Call for Speakers: 2025 World Demolition Summit to Focus on Sustainability, Quality & Legacy

12 February 2025

The 2025 World Demolition Summit (WDS) is now accepting speaker proposals. This year鈥檚 conference will explore sustainability, quality, and legacy, focusing on cutting-edge projects, technical developments and innovations, and best practices shaping the future of demolition and decommissioning.

WDS 2025 logo

The organisers of the 2025 World Demolition Summit (WDS) have opened the call for speakers, inviting professionals from demolition, decommissioning, decontamination, recycling, and related industries to submit proposals for the event鈥檚 conference programme.

This year鈥檚 WDS, which will take place from the 3 to 5 November in Nashville, US, will highlight the industry鈥檚 commitment to sustainable practices, enhanced quality standards, and long-term business and environmental resilience.

Speakers will have the opportunity to share insights on key topics such as advanced demolition techniques, environmental responsibility, and the lasting impact of major projects on communities and infrastructure.

WDS Programme Organiser, Leila Steed, said: 鈥漁ver the years, we鈥檝e been privileged to host incredible speakers from around the world. They have shared knowledge that was not just insightful but provided real, practical value to contractors鈥攕omething that remains essential for us.鈥�

鈥淲e want attendees to leave saying: 鈥�I never thought about taking down a bridge that way before,鈥� or 鈥�If we don鈥檛 tackle this issue, we鈥檒l be left behind,鈥� or even 鈥�Many contractors are adopting this approach鈥擨 need to rethink my business strategy.鈥欌赌�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e looking for speakers who can deliver real-world insights鈥攚hether on project execution, business strategy, technological advancements, or safety and operational lessons. Our goal is to help demolition and recycling professionals raise standards, enhance capabilities, and better prepare for the future.鈥�

Professionals are invited to submit case studies and technical presentations on topics such as (but not limited to):

  • Developments and approaches to sustainable demolition and recycling
  • Advances in quality assurance and safety standards
  • Lessons learned from landmark demolitions and long-term project impact
  • Regulatory changes and evolving best practices
  • Procurement strategies and planning for large-scale projects

With an audience of global demolition and C&D waste recycling contractors, engineers, and industry leaders, WDS 2025 offers a high-profile platform to share knowledge, spark discussions, and shape the sector鈥檚 future.

The role of WDS Speaker is an unpaid position, and speaker presentations must be 25 minutes long, and will be followed by 5 minutes of audience Q&A.

Interested speakers should submit a proposal outlining their presentation topic, key takeaways, and relevance to the industry to WDS Programme Organiser Leila Steed at [email protected].   

Past WDS Speakers

Previous speakers at the World Demolition Summit have included:

Massimo Baraldi, CEO at Ferraro Group
Maximiliano Maurino, COO at Grup Mitre
Dennis McGarel, VP at Brandenburg
Kelly Veit, CEO at Veit & Company
Scott Laird, Project Manager at Independence Excavating
Holly Price, Group Sustainability Director at Keltbray
Tom Koerner, Operations Director at Thompsons of Prudhoe
Brian Priestly, Executive VP of Operations at Priestly Demolition Inc
Mark Loizeaux, CEO of Controlled Demolition Inc
Mark Coleman, CEO of Colemans
Frank Bodami, Owner of Total Wrecking & Environmental
Henrik Bonnesen, Project Director at COWI
Ashley White, Programme Manager at Nuclear Restoration Services (formerly Magnox)

For more information about WDS 2025, visit

Save the Date: World Demolition Summit 2025 17th iteration, including the World Demolition Awards, to take place in Nashville, US.
STAY CONNECTED

Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Andy Brown Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786224 E-mail: [email protected]
Neil Gerrard Senior Editor, Editorial, UK - Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 7355 092 771 E-mail: [email protected]
Catrin Jones Editor, Editorial, UK 鈥� Wadhurst Tel: +44 (0) 791 2298 133 E-mail: [email protected]
Eleanor Shefford Brand Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 236 E-mail: [email protected]