Welcome note

Accelerating Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the AEC sector

We are delighted to announce that the CitA BIM Gathering will be hosted in Athlone on the 20th of September 2023. The conference seeks to continue to focus on BIM as it remains at the centre of a digital transformation of the construction sector and the built environment.

BIM is much more than a digital technology, it should be considered as a strategic and complete methodology to increase construction productivity by delivering cost savings, improved construction and exploitation management, better environmental performance and quality, enhanced transparency and collaboration across the industry.

Since the inaugural BIM Gathering in 2013, much progress has been made by the Irish construction industry’s use of BIM and digital technologies. In more recent years the important work of the CSG Innovation and Digital Adoption Group, Enterprise Ireland’s “The Irish Advantage” programme, funding of the Build Digital Project and the Construct Innovate centre of excellence are all examples of national initiatives that have helped collectively to raise the profile of the importance of supporting digital adoption and BIM in the Irish construction sector. The Irish Government should be commended on these initiatives, but there is much work yet to be done for a more connected national effort to encourage the Irish construction industry to adoption BIM and Open BIM to help drive their sustained growth and unlock the impasse of poor productivity and inefficiency.

In this 6th edition of the BIM Gathering conference, I would be delighted if we could reach a record number of papers and attendees. The scientific committee will ensure the selection of high-quality papers in order to guarantee a highly relevant conference programme. We will also importantly hear from both national and international public and private sector stakeholders on the importance of BIM and, in particular, Open BIM as it is high time that the work of buildingSMART International becomes more visible in Ireland.

Only those who have experienced the organisation of such an important event and its related actions will understand how much effort goes into the preparation for this conference and CitA would welcome the support from right across Ireland.

Placing the Gathering at the centre of Ireland is a strategic decision to unite our industry north and south to embrace BIM and Open BIM in our sector.

We will be working closely with members of the organisation committee, scientific committee, the CitA Board, our conference sponsors, and with the Technological University of the Shannon (Midlands) in eliciting their input and support.

I look forward to meeting you all in person in Athlone in September for a very stimulating and enjoyable conference.

 Dr. Alan Hore, TU Dublin and Co-Founder of CitA