It’s almost here: the Smart Building Showcase is back at PropTech Connect, and I can’t wait to share how it has evolved into our flagship moment each year.
I’m proud when I think of everything this event represents. We built it to go beyond demos and presentations. It is a live testament to what happens when brilliant tech and seamless integration come together. This year’s Smart Building Showcase, arriving amid a surge of innovation and optimism in the built-environment world, feels like a special moment.
A few years ago, when this showcase was just an idea, we dreamt of bringing together partners who didn’t just feature their products, but who would align completely with our vision to optimise environments for people and planet.
So here’s how the story unfolds, partner by partner:
Genetec • Axis Communications • HID • Metra Smart Locker Systems
Access is where it all begins. With Genetec, we manage guest flows and secure entry. No fumbling with badges, no awkward queues. Axis Communications adds 24/7 visibility to keep spaces secure. HID takes it a step further by turning smartphones into digital credentials. And Metra Smart Locker System? Their IoT-enabled lockers let you find one, unlock it, and go. It’s frictionless, intelligent, and just works.
XY Sense • Delta Controls • Simmtronic • WellStat
Then comes the building’s brain. Our integration with XY Sense feeds live occupancy data into our dashboards, letting building managers see where people are, where they aren’t, and when spaces are being underused. Delta Controls ties HVAC, lighting, and systems together for responsive control and energy efficiency. Simmtronic ensures lighting adapts to presence and preference. WellStat provides the pathway to manage energy in real time with cost-based reporting.
Vorboss • KONE • Tector • Watergate
Connectivity is the lifeline. Vorboss provides dedicated, high-speed networks across the city so everything runs smoothly. From smart lifts with KONE, to Tector’s moisture sensors that catch issues early, it’s all built on a reliable digital foundation. Watergate’s AI-powered system provides real-time insight into water usage and leak detection. Each partner ensures buildings don’t just talk. They listen, anticipate, and respond.
Zinc • WasteTracker • reFit
Resilience and sustainability are the twin priorities of modern buildings. Zinc ensures emergency communications reach the right people instantly. WasteTracker provides ESG-grade reporting on waste output, giving transparency and accountability. reFit brings wellness into the workplace with autonomous, thoughtful tech. It’s the kind of holistic support every occupier deserves.
The Talk Stage Returns
We’re also bringing back one of last year’s standout features. The Talk Stage is your chance to meet, listen to, and speak with global leaders and experts who are shaping the smartest buildings in the world. Whether you’re here to learn, connect or challenge ideas, this is the space where real conversations happen.
New this year: day 1 Afterparty
At the end of day 1, the Talk Stage transforms into a vibrant social hub for the Smart Building Showcase afterparty. Expect a live DJ set, complimentary drinks, and the kind of atmosphere where innovation meets celebration. It’s a chance to unwind, reconnect with familiar faces, meet new ones, and toast the community we’re building together.
I’m often asked: “Why this showcase? Why now?”
My answer is simple. This isn’t a concept. This is an intuitive ecosystem for buildings. They’re making them healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable.
Imagine this. A visitor arrives, is instantly recognised and granted entry via their mobile, takes a lift guided by KONE based on real-time occupancy, settles at a desk where the lighting adapts automatically, and breathes clean air all day. If they need a parcel or a charger, Metra’s lockers are waiting. Behind the scenes, Delta reduces energy waste, Zinc is on hand in emergencies, WasteTracker and Watergate monitor resources, and reFit ensures everyone feels at their best. That’s a Smart Space in action — and that’s what you’ll see at the showcase.
So here’s my ask:
Come and see it for yourself at PropTech Connect. Visit the Smart Building Showcase. Experience the tech. Meet the partners. See how it all fits together. And bring your questions and your toughest challenges. Because this year, we’ve raised the bar — and we’re showing what’s possible.
If you spot me there, come and say hello. I’ll share the story behind each piece of the puzzle, and why I believe this is only the beginning.
See you at the Showcase.
— Dan
