Examples of civil engineering networking events

Successful networking is a vital part of any business. You can meet new people, share ideas, make new business connections. And with COVID-19 restrictions beginning to ease, there are more opportunities to attend networking events. 

In this handy guide, we’ll be highlighting some of the biggest and best networking events for civil engineers. Then, we’ll share some guidance on how to make the most out of the experience. 

Specifically, we’ll be mentioning these events:

• International Conference on Architecture, Structure and Civil Engineering
• International Conference on Maintenance and Rehabilitation in Civil Engineering
• International Conference on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering and Cost Models
• International Conference on Civil Engineering Materials
• GEOTEX Birmingham – Ground Engineering Seminar
• UK Construction Week
• Early-career Women’s Lean-in Group

This event brings engineering leaders together to share their experiences and research concerning architecture, structure, and civil engineering. 

Date and time: 21 – 22 Jan, 2022 (09:00 – 18:00) 

Location: London (Virtual)

Event website

Academic scientists, researchers, and research scholars work together to exchange research and experiences about maintenance and rehabilitation in civil engineering. 

Date: April 22 – 23, 2022 21 

Location: London, United Kingdom

Event website

Learn from the best, sharing their insights on life-cycle civil engineering and cost models. The event also features a platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to discuss the recent innovations, trends, concerns, and practical challenges in the field.  

Date: December 9 – 10, 2021 

Location: London, United Kingdom

Event website

Experts on civil engineering materials share their experiences and research results. There will also be an open platform to present and discuss the recent advancements, changes, and challenges concerning civil engineering materials. 

Date and time: 15 – 16 February, 2022

Location: London, United Kingdom

Event website

GEOTEX is an independently run series of construction industry seminars that focus specifically on ground engineering. 

It’s free to attend and will have contributions from these industry leaders:

• Siltbuster Ltd
• Concrete Canvas
• Platipus Anchors
• Geosynthetics Ltd
• Envirosoil
• Maccaferri
• Leca UK
• John F Hunt Ltd

Date and time: 1 December, 2021 (08:30 – 14:00)

Location: Thinktank, Science Museum, Millennium Point, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Event website

UK Construction Week is the UK’s largest built environment event, so it’s a huge opportunity for civil engineers. The next events aren’t until next year, but two separate weeks will take place in London and Birmingham. 

Date: May 3 – 5, 2022 (London) and October 4-6, 2022 (Birmingham)

Location: London and Birmingham

Event website

Based on the book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook – This online conference allows members to network with other engineers in a supportive environment.

Each meeting focuses on a different theme to help create discussion and work through individual and collective goals. 

Date: December 7, 2021

Location: Online

Event website

Time is of the essence at networking events, and you want to make the most out of it, so it’s good to have a plan before arriving. 

Here are some general tips and strategies to help you network effectively and efficiently. 

To prevent meandering, it’s useful to set yourself some goals before you arrive, such as::

• Meet a certain number of people. 
• Set a certain number of appointments. 
• Collect a certain number of contacts. 
• Reconnect with particular contacts.

It helps to do some research before the event. Find out who’ll be there, who you’d like to meet, and when they’ll be free.  

Finding contacts is the whole point of networking, so get out there and build some meaningful relationships. 

While you’re looking for professional connections, try not to approach it like that. Instead, engage with people on a personal level. After all, people like doing business with other people, first and foremost. 

Handing out your own business cards is a solid tactic, but you should be collecting cards too. 

The sad truth is that a lot of your cards will end up in the bin or just forgotten about entirely, so you could find yourself waiting on calls that don’t come. 

But if you’re the one with the cards, then you’re in control of the next step. Instead of waiting, you can be proactive and get in touch first. It’ll show your new contacts that you’re reliable (following up after saying you would) and enthusiastic about working with them. 

You might be networking for professional reasons, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy yourself. It’ll make the whole experience much more rewarding for you, but it also makes you a better networker.

Don’t push the hard sell on people your meet. Instead, try to engage with them on a human level and have some fun. Remember, networking is about meeting people. The job opportunities will come later. 

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