Innovative construction and civil engineering firms now have extra time to enter an awards ceremony recognising their achievements.
The deadline for the TechFest Awards has been extended to Friday 21 July, giving potential entrants just under two weeks extra to submit their entries.
Celebrating innovation in civil engineering and construction, the awards will be held in the evening after TechFest's daytime conference on 23 November at Hilton London Bankside, in partnership with Construction News and its sister title New Civil Engineer.
There are 21 categories open to entry this year, 12 of which focus on how projects are harnessing new technologies. Among these are two new categories – Best Use of Technology: Digital Construction and Best Use of Technology in a project. The latter will be split at judging based on project value.
There are also eight categories to reward organisations that have applied new technologies to boost their overall business or have established initiatives to increase digital skills. Some of the categories covering these areas include Technology Supplier of the Year, Consultant of the Year: Technical Excellence, Contractor of the Year: Technical Excellence and Product Innovation of the Year.
The Innovation Accelerator award also returns in 2023, with the companies shortlisted receiving a complimentary stand within the Start Up zone at this year’s event. These companies will also present live to the category judges on the main stage in front of conference delegates.
Other categories that will be live-judged during the conference within a dedicated area of the exhibition are the Best Use of Technology: Smart Data Collection in Construction and Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction.
There is also a category for individuals who are leading and driving change in the sector during the early stages of their careers. The Digital Rising Star category seeks to recognise early career professionals who have helped in the development of innovative solutions or made a significant contribution to a project through their passion for technology.
Entries will be judged by an independent panel comprising more than 60 key industry figures drawn from government, client organisations and research bodies.
CN editor Colin Marrs said: “With the construction and civil engineering sectors crying out for solutions to help them meet the challenges facing them, this is the ideal time to gain wider recognition for your efforts by entering the TechFest Awards.”
NCE editor Claire Smith said: “Bringing together the whole construction and civil engineering sector presents an opportunity for companies to showcase the innovations and technologies driving the industry forward and ensures we are sharing the best ideas right across the industry.”
The awards are free to enter and those interested can enter several innovations in one category or submit entries in as many categories as they wish to.