The biennial event is returning to Melbourne this month with the themes of capability and innovation and a dedicated Industry Innovation Day will be held on Wednesday, 26 October.
A packed programme is scheduled with a wide range of speakers booked to give talks on a variety of innovation-related topics.
Conference line-up
Some of the sessions planned include: a talk on articulated dump truck stability by Peter Head of Boral; Kevin Embleton of Fulton Hogan Industries speaking about improved vehicle field testing; and how to get a return on investment from training by Adrian McLean, Heidelberg Cement.
Hanson Group speakers Scott Tipping, Edwin Ng, Anthony Clarkson and Ken Brown will be respectively speaking about rollover prevention, community engagement, social change and the Quarry Life Award that promotes the ecological value of quarries.
Olivier Chazalmartin, of Societe Le Nickel, will be discussing ferronickel slag’s potential construction industry applications while Warren South of Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA) will provide an overview of his organisation’s latest research results.
Before the official conference commences, a special exhibition open day comprising more than 30 suppliers to the industry will be held, with prizes to be won throughout the day via an official conference app.
A 16GB iPad Mini 2, Cement Australia stainless steel esky, Michelin merchandise, goodie pack, Montabert V65 scale model, a year’s NIAflow full license and multiple travel and gift vouchers are up for grabs.
Constantly changing industry
Brian Hauser, CCAA state director for Victoria and Tasmania and one of the event organisers, said the conference offered industry members and product suppliers the chance to highlight innovations that will benefit the entire industry.
“It provides a unique meeting point for ideas to be shared, tested and spread around the industry to improve our capability in the face of constant change,” he said.
“Visitors should walk away with at least one new idea they can apply to their business, a new set of industry contacts to help them implement it and maybe even a prize for the family.”
The Industry Innovation Day was developed in direct response to CMIC14 feedback asking for a more affordable opportunity for staff working at the “quarry face” or in a concrete batch plant to participate in the conference.
“The industry is genuinely excited about this new offering, along with the exhibitors,” Hauser commented. “For as little as $100 per person, visitors get a full day of exciting speakers, access to the trade exhibition, lunch and afternoon tea and the chance to win some great prizes.”
Changing the culture
He went on to explain the construction materials industry is actually very innovative but its members rarely talk about it or share ideas; they just “get on with the job”.
“This is a lost opportunity and the organising committee were keen to change this culture to allow space for some of the great ideas and the people that developed them in our industry to shine,” Hauser said.
“Innovation can only happen if you create the right environment for it and CMIC16 is leading the way.”
The Innovation Day will take place between 10am and 5pm at Exhibition Bays 11 and 12 of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Smart casual dress is advised.
CMIC16 will run from Wednesday 26 October to Friday 28 October.
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