Preconstruction Innovation Summit

30th October 2025 - Doltone House Darling Island, Sydney

CONFERENCE/EXHIBITION/NETWORKING

Strategies, technologies and partnerships to deliver faster, more accurate preconstruction with fewer resources

  • Procurement
  • Contracts
  • Estimating
  • Bids
  • Procurement
  • Contracts
  • Estimating
  • Bids

ABOUT THE EVENT

We’re pleased to announce the inaugural Preconstruction Innovation Summit taking place October 30th in Sydney.

Investing in upfront planning has become critical to successful project outcomes in today’s construction industry. Project complexities are increasing. Schedules are accelerating. Labor is in short supply. And to compound that, supply chain shortages and price escalations have complicated the delivery of construction.

Preconstruction holds the promise of predictability by avoiding costly mistakes and eliminating surprises throughout the project. Organisations with “above-average” preconstruction are much more likely to experience these types of benefits as well as higher client satisfaction, fewer project delays, and higher profitability.

The Preconstruction Innovation Summit is where leaders responsible for preconstruction, estimating, bids and contracts from contractors, clients/owners and architecture & engineering firms will come together to discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities in preconstruction. Whether it’s enhancing cost predictability, utilising data in preconstruction, winning work, or mitigating risk, this is where they will get hands-on guidance from industry leaders and meet with solution providers.

Construction Procurement Summit

will start in...

Event Speakers

Meet Our Speakers

Andrew McFarlane

Group Procurement & Plant Manager, McConnell Dowell

Dorothy Matthys Donnadieu

Head of Procurement - Western Harbour Tunnel, Acciona

Errol Bellchambers

National Head of Procurement, DT Infrastructure

Charlotte Nichols

National Lead Engineering Services - Cost Planning & Estimating, John Holland Group

Rebecca Robertshawe

Director Projects & Programmes, Infrastructure Delivery, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

Ro Coroneos

Principal, Praxis ESG

Cherie Hughes

Executive Group Manager Infrastructure Project Solutions, Major Projects Canberra, ACT Government

Tony Hennessy

General Manager Corporate Services, BMD Group

THE PROGRAM

The Preconstruction Innovation Summit will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

30th October 2025

Conference Schedule

08:30

Registration & welcome coffee

09:00

Welcome Remarks

Alina Melikhova, Conference Director, FuturePlace

RETHINKING PRECONSTRUCTION DELIVERY STRATEGY & COLLABORATION

09:05

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Raising the standards of preconstruction

As the preconstruction function becomes i9ncreasingly more important and central to successful and timely project delivery, the importance of leadership, collaboration, and quality assurance grows. In this opening session, NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard will reflect on the evolving expectations for early project planning, risk identification, and cross-sector accountability. He’ll also share insights on how regulatory perspectives and industry collaboration can elevate outcomes from the earliest stages of construction.

James Sherrard, Commissioner, Building Commission NSW
09:25

SPECIAL ADDRESS: Australian construction & infrastructure market update – where are we headed?

This session will explore the latest trends in the Australian construction market and offer a forward-looking forecast for the sector. Attendees will gain insights into the strategic directions, emerging innovations, and key shifts in workforce and policy needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving environment. With global financial markets in flux and uncertainty dominating the outlook, we know that international construction supply chains will be impacted by events like Liberation Day. And while Trump’s policy positions continue to shift, this session will examine the likely implications for the sector — and how preconstruction teams can better prepare for what lies ahead.

  • Assessing the outlook for the global and Australian economy and identifying the headwinds and tailwinds shaping the future of construction and infrastructure
  • Examining the implications of Liberation Day Tariffs and its potential impact on global construction supply chains
  • Reviewing the key drivers of demand for construction and the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid urbanisation
  • Considering the impact of net zero and climate change on construction and infrastructure
Dr. Nicholas Fearnley, Head of Global Construction Forecasting, Oxford Economics
09:45

OPENING PANEL: Building early alignment: Turning collaboration into commercial clarity

As preconstruction takes on a more strategic role in project delivery, success increasingly depends on how well diverse construction teams collaborate with each other and their clients. In this opening panel, preconstruction industry leaders explore how strong client relationships and cohesive teams lead to clearer feasibility, more flexible and informed commercial decisions, and better alignment across the whole lifecycle of a project. The discussion will set the tone for the day by focusing on the real-world impact of trust, clear roles, and aligned expectations.

