The mesh conference will be in Toronto from October 23-24, 2024. This year in Toronto we open with a mesh meetup on day 1, and day 2 is all-day programming plus a social.
Get your tickets early so you guarantee a spot at the best price.
mesh Toronto • Oct. 23-24, 2024
Theme: Building our Future
This October we will mesh people and the built environment to explore what’s needed to build our future.
We will mesh people who design and make space with all of us who use it, to discuss talent development, new business models, emerging technology, resilience and sustainability, and how all of this impacts our society at large.
We’ll showcase practical innovation and connect you with the innovators who are transforming the places where we live, work and play.
This year’s Toronto theme stems from feedback we received on wanting to learn more about the growing and changing nature of space, and how anyone who takes part in creating it (here’s looking at you architects, designers, contractors, owners) needs to know how people want to use it (employees, leaders, HR teams, remote and hybrid workers, and customers).
We’re not going to make this all about the WFH debate (although we’re sure that’s going to come up), but instead on how people, technology, and process are changing.
Transformation and innovation are advancing and shifting societal needs, which in turn means increased demand for innovative approaches to how we design and use spaces.
With growing emphasis on sustainability, adaptability, and evolving work dynamics, it’s crucial to bring together diverse perspectives to shape the future of our living and working environments.
October 23, 2024 — mesh meetup
Join us at Highline Beta for a mesh meetup ahead of the mesh conference. The meetup will take place from 4:30-6:30pm at 372 Bay Street, 2nd floor
Toronto.
Join us to kick off mesh Toronto with a pre-conference meetup! Connect with industry leaders, innovators, recruiters, executives, technologists, strategists, entrepreneurs, investors and more in a relaxed, vibrant atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to spark new collaborations, share ideas, or find new opportunities, the mesh Toronto social offers the perfect blend of networking opportunities and fun.
Enjoy delicious refreshments, engaging activities, and the chance to forge lasting connections that could shape the future of your career or business.
Don’t miss out on this exciting evening—let’s mesh, mingle, and make meaningful connections together!
Agenda
9:00 am – 9:30 am
registration and networking breakfast
9:30 am – 9:40 am
opening remarks — welcome to mesh
9:40 am – 10:40 am
Digital Transformation in the built environment: where people, place and technology converge
with Kamales Lardi (Lardi & Partner)
Kamales joined us virtually in Calgary 2024, and she totally won over the crowd with expert insight, practical advice, and a blunt, honest look at the psychology of digital transformation.
So, back by popular demand, Kamales will join us in person in Toronto travelling from her home in Zurich as one of our featured speakers.
Kamales is a globally recognized thought leader in digital business transformation, and at mesh she will explore the intersection of the built environment, design, and digital transformation. Are you interested in how your practice design might be influencing your team’s dynamics and their embrace of digital transformation? Kamales will explain how the spaces we work in can make or break innovation and how creating environments of psychological safety is key to sparking creative thinking.
As our workspaces shift from physical to virtual, hybrid, and even hyper-personalized setups, Kamales will also explore what it takes to manage teams effectively in this new landscape. She’ll also give us a peek into the future, where technology like augmented and virtual reality and immersive environments will redefine how we interact and collaborate.
Don’t miss this chance to rethink how the built environment and team dynamics are changing, and what lies ahead for innovators.
A fireside conversation with:
10:40 am – 11:00 am
Networking Break
The future of work: an entanglement of HR, IT and design
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
with Amanda Schneider (ThinkLab)
In an era of rapid transformation, where workspaces, living spaces, and play spaces are continually evolving, understanding how to align design innovation with the real needs of users has never been more critical.
Led by Amanda Schneider, Founder and President of ThinkLab, this session will explore the intersection of research, design, and user behaviour. Drawing on ThinkLab’s latest industry insights, Amanda will uncover how talent development, evolving work dynamics, sustainability, and resilience are reshaping the future of spaces.
