Full WDS programme announced

The World Demolition Summit is now in its 16th year. (Photo: D&Ri magazine/Joe Mather Photography)

A total of eight presentations will be delivered by speakers from countries including Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Sustainability, Collaboration and leadership are the main themes of this year’s conference, which is expected to attract roughly 400 delegates from around the world.

The World Demolition Summit is run in partnership with the European Demolition Association (EDA), in association with the US National Demolition Association (NDA), and with the support of the UK National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) and the Swedish demolition association, Branschorganisationen för byggnadsberedning (BFB).

The conference, which boasts Volvo Construction Equipment as its headline sponsor, will be preceded by a Networking Cocktail Reception (aka welcome drinks) on the evening of Wednesday 6th November.

The Networking Cocktail Reception on November 6, and the WDS Conference and World Demolition Awards & Gala Dinner on November 7, will all be held at the Münchenbryggeriet.

2024 World Demolition Summit Programme

Thursday 6 November, 2024

08.00 - 09.00 Networking Registration, sponsored by Kocurek

Session 1
09.00 Welcome, opening remarks, housekeeping
Leila Steed, D&Ri Editor and WDS Programme Organiser

09.05 EDA Official Welcome
Stefano Panseri, President, European Demolition Association

09.10 Enhancing Circularity Through Strategic Demolition Practices
Barbro Brattstom Grujovic, circular working practices expert, Business Developer at Skanska

09.40 KEYNOTE: Modern Thinking
Mark Coleman, CEO, Colemans – 2023 Best of the Best Award winner

10.10 – Coffee & Networking Break, sponsored by Volvo

Session 2
11.10 Demolition Engineering: Managing Safety and Reducing Risks in Power Plant Demolitions
Mahesh Bailakanavar PhD CFEI, Vice President of Applied Science Practices, Thornton Tomasetti

11.40 A critical look at the new EU Asbestos at Work Directive
Dr Yvonne Waterman, Founder, European Asbestos Forum

12.10 - Lunch & Networking Break, sponsored by Volvo 

Sesson 3
13.30 The Gyda Recycling Project
Bengt Borgen Hildisch, Senior Vice President of Decommissioning, Aker Solutions

14.00 The Implications of the New Law on Selective Demolition
Henrik Bonnesen, Project Director, COWI, and Jan Rohde, Director and Founder, GreenDozer

14.30 – Coffee & Networking Break, sponsored by Volvo

Session 4
15.15 Nuclear Restoration Services’s biggest nuclear decommissiong projects 
Ashley White, Programme Manager, NRS, and John Turp, Programme Manager, NRS

15.45 Foundations of Leadership and Lessons Learned in Demolition
Frank Bodami, Owner, Total Wrecking and Environmental

16.15 Final closing remarks
Leila Steed, D&Ri Editor and WDS Programme Organiser

16.35 Close of conference

*Please note, presentation speakers, timings and topics are subject to change