Thoughts on Footbridge 2017

I've just returned from the footbridges 2017 conference, my highlights of the technical aspects can be found here, I thought that LinkedIn was a better place to discuss the 'softer side' side of the event. 

1)  The location was great. The old AEG building was a fitting setting for a conference that combines engineering with aesthetic design and architecture. TU Berlin are lucky to have such a place to call home and Footbridge 2017 is equally fortunate that they could use the building for their conference.

2)  The selection of the 'Tell a story' theme. This has been covered and acknowledge many times in the past, engineers in general, and I would be the first to admit I am in this camp, are not good at getting their ideas across and self promotion. The idea that you tell a story is something that architects are trained to do as part of their education. Almost from day one on their courses, they are expected to explain their ideas to a wide and often critical audience. I don’t know why, maybe its just an engineer’s character, but it seems that engineers just aren’t as good at getting their message across. A well known architect commented at the event that they could shut their eyes and tell whether the speaker was an engineer or architect. I fear that they are probably right.

To try and address this issue the organisers had invited those from a non technical or bridge back ground to speak about how to tell a story. The film maker Robert Schwentke gave an insight (without any slides) into how stories in films created from elements that form scenes, which form acts, which create an engaging story. This keynote talk and then subsequent inspiration from other great speakers means that I will be going away to think about how to convey my ideas and engage with the audience. From a few on the spot comments from conference presenters I suspect that a couple of presenters had a moment of realisation that they needed to rethink how and what they were going to present.

3)  The range of speakers felt broader than previous conferences. I haven't been to all of the preceding events but from my point of view there seemed to be less theory and more design and real world and applicable presentations. This may be because I chose to sit in different talks compared to previous times or because the talks were arranged better. I'm not sure, either way, from my point of view, fewer graphs and complicated formulae makes a more engaging event. One thing that did strike me was that compared to previous events there was less discussion and debate. This may be because the panel discussions that have been held have been dropped, potentially to make way for some thing better. Which leads me on to my next key positive; 

4)  The six bridge locations. In a very wise move the organisers had identified six potential bridge locations, in conjunction with the local authorities, where a bridge would be beneficial. As part of the conference they then invited the entire bridge community to offer a bridge for one or more of the six locations. I only attended one of the gatherings to discuss the proposed options for a single location but from discussion with other attendees it was clear that this has offered the opportunity to show case talent, get people to form teams and junior engineers to take more responsibility for a project that has no commercial risk. It also allowed established architects and engineers to push the boundaries of the creative talent in a way that didn't have a 'real world' outcome, none of the bridges would be built although I suspect that the level of interest generated and some of the solutions offered maybe catch the eye of Berlin. All in all, it was a forum for all aspects of the bridge community to showcase their talent and creativity.

5)  The bag. One aspect that showed the organisers' attention to detail was the delegate bags. It doesn't matter how environmentally friendly the bags are made, if they are not used beyond the initial three days of the conference a lot of energy and effort has been wasted. In this instance the organisers decided that the theme of the event 'Tell a story' should be the only visible branding. Below the flap of the messenger style bag are the details and sponsors names. In previous years my father-in-law got my delegate bag when I returned home because I either don't have use for another cloth bag or the branding is so in your face that I don't want to be seen with it! However, this year the bag will be staying firmly in my possession where I intend to use it, I'll be honest, i don't know what for yet but its mine and staying that way.

All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable event where I got to catch up with plenty of friends from the bridge world, and as you would expect, met up with plenty of other people that I would hope to work with in the near future. Hears to the next event in Madrid in three years’ time.