Major new event for Canterbury

A major new industry event for Canterbury was announced this week. Over three days, 31 July to 2 August 2014, thousands of construction, building and design professionals from all over the country are expected to flock to Christchurch for buildnz designex Canterbury.

Modelled on the hugely successful and two decade old Auckland buildnz designex, the new trade show has been timed to take advantage of the huge pipeline of Christchurch work emerging for the build, construction and design industries says buildnz’s managing director Brent Spillane.

“Canterbury has immense importance to New Zealand’s economy, and in particular the construction, build and design sectors. The impact of the tragic earthquakes has seen huge growth in demand, with an estimated $30 billion expenditure in the re-build alone, much of that in the next two years.

“It’s important that those involved in the rebuild have access to the latest industry technology and information. buildnz designex Canterbury will give trade visitors the opportunity for direct dialogue with key industry suppliers, ensuring that not only are they up-to-date with the industry developments, but can also negotiate great deals and take advantage of the many show-only specials.

“XPO Exhibitions, the show owner, has always been a strong supporter of Canterbury, with the long-running annual national Winter Gift & Homewares Fair held in Christchurch every year except one when the earthquake damage made it impossible to stage. XPO also now run the South Island Hospitality Show, and SouthMACH a leading machinery and engineering event attracting South Island manufacturers. It was a natural decision to launch this new event for the Canterbury and South Island industry.

“This launch is strongly supported by the industry. 78% of exhibitors at the 2013 Auckland event said that they would seriously consider attending a 2014 buildnz designex in Canterbury. Many were so enthused that they made a firm commitment to attend, and 20% of the space is already sold.”

One of those early birds is HPM legrand. “The Christchurch market is hugely important. With the wide-spread devastation that was caused as a result of the earthquakes, Christchurch has a unique opportunity to ensure that the best building practices are employed during the rebuild in order to create future proof buildings which utilise products that will stand the test of time,” says Tom Eyles.

“buildnz designex Canterbury is a great platform for our company to reach key customers and show them the new innovative products that we have on offer. With a large proportion of developments being built from the ground up, it is a great opportunity to incorporate lighting management systems and monitored emergency lighting systems to save on maintenance down the road, and to increase energy efficiency.

“We encourage other suppliers to support buildnz designex Canterbury. It is of greater benefit to the Christchurch community if all of the available building solutions are on show so that the key stakeholders are able to make the most informed decision and know that there aren’t any other better suited alternatives available.”

Among the innovations that visitors to the HPM legrand stand will see are a track based power system which allows the user to add and remove power outlets as they see fit,  to an emergency lighting solution, Axiom, which is monitored from a central computer and cuts out costly and time consuming manual unit testing.

buildnz designex Canterbury sales manager Rob Lavender says the Canterbury event is no second cousin to the Auckland one. “This is important to us, the region and the entire South Island. It’s also vital to the industry and its suppliers. We’re taking what we’ve learned from more than 20 years of experience and using it to create something fantastic.

“The successful formula of key suppliers from New Zealand  and overseas, endorsement from the key industry associations, and seminars and continuing professional development opportunities will be a base to ensure that buildnz designex Canterbury will attract thousands of people. With the addition of bus tours through central Christchurch development zones, rebuild specific key note speakers, and show features including materials, architecture and smart design for Christchurch, this is a key event on the city’s event calendar. ”

“We’re also working hard to build a key focus around apprenticeships and trade recruitment – wider employment opportunities for industry professionals in Christchurch.”

CERA estimates that 50% of the cost of earthquake damage is residential, a quarter commercial, 15% government and community assets and the remaining 10% infrastructure. All of these provide an opportunity to create quality, long-lasting, efficient and environmentally friendly structures, buildings and interiors.

“It’s important to remember that buildnz designex Canterbury is a trade-only event and therefore unique for Canterbury. While there are a number of consumer focused home shows in the region, this is the largest trade event the industry will possibly ever see in Christchurch. An event that is very much focused on new products, professional development and knowledge transfer, networking and trade sales.

Among the professions covered are building and construction, design, architecture, property development, sustainability, energy, facilities management, surveyors, maintenance, engineering, plumbing, lighting and landscape design.

The Registered Master Builders Federation’s Tracey Bree says, “buildnz is a key event on the New Zealand construction calendar that Registered Master Builders Federation leverages to cement its position as one of the country’s industry leaders. The move into Christchurch is a superb opportunity to network with the construction fraternity in a central location over a good few days. We have always had a positive experience with the show and enjoy a fantastic working relationship with the highly professional team at XPO. We are definitely supporting the Christchurch initiative in 2014 as this will be a significant platform to reinforce our support of the city.”

Rob Lavender notes that there are immediate advantages for both Christchurch and those suppliers exhibiting at buildnz designex Canterbury. “Our conservative estimates are that there will be millions transacted in business over the three days, and well as a significant amount of business tourism into the city from travel, accommodation and hospitality from exhibitors alone.”

There is more at www.canterburybuildnz.co.nz

ENDS

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