• Posted: August 14, 2020
• better construction, webinar

While it remains to be seen what the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the construction and real estate industries will be, it is undeniable that it has brought about rapid changes that pose significant challenges to market growth in the years ahead. As remote work has become the new normal, companies that were once reticent to adopt such practices have been forced to adapt, while firms that were already able to track work remotely and monitor productivity have reaped the rewards in the current environment. For some companies, the shift to fully remote work models will be permanent, while others will return to commercial real estate properties, albeit through a slow process that is dictated largely by health and safety concerns. 

Encouraging the use of commercial properties in urban centers like Chicago and bolstering the construction and real estate industries in the process will depend upon creating built environments that make it safe for people to congregate and collaborate in person. Technology can play a vital role in this process, helping mitigate risk and allay concerns about the spread of COVID-19. With no clear timeline for a vaccine, Chicagoland’s building industry must act now to identify tech solutions (e.g., thermal scanners) that promote safety in built environments and work proactively to implement these technologies in commercial properties throughout the region.

Participants for the September 16 event include Elbert Walters III, Director, Powering Chicago; Dan Allen, Executive Director, CISCO; Gary Shamasko, Project Executive / Division Manager, Jamerson & Bauwens; Gene Kent, Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute; and Thomas Pedergnana, Vice President, Malko Communication Services.

To register, please visit the Chicago Building Congress website.