Well, it is never dull to go to Las Vegas whether to visit clients or join one of the many trade shows that flourish there each year.  In this case I was privileged to do both at the Design Build Institute of America show held in the well appointed Madalay Bay casino.  The show featured good general sessions, great speakers such as the keynote by Don Shula and a robust trade show exhibits floor.  What was apparent about the show was that the people there were really, deeply interested in changing their businesses for the better.  I guess this makes sense as people who use and champion Design Build are likely to be motivated by the desire not to perform Design/Bid/Build projects except when absolutely necessary.  These people were clearly interested in taking advantage of a better contract type as well as better technology and new processes to improve their companies performance.  A walk around the exhibit floor was also enlightening as almost every technology company had worked the BIM theme into their signage and product value.  There were of course the four horsemen of Construction software, Vico, Autodesk, Tekla and Primavera on center stage as well as many other Estimating, Scheduling and Project Management applications all relating their value to BIM in one way or another.

 

Just like in the Presidential election we watched from the show floor this week it appears that "Change" is coming to the AEC industry and not a moment too soon.  Customers are telling us that Design Build and IPD style projects are flourishing and 5D BIM with its MPS (Model Progression Specification) is a perfect management tool for the multiple models and hand-offs that occur when running projects in these ways.  It was great to speak with the many Contractors who now  want to learn how to deliver these innovative solutions to Owners who have much tighter restrictions, budgets and deadlines in this tight economy.

 

Oh yes, and when staying at the Mandalay don't miss Red Square!