2026 East Coast Summit | Rising Tides of Innovation: Embracing Digital Change in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO)
The 2026 East Coast Industry Summit convenes leaders in architecture, engineering, construction, and operations for two days of keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking at the Halifax Convention Centre, August 11–13, 2026.
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HALIFAX, NS — Building Transformations — North America’s largest building technology and innovation community — is heading to the East Coast. In partnership with BuildingSMART Canada and the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS), Building Transformations will co-host the 2026 East Coast Industry Summit on August 11–13, 2026, at the Halifax Convention Centre.
Held under the theme “Rising Tides of Innovation: Embracing Digital Change in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO),” the Summit arrives at a pivotal moment for Atlantic Canada — a region on the leading edge of an unprecedented construction boom driven by sustained population growth, major energy infrastructure investments, and rapid expansion in residential and institutional development.
“Join us in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia and pair valuable learning and networking with the beauty of the East Coast,” the organizers invite. “Practitioners and leaders from across the country will share real project experience, hard-won lessons, and forward-looking strategies across two full days of breakout presentations — while technology exhibitors showcase the tools helping to shape the future of design and construction in North America.”
The Summit’s programming spans the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the built environment sector today. Attendees can expect deep dives into:
Digital Transformation & BIM: From ISO 19650 implementation to national digital delivery standards, sessions will explore how data management, interoperability, and BIM workflows are transforming project delivery from design through operations.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC): Mass timber, prefabrication, precast concrete, panelized systems, and volumetric modular construction are at the forefront of programming — examining how off-site manufacturing can accelerate delivery, improve quality, and address Canada’s housing shortage.
Productivity & Industry Transformation: With nearly one-third of the construction workforce approaching retirement age and output per worker stagnant for decades, sessions will tackle the systemic changes needed to unlock productivity across the sector.
Digital Infrastructure & National Standards: Canada’s Digital Construction Platform, the BIM Toolkit for Housing, and Build Canada Homes’ MMC strategy will be featured alongside practitioner-led case studies from landmark projects across the country.
These themes are explored across two dedicated breakout streams running simultaneously throughout the conference:
❖ Process, Tools & Technology — digital workflows, BIM data management, emerging technologies, and digital roadmaps for project delivery.
❖ MMC for the ICI Sector — off-site manufacturing, prefabrication, mass timber, precast concrete, and the future of industrialized construction.
The Summit's opening Executive Keynote will be delivered by David Campbell, President of Jupia Consultants Inc., who will explore whether Atlantic Canada is ready for a substantial boost in construction activity — and how the region can harness innovation in construction to unlock productivity and support economic growth over the next 15–20 years.
Additional sessions feature representatives from leading architecture, engineering, construction, and technology firms, research institutions, and national industry organizations from coast to coast — bringing together practitioners, academics, and policy leaders with real project experience and forward-looking perspectives on the future of Canada's built environment.
Running throughout both conference days (August 12-13), the Summit's Technology Trade Show puts attendees face-to-face with the platforms and tools shaping the future of design and construction. Companies already confirmed to exhibit include Falkbuilt, GRAITEC, Nialli, OpenSpace, R-E-A-L.iT, Timescapes, and the UNB Off-Site Construction Research Centre — representing a crosssection of digital delivery, prefabrication, reality capture, and construction technology solutions. Exhibitor opportunities are still available. Organizations looking to showcase their products and services to a national audience of AECO professionals are encouraged to reach out at events@buildingtransformations.org.
Dates: August 11–13, 2026
Venue: Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle St, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6
Program Format: Day 1 features Technical Tours and hands-on Workshops followed by an Opening Reception. Days 2 and 3 open with Executive Keynotes before splitting into two parallel breakout streams — Process, Tools & Technology and MMC for the ICI Sector — running alongside a full Technology Trade Show and evening networking receptions.
Registration Options (CAD):
1-Day General Admission: $600
2-Day General Admission: $800
Workshops + 2-Day General Admission: $950
Technical Tours + 2-Day General Admission: $950
Trade Show Booth (Team of 2): $2,000
Active Building Transformations/BuildingSmart Canada/Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) members receive 20% off all registration tiers.
Register now at buildingtransformations.org/halifax26 — spaces are limited. Questions? Contact events@buildingtransformations.org.
The 2026 East Coast Industry Summit is co-hosted by Building Transformations, BuildingSMART Canada, and the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS), with support from sponsors including UNB Off-Site Construction Research Centre, GRAITEC, SALUS Safety, ZIGURAT, and Glaholt Bowles.
About Building Transformations
Building Transformations is North America’s largest building technology and innovation community. Its mission is to transform the built environment through innovation, knowledge-sharing, and advancing technology across architecture, engineering, construction, and operations. Learn more at buildingtransformations.org.
Media Contact
Nzinga White — Executive Director, Building Transformations - nwhite@buildingtransformations.org