  • Building trust and transparency with clients to improve decision-making and project clarity
  • Examining how the right team structures drive better outcomes, not just better processes
  • Aligning design, estimating, and delivery teams early to avoid rework, reduce risk and cost escalations
  • Creating space for flexible, commercially viable contract conversations to navigate feasibility, scope, and approvals more effectively
  • Comparing delivery models and how they influence collaboration and improve commercial clarity
Panellists:
Loren Hickey, General Manager, New Business & Strategy, McConnell Dowell
Jack Robson, Head of Strategy and Conversion, Built
Adam Ashcroft, General Manager, Growthbuild
Daniel McLean, State Pre-Construction Manager, VIC, ADCO Constructions
10:20

CASE STUDY I: Improving outcomes through early-stage clarity and coordinated leadership

In this session, Adham Fathy will share how Downer navigates the complex realities of early project planning—from aligning with clients on scope and funding, to fostering stronger internal coordination and long-term strategic thinking. Drawing from practical experience, Adham will outline his approach to address planning gaps, reduced friction in documentation and approval processes, all while ensuring the right team is aligned from day one to support confident and coordinated project delivery.

  • Aligning budgets, scope, and stakeholder input early to avoid rushed tendering and costly downstream delays
  • Enhancing documentation clarity and managing scope change by adopting structured review processes
  • Strengthening collaboration across internal teams and external partners to eliminate silos
  • Building strategic leadership frameworks to coordinate large, multi-project portfolios
  • Balancing innovation with implementation—where tech can support planning without adding risk
Adham Fathy, Project Delivery Manager, Downer
10:40

Morning refreshments & networking break

EARLY PLANNING, DESIGN & PROJECT DEFINITION

11:20

INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES

In this session we bring together delegates for a series of 30 minute facilitated round table discussions with leading industry experts. Join the table that interests you most to discuss hot topics and share ideas for tackling some of the biggest challenges on the road to success in preconstruction. The session will close with a 2-minute summation by each of the Roundtable leads.

 

Round Table 1:           Improving documentation quality and scope clarity

Led by: Adham Fathy, Project Delivery Manager, Downer

Round Table 2:            Maintaining effective cost controls across the preconstruction and             estimation phase of projects

Led by: Guilain Chevreul, Senior Finance Manager, ACCIONA

Round Table 3:            ESG’s relationship to preconstruction, what it is, why it matters, and            how we best respond internally and to client requirements.

Led by: Leah Singer, Director, Entwine

 

Round Table 4:           Addressing workforce challenges in preconstruction

 

Round Table 5:            Managing risk through flexible contract structures

 

Round Table 6:           Navigating regulatory complexities in project approvals

 

Round Table 7: Balancing innovation with practical feasibility

 

Round Table 8:  Enhancing collaboration between stakeholders

 

Adham Fathy, Project Delivery Manager, Downer
Guilain Chevreul, Senior Finance Manager, ACCIONA
Leah Singer, Director, Entwine
12:00

HOT TOPIC: Engaging the right AEC consultants at the right time: Rethinking early-stage design and procurement

Many project challenges begin with how and when consultants are engaged. Are we bringing the right voices in too late—or duplicating effort too early? This session explores how strategic consultant engagement during the earliest design phases can reduce cost, improve buildability, and strengthen design outcomes.

  • Sequencing consultant involvement to match project needs and budget realities
  • Avoiding rework by engaging cost planning and buildability input at concept stage

Why front-loading specialist advice saves money later

12:20

PANEL DISCUSSION: Aligning early planning strategies and technologies for project success

When early-stage design and preconstruction management are misaligned, it leads to rework, cost blowouts, and lost value. This panel explores how collaboration between design, cost, and delivery teams can improve buildability and reduce risk. We’ll also examine the digital divide – especially downstream – where many subcontractors still rely on analogue processes. From document control to consultant engagement, the session unpacks how stronger design-phase coordination drives better and more sustainable outcomes.

  • Breaking down the disconnect between design ambition and construction realities
  • Exploring how preconstruction teams can influence design outcomes without compromising intent
  • Improving communication loops between consultants, clients, and contractors
  • Reducing risk through early documentation review, design freeze protocols, and staged sign-offs
  • Bridging the gap between analogue and digital tools across the supply chain
  • Examining the role digital tools play in tracking changes, coordinating inputs, and ensuring up-to-date information reaches site teams on-time

 

Panellists:
Kurt Brissett, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Built
Alberto Sanchez, Head of Planning, Lendlease
Andrew McFarlane, Group Procurement & Plant Manager, McConnell Dowell
Moderated by:
Martin Fenn, Director, MMCi
12:55

Lunch & networking break

14:00

CLIENT’S CASE STUDY II: Rethinking risk: Building stronger projects through smarter contracts

Unfair contract terms can increase project risk for everyone—not just the contractor. This session will explore how smarter, more collaborative risk allocation during the preconstruction phase leads to better project outcomes.

