform sustainable design
The most critical sustainability decisions are made at concept stage, yet the industry still
relies on analysis and compliance checks that arrive too late to meaningfully shape those early decisions.
This session explores the shift from compliance-led design to real-time design data intelligence, showing how architects and engineers can make better-informed decisions as they design, rather than waiting days or weeks for reports.
Speaker: Doug Johnson, co-founder, Mesh
Wednesday, 30 September, 1.30pm – Building in the metaverse: Laing O’Rourke’s view on what’s next
The construction industry is starting to ask what the metaverse actually means beyond the buzzword. In this session, Rob Claridge from Laing O’Rourke shares a grounded, practitioner’s view on where immersive and virtual technologies are heading: From digital twins and virtual collaboration to how construction teams might design, plan, and build in shared digital environments. Expect a candid look at what’s genuinely useful today, what’s still hype, and what Tier 1 contractors need to watch for next.
Speaker: Robert Claridge, learning solutions owner, Laing O’Rourke
Wednesday, 30 September, 2.30pm – The next wave of AI in construction: What leaders need to know now
AI in construction has moved beyond early experimentation and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing. Andrew Johnson from Okana returns to the AI stage to look ahead at what’s coming next: the emerging tools and capabilities set to reshape design, delivery and decision-making, and what leaders need to understand now to stay ahead rather than play catch-up.
Speaker: Andrew Johnson, director & founder, Okana
Thursday, 1 October, 10.30am – Winning work with AI: Smarter project lead research for construction
Finding the right projects at the right time is becoming a competitive advantage, and AI is transforming how manufacturers and contractors identify, qualify and act on opportunities.
This practical session will demonstrate how AI can be used to research project pipelines,
analyse planning applications, identify key decision-makers, track specification opportunities and prioritise leads based on project stage, sector and buying signals.
Designed around real industry challenges, the session will answer questions from both
product manufacturers and contractors, providing practical techniques to reduce time spent researching opportunities and improve the quality of business development and sales activity.
Speakers: Angie Wilkes (managing director, Construct Virtual), Faisal Amin (managing director, One Peak Partners), Leigh Simpson (founder & CEO, Insynth Marketing & Construct UK)
UKCW Birmingham will also feature:
- Six built-for-purpose sections, including Roofing, Cladding & Insulation; Digitalisation & AI; Futurebuild Innovation Showcase; Building & Onsite Safety; Equipment, Tools & Hire; and Construction Training & Services
- Five theatres offering a varied programme of talks and workshops from industry experts and thought leaders.
- Much more than a networking area, the Build Connect Lounge will offer a chance to join focused partner-led conversations where key partners can host their own roundtables, workshops and clinics aligned to the Construction Reset themes.
- Visitors can meet buyers, specifiers and project teams at the Client & Buyer Exchange and turn conversations into commercial opportunities. It will be a more focused and purposeful evolution of traditional meet-the-buyer activity.
Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham editorial director, said: “Digitalisation is playing an increasingly important role in helping the construction industry to address its biggest challenges. UK Construction Week has been developed to reflect this shift, bringing together the technologies, ideas and expertise shaping the future of the sector.
“The show provides an excellent platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and insight into how digital tools and approaches are being applied in practice to help businesses embrace opportunities of a more connected, data-driven industry.”
UKCW Birmingham is sponsored by Barbour ABI, Zutec, Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty.. To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit
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