The conversations driving the built environment forward

A packed exhibition floor, back-to-back sessions and a schedule built around deadlines and deliverables. For many attendees at The Buildings Show, that's the expected rhythm of a few days away from the office. But some of the most valuable moments happen in a different format: the roundtable.

Each year, The Buildings Show brings together some of the brightest minds in architecture, construction, interior design and property management to share best practices and lessons learned, debate what's happening in the industry and share their predictions on what's coming next.

This year's lineup includes three roundtables spanning architecture, property management and engineering.

A milestone conversation: 25 years of the International Architectural Roundtable

Marking its 25th anniversary, the International Architectural Roundtable: Modernizing institutional buildings (SS100) returns Wednesday, December 2, from 7:30–9:30 AM, offering 1.5 OAA continuing education credits.

Major institutional buildings are undergoing modernization initiatives to meet evolving needs. As institutions continue to emphasize inclusivity, sustainability and digital integration, innovative approaches to modernization are transforming how these spaces serve their collections, staff and visitors.

This year's roundtable will explore forward-thinking strategies for modernizing institutional buildings, focusing on aligning with strategic priorities, addressing existing conditions and managing construction within occupied sites. Panelists will showcase global case studies, offering insights into the modernization process, design challenges and creative solutions.

Speakers:

• Stefan Novakovic, Critic, Curator and Lecturer, Expo Magazine
• Siamak Hariri, Founding Partner, Hariri Pontarini Architects
• Francine Houben, Founding Partner and Creative Director, Mecanoo
• Lawrence Siu, Senior Architect, OMA
• Lukasz Szlachcic, Associate, Herzog & de Meuron
• Matthew Wilkinson, Director, Amanda Levete Architects

Property management at a crossroads: Preparing for 2027

The PM Executives Roundtable: Trends, challenges and strategic priorities for 2027 (WSM100) takes place Wednesday, December 2, from 10:00–11:30 AM, offering 1.5 OAA and 1.5 BOMI continuing education credits.

Join leading property management executives for an insightful roundtable discussion exploring key trends, emerging challenges and strategic priorities shaping the industry heading into 2027. This session will offer a forward-looking and candid perspective on operations, technology, evolving tenant expectations and market dynamics, providing valuable takeaways as you prepare for the future.

Speakers:

• Sarah Clarke, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Operational Excellence, QuadReal
• Michelle Brown, Managing Partner, Head of BGO Properties, BGO
• Neil Lacheur, Principal and Executive Vice President, Avison Young
• Bill Logar, Chief Asset Management Officer, KingSett Capital
• Lillian Tummonds, Senior Vice President, Retail Operations, Cadillac Fairview

Engineering the future: Sustainability, resilience and AI

The Engineering Roundtable: Advancing sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation (SS103) takes place Wednesday, December 3, from 1:00–2:00 PM, offering 1 OAA and 1 BOMI continuing education credit.

The Engineering roundtable at The Buildings Show brings together engineering leaders to discuss transformative trends, AI, pressing challenges and the opportunities facing the profession and society to advance sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future outlook of engineering in the built environment landscape.

Speakers:

• Jeanette Southwood, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Engineers Canada
• Arjan Arenja, Independent Corporate Director and Governance Professional, Spectrum Business Development Inc.
• Vanessa Raponi, Founder, EngiQueers Canada
• Philip Rizcallah, CEO, Engineers Canada

Why these conversations matter

These three roundtables span architecture, property management and engineering, each with its own focus and format, bringing together industry leaders to discuss trends, challenges and what's ahead for their respective fields at The Buildings Show.

Join us December 2-4, 2026, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto for The Buildings Show.