The Ultimate List of BIM Conferences

(Updated 1/4/2022)

I don't know about you but after nearly two years of COVID, I'm looking forward to getting out of the (home) office. Without in-person colleagues to talk to or bounce ideas off of, things can get pretty lonely. Like a lot of us, I ended the year feeling isolated and out of touch with the industry, not to mention friends and family. Sure, there's Zoom and Teams and other online tools, but there's really no substitute for meeting people in a physical space. 

This year, however, I'm planning to get out more. What's a good way to do this? At a conference of course! Conferences provide a triple dose of value. First, you can learn a LOT. Most conferences are jam-packed with training, presentations, and opportunities to learn. It's like being back in college but without homework! Second, you get to spend a lot of quality time with like-minded professionals, either in classes, over coffee, or at various social events (which are always important). Third, you get to spend some time away from your day-to-day routine. For me, this is a big part of the appeal.

Yes, it's sometimes tough to take a few days away from the office when you've got a ton of work to do. However, I often return from a conference re-invigorated and fired up. It's like I needed that time away to get more productive. Plus, I always learn some new tools and techniques I'm eager to put into practice.

In past years, I've attended and/or spoken at a bunch of conferences, including Autodesk University, ABX, Building Connections Congress, as well as RTC North America and RTC Europe (now the BiLT conferences). Each conference has a different flavor and a different focus. Want lots of classes? Head to Autodesk University. Prefer a smaller, more intimate gathering? Definitely check out BiLT. Want a mix of technology and industry session? ABX is perfect for you.

So what conferences should you attend? Fortunately, there are a lot of options within the BIM world. To help you decide, I've compiled a list of BIM-specific conferences around the world, complete with dates and links. Click the image below to browse the full list (on Airtable).

This list is in no way complete. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of great conferences, especially in regions other than North America. If you know of any conferences I should add, please let me know. Just click the link below and enter the details. I appreciate the help!

So what conferences have you attended in the past? What did you think? Was it worth the time and money? What conferences are you planning to attend this year? Leave a comment below!