PropTech Today: The under-appreciated 2019 property events near you

It’s time to think about planning the 2019 events calendar. This year, there are more PropTech conferences scheduled than ever before, and they’re more geographically democratic than ever before, too, hosted by cities up and down the UK. 

Usually, my annual roundup of upcoming events tends to give focus to the big, glossy, high-attendance-guaranteed events, but I think we’re all well aware of your MIPIMs and PropTeqs nowadays. So instead, here are some of the newer, more unusual, and less high-profile events that I think are definitely worth attending this year.

Having dragged myself around the world throughout the backend of last year, I can tell you for sure that the more obscure and lesser-known events often hold equal, if not more, potential than the top-line conferences… 

Smart Cities Development Conference 2019 - 6th February, Oxford

The Smart Cities Development Conference aims to explore how the UK can ensure that future development projects, especially in highly populated, urban areas, are smart, sustainable, and future-proof. What’s more, how do we ensure that they contribute to the nation’s economic growth?

This event will be made up of a series of keynote speeches, panel debates, and ‘development plan presentations’. The latter will see attendees explore the most innovative and forward-looking development proposals, discussing everything from best practice, legal processes, waste reduction, all to better understand the future of smart development in the UK.

Smart Cities UK 2019 - 7th February, London

Even at just four years old, Smart Cities UK is the longest-serving UK smart city event. This year, the main focus of discussion will be sustainable investment, with special attention paid to how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can influence ‘economic and social acceleration within UK cities’.

Over 300 attendees, all of whom can be classed as influential industry decision-makers, will also be challenged to consider Brexit, funding, leadership, and so much more, and all the ways in which they will affect sustainable smart development across the UK.

The 2019 conference is all about offering genuinely actionable insight, skills, resources, and guidance for industry professionals. It will also include the Smart Cities Awards.

BIM Glasgow Conference - 7th February, Glasgow

The event will provide insight into new and emerging technologies as well as being a forum for delegates to learn, share, deliberate, discover new processes, make new contacts and maximise the full BIM potential of your company or organisation.

Including speakers from Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Scottish Enterprise, UK BIM Alliance, plus a keynote from a property industry digital transformation specialist called James Dearsley.

UK Infrastructure Show - 30th April, Birmingham

This is one for those of you based in the Midlands but should certainly be on anyone’s radar if they’ve got an interest in infrastructure technology such as utilities and energy. Smart technology and IoT innovation will all be showcased at the NEC, a vast and sprawling display of tomorrow’s world infrastructure. 

The event describes itself as ‘a significant opportunity for those businesses looking for supply chain opportunities across all sectors from transport to flood and coastal to utilities’. 

ASDToken London - Blockchain + Real Estate - 13th June, London

This is #BitcoinCRE's second year at London Tech Week, but this year it has been rebranded as ASDToken. As to why, I’m not sure... 

This intimate and insightful conference will focus on sharing all that's happening within the realms of blockchain, token economy, and the real estate community.

Tech Live ‘19 - 12th September, Manchester

Hosted by EG, the title of this year’s Tech Live is: ‘Becoming a ‘tech city’: how to drive your digital ID’. What does the future look like for Manchester, increasingly referred to as The Silicon Valley of the North?

This even plans to delve into how the heart of the Northern Powerhouse can become the city to rival London in terms of investment, growth, and economic output. 

UKPA Awards - October 2019, London

The UK PropTech Association Awards enters its second year after a rough and rowdy introduction in 2019. Will it be held in a pub again? Who knows? Maybe.

The UKPA is a vital organisation for our industry and the UK’s ever- increasing influence on the global PropTech stage. These awards showcase the very best in UK talent. 

London Property Club - Second Thursday of the month, London

This monthly event, held in Mayfair, is strictly invitation only. To quote the website, ‘There are no speeches or sponsorship, just a room full of property professionals looking to meet fellow professionals in a relaxed and informal environment.’

With numbers strictly capped, this really is a club, and one which an increasing amount of people want to be part of. People spotted at the club before include representatives from the Bank of England, Government Property Agency, Cabinet Office, Transport for London, Mitsui Fudosan, and British Land.

If you want to know how to become a member, you have to send an enquiry via the website.

*James Dearsley is a leading PropTech influencer and commentator, and is co-founder of PropTech platform Unissu. You can follow James on Twitter here.