CEF 2026 Annual Conference 

27 April  2026  Events 

CEF will host its 2026 Annual Conference, sponsored by KPMG, on Tuesday 2 June 2026 at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, with members and key stakeholders from across Northern Ireland’s construction and built environment sector set to attend.

The inaugural conference marks a significant addition to the industry calendar and comes at a time of growing focus on the challenges and opportunities facing construction, including decarbonisation, skills shortages and digital transformation.

The morning event will provide a platform for discussion and engagement on these key issues, alongside opportunities for networking across the sector. Proceedings will begin with registration and networking from 8:15am, followed by conference sessions running from 9:00am to 12:45pm, and concluding with a networking lunch.

A central feature of the programme will be a panel of elected representatives discussing the CEF 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly Election Manifesto, offering insight into political perspectives and priorities ahead of the next Assembly mandate.

The wider agenda will explore a number of pressing industry themes, including carbon reduction and the transition to net zero, the future construction workforce and skills pipeline, and the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in shaping the sector.

The event will be compered by Sarah Travers and will include a keynote address from Suzanne Hill, Business Strategist for AI.

Attendance at the conference is free for CEF members, with tickets available to non-members. The event will follow the CEF Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place earlier that morning and is open to members only.

With strong interest already, early registration is encouraged.  The CEF Annual General Meeting (AGM), open to members only, will take place from 8:30am to 8:55am ahead of the conference programme.

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