In short:
The Buildings Show is Canada’s largest annual gathering of construction, architecture, and design professionals. This year, it brought the industry together at a time when preconstruction work is under more pressure than ever. Tight timelines, shrinking margins, economic uncertainty, and emerging technology are reshaping how bids get built and how teams spend their time.
For many preconstruction professionals, this show is a rare opportunity to step away from their day-to-day routine and talk openly with others in the industry about what’s working, what isn’t, and what they need next. For ConstructConnect®, the value of the event comes from being part of those conversations, listening closely, and learning directly from the people doing the work.
What stood out most at The Buildings Show 2025 wasn’t the size of the crowd—it was the depth of the conversations.
“The event wasn’t overwhelmingly large, but attendees were really curious and engaged,” shared Natasha Saladino, Integrated Marketing Manager at ConstructConnect. “People stayed at the booth longer, asked thoughtful questions, and were genuinely interested in learning more. It really felt like quality over quantity.”
Those extended conversations gave our team valuable insight into the real challenges contractors and preconstruction teams are facing today. Listening directly to what matters most to them helps ensure we’re building tools that actually solve problems, not just adding features for the sake of it.
AI was everywhere at this year’s show; it was the topic that drew the most interest at the ConstructConnect booth.
“Almost everyone wanted to know how we’re using AI to make their jobs easier,” Saladino noted.
Our team walked attendees through live demos of Takeoff Boost™, the exclusive AI-powered feature in On-Screen Takeoff®. Speed, automation, and time savings were top of mind—especially when it came to eliminating repetitive takeoff tasks.
As Jen Johnson, Chief Product Officer at ConstructConnect, puts it, "The Buildings Show made it clear that AI has reached an inflection point in preconstruction. The conversations we had weren’t about if teams will adopt AI, but how quickly they can put it to work to improve accuracy, efficiency, and outcomes."
That shift reflected how many teams are thinking about AI today: not as a future concept, but as a practical way to support better bids and better decisions right now.
And while AI brought people in, the experience kept them there. Between hands-on demos, an on-site espresso bar, and a fun sock giveaway, the booth became a space for great conversations, where people exchanged ideas and networked with one another.
ConstructConnect’s presence went beyond the booth with sessions designed to help professionals walk away with insights they could apply immediately.
Chief Economist Michael Guckes joined a panel focused on navigating economic uncertainty, offering practical perspective on how construction businesses can adapt and stay resilient in an uncertain and shifting market.
Chief Product Officer Jen Johnson led a packed session titled “Takeoff Automation: Transforming Bid Preparation with AI Technology.” Her presentation discussed the stress and inefficiencies of today’s bid process and showed how AI can serve as support to the current system, not a replacement.
Jen’s message was clear: innovation should empower construction professionals to do their best work. The response spoke for itself, with many attendees heading straight to the ConstructConnect booth afterward to continue the conversation and see Takeoff Boost in action.
One of the most impactful moments of the show was seeing ConstructConnect’s executive leadership engaging directly with attendees.
“It’s not every day you see leaders like Chief Technology Officer Gaurav Singal and Chief Product Officer Jen Johnson spending so much time on the show floor, listening to people face-to-face,” said Saladino.
Those conversations ensure customer feedback reaches the highest levels of the organization—helping to guide product strategy, innovation, and long-term support. It’s a reflection of how seriously ConstructConnect takes customer partnership.
The Buildings Show 2025 made one thing clear: the construction industry is evolving quickly, and AI-powered tools are becoming essential—not optional.
In-person events like this allow ConstructConnect to stay grounded in the real needs of the industry by listening to the people on the front lines every day. While the event is finished, our work is just beginning as we commit to developing solutions that empower construction pros to overcome challenges and move the preconstruction industry forward.
Estimator Sheri Winslow answers real-world questions about Takeoff Boost™, sharing how AI-powered takeoffs save time and have helped her company grow.
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