"The feedback has been absolutely emphatic," said Dr Keith Hampson, CEO of Construction Innovation. "Many of the delegates are industry leaders -- internationally and domestically -- and they're leaving inspired.

 

"In particular, all the keynote speakers really hit the mark. The insight, passion and vision of Australian industry luminaries Greg Paramor (Mirvac Group) and Peter Verwer (Property Council of Australia) certainly had people talking." 

 

Indeed, the blunt assessment by both men of the way forward for Australia's property, design, construction and facility management sectors had delegates spellbound.

 

A vox pop after the first day suggests Mirvac's reputation was only enhanced by Mr Paramor's presentation, particularly his prodding to think of innovation in more holistic terms. While the CEO of the Property Council of Australia might have a future in politics after several likened his articulate, entertaining delivery and acidic wit to the preceding Australian prime minister.

 

The international speakers were exceptionally well received. Using his own company as a case study, Dr Keith Futcher, CEO of Hong Kong-based company ISS Eastpoint Facilities Services, similarly had delegates entranced with his detailed analysis of the need for client-led innovation and its subsequent benefits.

 

University of Salford (UK) Professor Peter Brandon, who attended the 2004 conference and has collaborated on several Construction Innovation projects, said the conference was a watershed for the Australian industry.

 

"He was particularly talking about the interest in and the knowledge of 3D and 4D CAD modelling in Australia. A lot of people in Australia are enthusiastic about the industrial, commercial and economic possibilities of this technology," Dr Hampson said.

 

"And with world's leading experts like Professor Martin Fischer (Stanford University, USA), Arto Kiviniemi (VTT Technical Research Centre, Finland) and John Frazer and Martin Riese from Gehry Technologies, we were seeing the very lastest developments."

 

Winter Olympics gold medallist Steven Bradbury was another highlight. He entertained the delegates at the formal dinner, speaking about the perseverance and innovation required to succeed in life and business.

 

So, after three frenetic days featuring 90 speakers from 11 countries, spread throughout five rooms of the Gold Coast's labyrinth-like Crowne Plaza, the PowerPoint presentations were finally closed down on another Clients Driving Innovation Conference...see you all in 18 months time for Construction Innovation '07.

 

 

John McCarthy, Chair of Construction Innovation	Professor Peter Brandon, University of Salford (UK)	Dr Keith Futcher, CEO ISS Eastpoint (Hong Kong)
Steven Bradbury (right), Olympic Games gold medallist	Greg Paramor, Managing Director of the Mirvac Group	Dr Greg Foliente, CSIRO
Professor Martin Fischer, Stanford University (USA)	Arto Kiviniemi, VTT (Technical Research Centre), Finland	Peter Verwer, CEO of the Property Council of Australia