Get Ready for Build Boston: November 13–15
Building industry convention and tradeshow emphasizes professional inclusiveness

by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

How do you . . . organize a building industry convention and tradeshow that is inclusive to all building industry professionals?

Summary: The Boston Society of Architects (BSA) will sponsor its 23rd Build Boston building industry convention and tradeshow November 13-15 at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center. The event is open to building industry professionals including architects, interior designers, landscape architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and clients. Build Boston will have more than 200 individual workshops, 12 symposiums, keynote addresses, and a tradeshow floor. Last year’s Build Boston attendance exceeded 15,000.

An inclusive event
Deputy Director Nancy Jenner says BSA created Build Boston as an open event for the building industry, underscoring the component’s philosophy of inclusiveness. “We started Build Boston 23 years ago for building industry members to get together, learn, see new products, and network,” Jenner explains. “It was never an ‘architects-only’ or ‘AIA/BSA members-only’ event. It was always open for everyone because architects don’t work alone—everyone is learning how to do better buildings together. For that reason, there is only one pricing structure.”

BSA develops content and programming for Build Boston. “We track the workshops by profession and interest areas so that people with diverse backgrounds can find their place in the program. It makes for a much richer learning experience because the programming is inclusive and the attendees diverse,” says Jenner. BSA works with business partners to manage details such as registration, logistics of move-in, and marketing. BSA also has corporate sponsors and works with other building associations. “In Boston, we are the largest building industry association in terms of our capacity to do events like this, even bigger than the Engineering Society. We reach out to the other building industry associations, and they partner with us and participate in this event. We have for the last several years registered close to, and last year exceeded, 15,000 individuals. That shows that Build Boston is working.”

Workshops, symposiums, and trade show
Build Boston will have more than 200 individual workshops, which includes keynote addresses. Topics run the gamut and include universal design, BIM, green interiors, special-needs communities, centers of medicine, modular housing, small practices, landscaping, and high-performance buildings. Build Boston also offers one- and two-day symposiums for more specialized discussion.

“We’ve learned that that professionals are getting specialized in today’s learning environment,” notes Jenner. “This year, we have a dozen symposiums, such as a two-day symposium on housing, a one-day symposium on integrated practice, a symposium on landscape architecture, and a symposium on small firms. This allows us to target content to audiences interested in those kinds of sessions. Anybody can sign up for a whole symposium, take just one or two workshops within a symposium, or pick from the a la carte section. The symposiums help attendees find their niche and allow for flexibility.”

This year’s symposiums also include topics on building science, green interiors, integrated practice and BIM, universal design, building codes, and community design in practice. Jenner says BSA’s specialized knowledge committees work with other building industry associations to develop symposium content. “For example, we worked with the Boston Society of Landscape Architects to put together the landscape architecture symposium. Using the expertise of the knowledge groups allows us to have much more in-depth, high-quality content within the event. We still have the nuts and bolts stuff, but the symposiums are more detailed learning.”

The trade show is a large part of Build Boston. “We’ve been sold out the last 8-9 years,” enthuses Jenner. “Being in the World Trade Center allows us to have a full trade show floor and we can add more people. We have design exhibits and any firm can participate by submitting a board of one of their projects. Our extensive photo exhibit of current New England architects’ work is always popular.”

Inclusiveness is not about membership
BSA emphasizes networking. “We have much to learn from each other,” maintains Jenner. As a result of that philosophy, Build Boston discontinued its old design awards banquet in favor of some informal mingling. “The old banquet stopped working,” she says. “Now we have a big gala celebration, which is a huge networking cocktail party.”

What advice does Jenner have for components who might want to hold a building industry event and tradeshow? “Be inclusive. Inclusiveness is not about membership—it’s about participation, collaboration, and cooperation. It’s also important that the events evolve. For example, this year we expanded with symposiums, new products, and tours. Offer something new for people to learn, see, and experience.”