The 2022 Americas Summit is the premier BuiltWorlds event of the year, where executives and industry leaders throughout the AEC space will gather in Chicago to discuss the strategic implications of various built world innovations and technologies. Conversations during the event will analyze current, and possible future industry trends, as well as their impact on the future. As a follow up to last week’s Day 1 briefing, Day 2 of the Americas Summit will examine the industry’s approach to innovation and the role of investment in gaining valuable insights.
As part of their digital transformation strategies, many companies within the built world ecosystem are beginning to invest in startups and venture funds. Rick Khan of STO, Eduardo Gomez of CRH, Erik Melgar of ProgressoX, and Sven Harmsen of Saint Gobain will begin Day 2 by discussing approaches to external investments, reasons for pursuing corporate venture strategies, and an overview of daily operations within their companies.
The conversation will continue with a keynote presentation from EllisDon CEO, Geoff Smith, on how this widely successful global innovator is preparing for the future. As a leader in construction and building services, the Canadian company generates a revenue in excess of five billion dollars annually. Smith first joined EllisDon in 1983 before being named President and CEO in 1996, a position he still holds to this day. The first half of Day 2 will wrap up with a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges of intrapreneurship. Although many companies are investing in startups outside of their organizations, others are leveraging the talent of their own employees and assets to gain a competitive advantage. Jake Olson of Stanley X, Jonathan Erlich of T2D2, Steve Muck of Brayman Construction, and Jim Andrews of SubHQ will share the journey of their companies as well as the different hurdles they experience through their growth. 
The second half of Day 2 includes several smaller events, highlighted by a tour of the Willis Tower. As the tallest building in Chicago, attendees will be able to get an inside look at the building’s features and architecture while experiencing an expansive view of the city. The afternoon will also include three roundtable discussions moderated by BuiltWorlds directors covering trends in infrastructure and heavy civil work, specialty construction, and building tech. These conversations specific to these company types will provide industry leaders with an opportunity to gain in-depth insights and collaborate on future prospects for each respective topic. Additionally, BuiltWorlds founder Matt Gray will be hosting a CEO forum with a number of executives from across the industry. This forum will focus solely on conversations revolving around business strategies and future growth opportunities from those at the very top of the industry.
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