  • How extreme risk-shifting impacts project delivery
  • Why fairer contracts support stronger collaboration and sustainability
  • Practical strategies for balancing client and contractor needs
  • Building an industry culture that rewards transparent, achievable contracts
14:55

INNOVATION TALKS:

From carbon tracking platforms to AI-driven design tools and cloud-based data ecosystems, technology is transforming how projects are scoped, priced, and coordinated long before construction begins. In this session, you’ll hear three rapid-fire 5-minute presentations from companies at the forefront of preconstruction innovation. The presenters will then join a 20-minute discussion on how these tools are reshaping the sector—accelerating delivery, improving accuracy, and helping teams meet ESG goals.

Talk 1: Carbon accounting tools for low-emissions project planning

Talk 2: Real-Time Workforce Monitoring & Site Safety Enhancements

Talk 3: Centralising data storage for better project visibility and stakeholder collaboration

Talk 4: Generative Design and AI-Assisted Concept Planning

Moderated by:
Rene Essomba, Co-Founder & Co-Host, What The Tech!? Podcast
15:35

Afternoon refreshments & networking break

THE FUTURE OF PRECONSTRUCTION: TECHNOLOGY, SUSTAINABILITY & DIGITAL DELIVERY

CASE STUDY III: Digital foundations: Strengthening cyber resilience and data strategy in preconstruction

17:00

Cocktail reception and networking

Close of summit

Event Ticket Price

REGISTER NOW

$1095 + gst

1 Day Summit Virtual Pass
  • Access to conference streamed sessions

  • Session recordings and presentation slides

  • No access to interactive round tables and networking sessions

Buy ticket

$1495 + gst

1 Day Summit In-person pass
  • Access to all conference sessions

  • Access to networking opportunities

  • Session recordings and presentation slides

Buy ticket

WHO ATTENDS?

The Preconstruction Innovation Summit will bring together senior leaders representing:

  • Preconstruction
  • Design
  • Estimating
  • Bids
  • Contracts
  • Procurement
  • Project delivery
  • Innovation

From...

GENERAL CONTRACTORS

All types of specialisations and projects, including residential, commercial, heavy civil/horizontal, industrial/manufacturing, energy and utilities, and governmental projects

 

SPECIALTY TRADE CONTRACTORS

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and finish trades for all types of projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and governmental projects

 

OWNERS & PUBLIC AGENCIES

Real estate owners, developers, investment managers, private corporations, government entities of ground-up development, capital improvements and industrial projects

 

ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE FIRMS

Why Become A Partner?

FuturePlace sponsorship plans provide you with a unique opportunity to build your brand and influence key power players.

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Thought Leadership Presentations

Establish pre-eminence amongst your peers

Branding And Signage

Multiple opportunities exist before, during and after the event

Roundtable Hosting

Lead a roundtable of industry professionals in this powerful, interactive format

Networking

Impress the world with your team and hospitality

Lead Generation

New business opportunities from a highly targeted audience

Showcase

The exhibition is the place to showcase and build new business connections

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

WHO SHOULD PARTNER?

Preconstruction technology solutions encompass tools and software designed to streamline planning and preparation for construction projects, enhancing cost estimation, scheduling, and bid management, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.

Here's a detailed breakdown of solutions we’ll be profiling at the Summit:

Building Information Modeling (BIM):

BIM software allows for the creation of detailed, digital models of buildings and infrastructure, facilitating better coordination, visualization, and analysis of project plans.

Cloud-Based Collaboration:

Cloud platforms enable teams to share documents, collaborate on designs, and track progress in real-time, improving communication and efficiency.

Project Estimation and Takeoff Software:

These tools automate the process of estimating costs and quantities, ensuring accurate and timely project budgets.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR):

AR and VR technologies allow for virtual walkthroughs of designs, enabling better visualization and early identification of potential issues.

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify trends, predict risks, and optimize project schedules and resources.

Construction Robotics and Automation:

Autonomous machinery and automated systems can accelerate construction processes, improve safety, and reduce human error.

Get Direction to the Event

  • Venue

    Doltone House - Darling Island, Sydney | 48 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia

  • Get Direction

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