EMAIL INTERVIEW  Anto Budiardjo & Ken Sinclair

Anto Budiardjo is President & CEO of Clasma Events Inc., the organizer of BuilConn held annually in North America, Europe and Asia as part of Clasma’s ConnectivityWeek (www.ConnectivityWeek.com). ConnectivityWeek is a collection of conferences and tradeshows related to smart connected devices, regularly made up BuilConn (www.builconn.com), M2M Expo (www.m2mexpo.com), GridWise Expo (www.gridwiseexpo.com) and Wi-tivity (www.wi-tivity.com).

Please send comments and questions to antob@clasma.com.

BuilConn Middle East

The focus of BuilConn ME is on communicating to owners and developers how they should be looking at smart buildings and how they should be thinking on designing and procuring the systems that make their buildings intelligent.

Sinclair:  How are the plans for BuilConn Middle East unfolding?

Budiardjo:  BuilConn in Dubai and Riyadh will be very significant first events for us. The alignment with convergence in the region is very strong, many building technology companies are entering or starting up in the Middle East and BuilConn will be a launch platform for many.

Sinclair:  Who specifically?

Budiardjo:  Of the ones I can talk about, Cisco is important. They would have formally launched their Real Estate business in Saudi and United Arab Emirates by the time this interview is published. This will be a major regional launch and will create a significant buzz about how technology can affect Real Estate and construction in one of the hottest areas of development in the world.

Sinclair:  Who else will launch at BuilConn?

Budiardjo:  Etisalat, the main telecom company in the region will be sponsoring BuilConn as they also start to participate in the Real Estate technology market in Dubai. Arup are also sponsoring BuilConn ME as they launch their new practice in this region.

Sinclair:  Sounds like the perfect storm brewing!

Budiardjo:  Yes, especially when you consider other new players that will be announced closer to the event.

Sinclair:  Tell me about the Dubai Tour.

Budiardjo:  On the day after BuilConn in Dubai, we will be organizing a tour that will visit a number of projects in Dubai.  The BuilConn Dubai tour will be focused on looking at the building system technologies actually being used in buildings rather than the simply looking at the building as a piece of real estate. It includes a visit to the only Platinum LEED building in the Middle East.

Sinclair:  And it’s free?

Budiardjo:  Yes, the tour is free to attendees of the BuilConn conference.

Sinclair:  How is the agenda coming?

Budiardjo:  Very well Ken, the focus of BuilConn ME is on communicating to owners and developers how they should be looking at smart buildings and how they should be thinking on designing and procuring the systems that make their buildings intelligent. We have architects, consultants, facility managers as well as other thought leaders delivering this material.

Sinclair:  How about on the technology front?

Budiardjo:  Of course we will also have a technology track, covering more of the “how to” subjects such as designing and implementing IP converged systems in buildings.

Sinclair:  Why should readers consider attending?

Budiardjo:  If they are doing or planning to do business in the Middle East or in fact, if they want to know what the opportunities are all about, attending BuilConn ME is a must. In many ways the region is leading the way for smart intelligent buildings.

Sinclair:  I’m sorry that I won’t be able to make it.

Budiardjo:  Maybe next year Ken, this will be an annual event. See more at www.builconn.com/2007/me.

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