In response to requests from exhibitors, visitors and other stakeholder groups, Integrated Systems Europe is to host a Smart Building Conference for the first time in 2013. To be held at the Amsterdam RAI as part of ISE’s pre-show programme on Monday, 28 January, the Conference is part of a broader initiative aimed at placing AV and electronic systems integration at the heart of discussions on the future shape of Europe’s construction industry.

“The message from our post-show questionnaire in 2012 was unequivocal – our attendees want to see more building automation, energy management and related technologies on our show floor, and these are the areas where they see the greatest future growth potential for their businesses,’ explains Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events.

“By launching our Smart Building Conference on the eve of ISE 2013, we aim to ensure that as these technologies become more significant to our industry, our attendees have the market intelligence and technical expertise they need to embrace their opportunity.’

The Conference will be managed in-house by ISE’s new Conference & Event Manager, Marieke Bouman, who will shortly begin the process of engaging with key organisations in Europe’s construction industry to establish a balanced and informative programme.

“Our aim is to ensure that the Smart Building Conference is not just a talking shop about “green AV’,’ continues Blackman. “As building automation and energy management become more important in the design and sustainability of both commercial and residential buildings, it is vital that we hear the voices of all those involved in their development – including architects, design consultants, developers, electrical contractors and more.

“The ISE Smart Building Conference will give all these groups the opportunity to discuss the big issues alongside representatives from our core AV and systems integration communities: manufacturers, distributors, integrators and institutional end-customers.’

To accompany the Conference, the show floor of ISE 2013 will have its own “Smart Building @ ISE’ area in Hall 7 of the Amsterdam RAI. Set to be twice the size of the 2012 Energy Management Pavilion, the area will share common branding and promotion with the pre-show event – giving Conference delegates a clear destination to include in their ISE show itineraries.

“Following the successful formula we’ve established in fields such as digital signage, enterprise communications and live events, the ISE Smart Building Conference will give additional meaning to an area of our show floor that is growing in both size and importance,’ Blackman concludes.

“We look forward to welcoming many new groups of attendees to Amsterdam with our Smart Building initiative, and to helping ensure that the AV industry is placed right at the heart of the debate about the future of intelligent building design.’