Here at Alleviate Consulting Limited we are very strategic with our business investment to promote and enhance our brand. We operate all over the UK with our seven core services, yet we have no significant business in the North West where we are based. We joined the Manchester Chamber of Commerce – the largest in the country – to support our drive to secure local business. The Construction Summit provided that opportunity to directly engage with the market and hear firsthand from industry on our doorstep.

We decided, after significant consideration, to exhibit our services at the event even though we have not previously attended the event. This was a calculated risk as it was on our doorstep – we would not have done this blind without knowing the event anywhere else in the UK. It was the 3rdAnnual event with the promise of over 300 people in attendance and potential delegate attendees of organisations we wish to attract. The event was attended by over 250 delegates and the conference was very professional, but the exhibition area was not a good layout for exhibitors.

Alleviate Consulting Limited are very experienced in these matters having organised and attended many events over the last 35 years. We attended very early to set up and study the layout of the event and went to work on attracting people to our location and engage with the delegates. We established a significant number of new contacts in the region by working the floor to promote our services and our brand. The event was sponsored by the University of Salford and very interactive sessions were held throughout the day in the main conference area. It was a good mix of presentations, table discussions and voting opportunities on industry challenges.

The key discussion points throughout the day were:

Brexit; Sector Resilience; Collaboration; Leadership; Northern Powerhouse; Apprenticeships; Technology; Off Site Manufacture; Apprenticeship Levy; Northern Hub; Housing the Powerhouse.

There were a number of key messages for everyone during the presentations and debates with a forward look at technology advances to improve efficiencies. There was a huge debate on apprenticeships and how we can attract young people from all backgrounds to our industry and retain them throughout their careers. However, some of the challenges still remain around people that will make the most significant difference to our industry with leadership and collaborative working skills. No matter how far we advance with technology and products we still need to develop our people skills and behaviours if we want real long term success. We will then be able to face any challenge head on and walk out the other side because we have the right people with the right behaviours, making the right choices.