10th Annual Visionary Forum: Celebrating the future - by Samantha Carpino and John Maher

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

The architectural, engineering, and construction industry (AEC) is one of the most dynamic and complex industries in the world. Whether deciding financial parameters for a construction project, designing a structure that merges aesthetics with function, calculating the materials needed, orchestrating the construction process, or evaluating how a project will affect a community, the work of a diverse team of professionals is required. It is no surprise that the construction industry is ripe for innovation. In fact, funding for U.S.-based AEC related technology startups surged to nearly $3.1 billion in 2018, according to the market trend service Crunchbase. So, how do we prepare for the next ground-breaking change? 

The Construction Institute’s Visionaries Forum, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, provides professionals with the opportunity to network among like-minds while engaging in conversation about cutting-edge developments in the AEC industry and what we can expect next. The Visionaries Forum brings together some of the most successful minds in the industry, providing innovation and a new perspective to the work of every professional that attends. 

This year’s visionaries are Roberto Bicchiarelli, lead concept designer & business development manager East at Permasteelisa North America; Fiona Cousins, digital service leaders, America at ARUP; Jon Pickard, principal at Pickard Chilton; and Fady Saad, co-founder and director of partnerships at MassRobotics. Chris Toomey, vice president of major projects at McKinsey & Co., will engage the visionaries and the audience a discussion of the future of the industry. They will explore how we can think differently to innovate and change our work to better create technical solutions as well as to develop a creative outlook for ourselves and our businesses.

The 2019 Visionaries Forum is Thursday, April 11th at the Mark Twain House in Hartford. Both elegant and vibrant, the former home of Mark Twain is one of the most famous historical sites in Conn. Twain, an iconic American writer, shared with us his unique perspective on the world that is its own entirely. Twain was an inventor as well as a writer, which makes this landmark a fitting setting for the event. The Visionaries Forum has become a premier gathering for the AEC industry as it focuses on future designs and the evolution of the business environment. 

Join us for our 10th Annual Visionaries Forum and see for yourself a glimpse into the future of the industry. To learn more about the event and to register, visit our website at construction.org.

Samantha Carpino and John Maher are both seniors at the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford and are marketing interns at the Construction Institute, University of Hartford.