Bookings open for GBCSA Convention and Exhibition

Taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 23 to 25 October 2012, this event has become one of the highlights on the South African property and construction industry calendar - providing an inspiring platform for world-class education, knowledge sharing and peer networking centred on sustainability within the built environment.

The event also delivers cutting edge green innovations and global best practice in green building delivered by acclaimed international and local thought leaders. Leading experts are invited from the GBCSA's international network of professionals, facilitated through an affiliation with 80 other Green Building Councils globally. Combined with the council's local network of green building pioneers, this promises to make for an inspiring and impressive speaker programme.

Experts confirmed their attendance

Amongst those confirmed for the 2012 convention is Dan Epstein, the director of sustainability for the 2012 London Olympics and Dr. Nils Kok, an associate professor in finance and real estate at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Dr. Kok is a visiting scholar at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and his field of study unpacks the economics of green building.

"With the green building movement fast gaining momentum in Africa it has become increasingly important for professionals within the built environment to understand what constitutes best practice and how to go about achieving it," says Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the GBCSA. "This is not merely an event where high profile green building experts and key decision-makers in the industry gather, but an opportunity for like minds to make a real difference in the built environment."

Seeking more local content

"Our event consistently draws some of the world's leading thinkers who are selected for their particular expertise, their ability to inspire and motivate for change. This year, however, we are seeking an even broader range of local content for the event and have therefore put out a call for proposals to the market," comments Donné Putter, education and training manager at the GBCSA.

The 2012 GBCSA Convention and Exhibition will also see the official launch of the final version of the Green Star SA Public & Education Building Rating Tool, which enables the rating of public buildings such as community centres, libraries, education buildings, indoor sports centres, public transport terminal buildings and convention centres.