CPD talks
Our CPD talks programme brings architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers into one hall for practical, trade-facing sessions. Topics are set around current construction work, specification decisions, compliance duties and the day to day pressure points found on South African projects.
What the CPD talks programme includes
The CPD talks sit inside the wider Interbuild Africa show programme and are planned for working professionals who need useful subject matter rather than sales talk. Sessions are arranged around construction methods, material specification, envelope performance, glazing choices, compliance duties, cost planning, project coordination and digital tools used across design and site teams.
Each talk stream is built to help visitors compare approaches, hear from experienced practitioners and leave with notes they can apply on live work. The format usually combines timed presentations, chaired discussion and audience questions, so the room stays practical and not too academic.
- Topic-led sessions for architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers
- Speaker slots tied to relevant trade themes shown at the expo
- Moderated Q&A where the session format allows it
- Seating and AV arranged within the designated talks area
- Programme listings shared with registered visitors and exhibitors
How the talks run on the day
Registration for the show is handled first, then access to the talks is managed as part of the live event programme. Visitors move between the exhibition floor and the CPD area, which makes it easier to link what is being discussed in the room with products, systems and methods shown nearby on stands and demo zones.
A normal session runs to a fixed slot, with check-in, seating, presentation time and discussion all kept to schedule by the programme team. Where a subject needs wider debate, the chair may draw in perspectives from design, costing and site delivery so the session reflects how decisions are made on actual projects in Gauteng and across the rest of the country.
- Trade registration completed before attending the show
- Programme review to select the most relevant sessions
- Arrival at the talks area ahead of the listed start time
- Session attendance with sign-in where required for record purposes
- Follow-up with exhibitors or speakers after the talk where appropriate
Preparation expected from attendees and speakers
If you are attending as a professional visitor, the best preparation is to review your current project workload and identify the topics that matter most. Teams dealing with coastal corrosion, thermal performance, reroofing, glazing compliance, plant access or specification coordination usually get more value when they arrive with a short list of questions rather than trying to cover every session in one pass.
For speaker participants and session partners, the prep work is more formal. Presentation material must match the agreed subject, stay educational in tone and fit the session timing exactly. Technical content should be clear enough for mixed audiences because an architect, an engineer and a quantity surveyor may all be in the same room, each listening for a different implication on cost, detailing or programme risk.
- Attendees should identify priority topics before the event
- Project-specific questions help make the session more useful
- Speakers need a final presentation deck in the required format
- Case studies should be factual and linked to the session brief
- Any video, audio or specialist playback requirements must be declared in advance
How programme participation is arranged
The first step is an enquiry through our contact form so the show team can place your interest correctly, whether that is visitor attendance, session participation or a speaking proposal linked to an exhibiting organisation. From there the programme team reviews fit against the current sector mix, the balance of topics already scheduled and the practical limits of the talks area.
If a session contribution is suitable, the next stage covers scope, format and technical requirements. That includes the proposed audience, the learning angle, the number of speakers, presentation length and whether the content sits best as a solo talk, panel or chaired discussion. Once confirmed, the slot is added to the live programme plan and the operational notes are issued closer to show opening. It sounds formal, but the process is straightforward when the subject matter is well defined.
Visitors who are not speaking do not need that extra layer. They register for the show, monitor the final programme information issued to registered attendees and then plan their route between the halls, stands, demo areas and talks space.
How pricing is generally worked out
Access and participation are not priced as a single flat item because the CPD talks sit inside a larger trade expo. For visitors, the cost structure follows the registration route and access conditions attached to the show. For organisations involved in speaking or session support, the commercial side is usually linked to the overall exhibition package, the level of programme participation and the technical demands of the slot.
Several factors can affect the amount. A standard presentation with basic screen and audio needs less coordination than a panel discussion with multiple presenters, embedded video and extra staging support. Placement within the published programme, alignment with a show sector and any added promotional exposure may also influence the package. The show team will outline the applicable route after reviewing the brief sent through our contact form.
- Visitor access is tied to the show registration structure
- Speaker participation depends on agreed format and scope
- AV, staging and staffing needs can change the package level
- Sector alignment and programme placement may form part of the cost
Records, follow-up and practical aftercare
After each session, attendees usually move straight into the exhibition halls to continue the discussion with exhibitors working in the same field. That link between education and product comparison is a large part of the value, because a specification question raised in a talk can often be tested against real samples and technical literature on the floor the same day.
For programme participants, aftercare is mainly administrative and operational. Attendance records, where required for the session format, are managed through the event process. Any post-session notes, speaker material or clarifications are handled through the show team and distributed in line with the agreed arrangement. If a talk raises a subject needing wider sector coverage, it may also inform future programme planning across building materials, glazing, plant hire and digital systems. One point worth noting is that hall logistics can shift slightly as the live programme settles, so exhibitors and registered visitors should use the latest issued information rather than older draft notes.
What our Construction customers say
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Questions we get asked
Can I attend the CPD talks without exhibiting?
Yes. The talks are part of the visitor programme for registered trade attendees, subject to the show access conditions in place for that edition.
Can an exhibiting company apply for a speaking slot?
Yes, provided the proposed topic fits the programme brief and remains educational in tone. The programme team reviews relevance, audience fit and technical requirements before confirming placement.
Will session details be the same for every show edition?
No. Subjects, room flow and speaker mix are adjusted to match the confirmed programme, sector balance and operational layout for the live event.
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