Attendees will gain practical strategies for designing environments that not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate tomorrow’s needs, ensuring spaces are adaptable, sustainable, and attuned to the changing nature of work, living, and play.
With a focus on actionable insights, this session will challenge architects, designers, contractors, and business leaders to rethink how we create spaces that are both innovative and user-centric—where technology, people, and processes come together seamlessly.
Join Amanda to discover how research-backed design can shape the future of our built environments and drive meaningful innovation in a rapidly changing world.
A fireside conversation with:
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm
The mesh innovation showcase
with Richard Baugh (Structa)
The mesh innovation showcase recognizes innovation and digital transformation leaders from under-represented communities and leaders across Canada.
A conversation with:
12:15 pm – 12:25 pm
Sponsor Spotlight — Debunking Myths about Government Procurement and the IDEaS program
with Nujhat Bashir (Procurement Assistance Canada)
Did you know that the Government of Canada buys $37 billion worth of goods and services each year? Do you think they only buy from big companies? Would you be surprised to learn that many of these contracts are awarded to small businesses in Canada? Let us help you decide if selling to the Government of Canada is appropriate for you.
Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged commits to $1.6 billion of investment in innovations for defence and security over the next 20 years. The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program is looking for your solutions to help resolve defence and security challenges. IDEaS will support the development of solutions from their conceptual stage, through prototype testing and capability development.
In conversation with:
12:25 pm – 1:30 pm
Networking lunch
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Reviving the role of the master builder through emerging technologies
with Ibrahim Greenidge (BOLT Architecture)
This session will discuss how architects are evolving into master builders again by using integrated digital tools that blend architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Think: BIM, 3D printing, and prefabrication, but also AI and automation.
The discussion will cover how technology allows architects to control more of the building process from conception to completion, resembling the traditional role of the master builder.
For those passionate about using design as a tool for social impact, this session will also delve into how architecture can become a platform for change, offering new perspectives on sustainability, equity, and the future of urban spaces.
A fireside conversation with:
2:30 pm – 2:50 pm
Networking Break
2:50 pm – 3:50 pm
Disruptors redefining AEC and the built environment
with Elena Yunusov (Human Feedback Foundation), Stephanie Wood (Alate), and Dr. Hamid Alemohammad (Brickeye)
Architects, engineers, technologists, and startups are reshaping the built environment with bold, disruptive ideas that challenge the status quo.
This panel brings together leaders who are pioneering innovative approaches to design and construction through sustainable practices, emerging technologies, and community-centered solutions.
We’ll explore how disruptors are using tools like AI, modular construction, and PropTech to create smarter, more inclusive spaces while addressing cultural, economic, and environmental challenges. By rethinking conventional models, they’re transforming how we live, work, and play.
Whether you’re an architect or technologist, this discussion provides fresh insights into how innovation and advocacy are driving the future of our cities and communities.
A panel conversation with:
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm
Networking Break
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
AI ethics: Building a human-centered future
As AI continues to shape our world, ethical considerations have become paramount. This session brought to you by MIA will explore the intersection of AI and ethics, focusing on how we can harness the power of AI while ensuring it aligns with human values.
We’ll delve into topics such as:
- Bias and Fairness: Understanding and mitigating biases in AI algorithms to promote equity and fairness.
- Privacy and Security: Protecting sensitive data and ensuring responsible use of AI in data-driven applications.
- Transparency and Accountability: Promoting transparency in AI decision-making and establishing accountability mechanisms.
- Human-AI Collaboration: Exploring how AI can augment human capabilities and enhance decision-making processes.
- Ethical Frameworks and Standards: Developing and implementing ethical guidelines for AI research and development.
By fostering a dialogue on AI ethics, we aim to build a future where AI is used to benefit humanity and promote a more equitable and sustainable society.
A panel conversation with:
Produced in partnership with:
5:00 pm – 5:05 pm