The IQA and Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia (CCAA) will host CMIC16 – the pre-eminent conference for the construction materials industry – in Melbourne from 25 to 28 October. Now in its 10th year, CMIC16 will retain much of what delegates know and love while introducing new and exciting elements.
The theme for CMIC16 is “Capability and Innovation”. These concepts are integral to our industry thinking today. Whether it is efficiencies in processes, improved customer service or support tools and business systems for frontline services, each aspect of your business will be challenged by the conference.
The organising committee, comprising IQA, CCAA and ICE Australia representatives, has been magnificent in devising the program and organising sponsors for the conference. An early draft program with confirmed speakers is outlined below. I encourage you to visit the CMIC website – www.cmic.com.au – and take advantage of the early bird registration rate, which opens on 16 August.
Industry innovation day
Before the official conference commences, an industry innovation day will be held on Wednesday, 26 October. Open to conference delegates and industry operators, it will provide an interactive platform for key stakeholders to showcase 10-minute-long company updates, product launches and technical presentations. Delegates can take advantage of an extra day of networking to catch up with key suppliers to the industry under one roof.
Case studies
CMIC16 chairman Duncan Harris will open the conference on Thursday, 27 October, and the keynote speaker for the opening session will be Mark Campbell, the chief executive officer of Holcim LaFarge.
A number of sessions on day one will focus on the innovative uses of new products, equipment, safety, people management and training that are building industry capability. Speakers will include Allan Ryan, the managing director of Managed Innovation International, and David Haller, the national operations manager of Mirvac.
The afternoon session will focus on the leveraging of human capital to improve capability, and its speakers will include Avril Henry, the managing director of Avril Henry and Associates, and Professor Peter Gahan from the Centre for Workplace Leadership, University of Melbourne. The day will conclude with Paul Sutton discussing the IQA’s Professional Development Program and other education innovations.
Day two of the conference on Friday, 28 October, will feature sessions on the political and social changes driving capability and innovation, which includes the emerging trends and demographic changes impacting on our industry. The confirmed speakers for this session are Ross Dawson, the founding chairman of the Future Exploration Network, Barrie Cassidy, Canberra political correspondent and host of the ABC’s popular Insiders TV program, and Stuart Corner, editor at the website, the Internet of Things.
The conference will conclude with the Caterpillar Business Leaders Lunch Forum. This forum will feature high profile speakers and provide an opportunity for delegates and a broader industry audience to reflect on contemporary capability and innovation challenges for business and the economy.
The conference will also include further social networking opportunities for delegates over the three days. These include the Hitachi Welcome Reception on Wednesday, 26 October, and the Komatsu Gala Dinner on Thursday, 27 October, at the National Gallery of Victoria. Over the course of the conference, the IQA’s annual awards will also be announced, as will the CCAA’s National Environment Health and Safety Awards.
In all, CMIC16 promises to be an intensive and rewarding program. I encourage you to attend and look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible in Melbourne in October.
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