Call for Papers: 2026 ANZ Seminar - Lessons Learnt the Hard Way

CIBSE ANZ invites submissions for speakers to contribute to the 2026 Technical Seminar, a live, multi-location event delivered across Australia and New Zealand.

This year’s theme, “Paying it Forward: Lessons Learnt the Hard Way,” focuses on sharing real-world experiences, challenges, and practical lessons to improve outcomes across the building services industry.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking short, insightful, experience-driven presentations that go beyond theory and highlight:

• Lessons learnt from real projects—successes and failures
• What would you do differently if given the opportunity
• Practical insights that others can apply immediately
• Honest reflections on industry challenges

Content should be technical, relevant to building services, and grounded in real project experience.

Submissions are invited for the following sessions:

1. Complex Systems (Cultural Buildings & Landmark Offices)

🕒 30-minute session (2 × 10-minute presentations + panel & Q&A)

Focus areas:

• Complex or landmark projects
• Integration challenges across disciplines
• Design coordination, constructability, or performance issues
• Lessons learned in delivering high-profile or architecturally significant buildings

2. Critical Systems (Healthcare & Datacentres)

🕒 30-minute session (3 × 7-minute presentations + panel & Q&A)

Focus areas:

• Resilience, redundancy, and system reliability
• Commissioning challenges and operational outcomes
• Risk management in critical environments
• Real lessons from delivery, testing, or operation

3. Independent Perspective (ICA & IDR)

🕒 30-minute session + panel discussion

Focus areas:

• Independent Certifier / Independent Design Reviewer insights
• Common industry pitfalls and recurring issues
• Where projects fall short—and why
• Recommendations for improving outcomes

Presentation Format

• Short-form presentations:
  • 7 minutes (critical systems)
  • 10 minutes (complex systems)
• Followed by:
  • Panel discussion and audience Q&A
• Delivered:
  • Live and broadcast across multiple ANZ locations

Presentations should be concise, engaging, and insight-driven

Who Should Apply

We welcome submissions from:

• Building services engineers and consultants
• Contractors and project delivery teams
• Asset owners and operators
• Independent reviewers and client-side representatives

Why Participate

• Share your knowledge with a region-wide professional audience
• Contribute to improving industry practices
• Position yourself and your organisation as leaders in knowledge-sharing
• Be part of a connected ANZ conversation happening live across multiple cities

Submission Requirements

Please provide:

• Presentation title
• Brief abstract (150–300 words)
• Key lessons or takeaways
• Preferred session (if applicable)
• Speaker bio (short)

Submit here

Key Dates

• Submissions close: Friday 12 June
• Notification of acceptance: Tue 30 June

Guiding Principle

This event is built on honesty, trust, and openness.

We encourage submissions that are:

• Authentic
• Reflective
• Constructive

👉 Not just what worked—but what didn’t, and what we can all learn from it.