Entries are now open for the 2023 TechFest Awards, with new categories added to celebrate innovation in even more areas across construction and engineering.
The broader outlook for the awards, which will be held in the evening after TechFest’s daytime conference on 23 November at Hilton London Bankside, are the result of Construction News joining forces with its sister title New Civil Engineer for the event.
“With technologies and innovations available to the the construction and engineering industries proliferating more quickly than ever, the landscape can be somewhat bewildering. This event will help cut through the confusion to help firms make better investments,” said CN editor Colin Marrs.
There are 21 awards open to entry this year, with potential award-winning innovators having until 7 July to submit their entries. Entries are free and those interested can enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as they see fit.
Twelve of the categories focus on how projects are harnessing new technologies. Among them are two new categories – Best Use of Technology: Digital Construction, and Best Use of Technology in a project. The latter will be split at judging based on project value.
There are also eight categories to reward organisations that have applied new technologies to boost their overall business or have established initiatives to increase digital skills. Some of the categories covering these areas include Technology Supplier of the Year, Consultant of the Year: Technical Excellence, Contractor of the Year: Technical Excellence, and Product Innovation of the Year.
One category that is returning for another year is the Innovation Accelerator, with the companies shortlisted receiving a complimentary stand within the Start Up zone at this year’s event. These companies will also present live to the category judges on the main stage in front of conference delegates.
Other categories that will be live-judged during the conference within a dedicated area of the exhibition are Best Use of Technology: Smart Data Collection in Construction, and Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction.
There is also a category for individuals who are leading and driving change in the sector during the early stages of their careers. The Digital Rising Star category seeks to recognise early career professionals who have helped in the development of innovative solutions or made a significant contribution to a project through their passion for technology.
Entries will be judged by an independent panel comprising more than 60 key industry figures drawn from government, client organisations and research bodies.
