Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Countdown toCongress

Register now View Event Program

Congress Program Outline

Click here to download the Speaker Program.

The National Congress Program has been designed to be informative and provide a cohesive narrative about the urban development industry today and going forward over the next 40 years.

We “tip our hat” to the 2012 Olympic Games through the theme of Striving for Excellence and explore projects from around the world that have excellence as their mandate.

Day One sets the scene embracing the need for leadership, unpacking the economy, industry innovations and policy initiatives.  Given one of the highest priorities for the urban development industry around Australia is the need to cut red tape the 2012 National Congress Organising Committee could not go past Jeff Kennett for the presentation on leadership and making things happen.  The Committee then wanted to put a distinctly Western Australian spin on the economy,  particularly as  the latest Commonwealth Securities' quarterly State of the States report indicates that Western Australia is leading the way  nationally .  Many people do not yet understand the magnitude of the mining boom that underpins this growth nor the implications for the rest of Australia.  Sam Walsh CEO Iron Ore and Australia Rio Tinto is the head of one of our largest mining companies and will provide insight into just how big the investment in this sector is and the roll on impact on the Australian economy, employment and population.  Chris Caton BT Chief Economist will then follow with a broader view on the Australian economy:  what’s in store for the year ahead.

And that just takes us through to lunchtime on the first day!

After lunch we will be looking at innovation, including a session by Henry Ruiz, Chief Product Officer, realestate.com.  If the words twitter and facebook send a cold shiver down your spine this is a session for you!  Henry will be unpacking the role of social media in today’s marketing strategies.  In the afternoon we will also be looking at the policy environment at a national scale.

Day Two focuses on current industry practice and features presentations from around the globe.  Bookended by Bill Hanway’s presentation on the amazing work the AECOM team are doing for both the London Olympics and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games and a presentation on the fabulous Mazdar City Project, a $20b carbon neutral development in Abu Dhabi, the morning also features presentations on the US market and opportunities in Asia.  The global view then switches to local with study tours to award winning developments in Perth spanning urban infill, large masterplanned communities as well as innovative and environmentally sustainable developments.  Details of the Study Tours will be released shortly.

Day Three is about looking ahead; hearing from the industry leaders about development looking forward 30 years, 10 years and next year.   We open the morning with Futurist Peter Ellyard who looks ahead to 2050 in a scene setting presentation which is followed by interactive sessions which will help you understand the challenges, and the opportunities, for the industry in the years ahead.

Of course we will have a few surprises along the way so make sure you keep in touch through the email blasts and through the downloadable app for your mobile phone which will be released shortly.

The plenary sessions at the 2012 National Congress will deliver an unparalleled professional development opportunity for you and your employees and compliment the networking opportunities available through the conference social program.

....And of course Perth is an amazing place to visit, stay a little longer and explore!