Must-Attend Events at the Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference

The International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference is only weeks away, but it’s not too late to register and enjoy some of the most anticipated events.

As building safety professionals are finishing up any last-minute travel plans, the Code Council has curated a list of all the conference highlights to look forward to. From first-time conference goers to conference veterans, below are fan-favorite events and some new additions you won’t want to miss!

First-Timers Program

Navigate your first conference with confidence! This program includes a virtual orientation that overviews the conference and schedule, key events and provides tips and tricks to help make the most out of your conference experience. During the conference, a first-timer-only exclusive mixer will take place where participants can meet each other and speak to conference veterans.

Contact Tamika Dunning for all first-timer questions and assistance.

Annual Ron Burton Golf Outing

Sunday, Oct. 8 from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. (8 a.m. tee off) at the Stonewolf Golf Club

Hosted by the Past Presiding Officers of the Code Council, this annual outing is a great opportunity to connect with Code Council members and expand your network. Stonewolf is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, meaning that retired professional golfer Nicklaus had an active hand in the total design and construction of the course. Stonewolf is one of only four Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Illinois and Missouri.

Check Out a Tiny Home on the Expo Floor

The Expo, which will be held from October 8 to 9, provides a networking environment where exhibitors can meet face-to-face with building safety professionals and demonstrate the latest innovations –including a model tiny home at Booth #705.

Click here for the Expo schedule and the most up-to-date floor plan.

Veterans Community Project Volunteer Outing

Conference attendees have the opportunity to volunteer at the Veterans Community Project campus. Volunteers will aid in cleaning up the tiny home village that provides veterans with the tools necessary to return to a stable, prosperous and independent life. Along with housing, the Veterans Community Project provides additional services to veterans in need, including food and hygiene kits, legal services, credit repair and financial assistance.

This event is hosted by the Code Council’s Military Families Program. Bus transportation to and from the tiny home community, lunch and a complimentary volunteer shirt will be provided to volunteers.

Sign up to volunteer.  

Building Tours

Sunday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Building Tour #1 – St. Louis Architectural Tour (Full Day) – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

This tour starts with a drive through Downtown St. Louis to view historical landmarks and buildings. The Gateway Arch marks the first stop on this tour, and attendees can also experience the tram ride 630 feet above the Mississippi River. Also included in this tour is a survey of Union Station’s Grand Hall and a stop at the New Cathedral. The St. Louis Architectural Tour ends at the Mosaic Museum with a gift shop visit.

SEE RELATED: Gateway Arch Invites Code Council Conference Attendees to Visit the Nation’s Tallest Monument

Building Tour #2 – Veterans Community Project: A Tiny House Village (Half Day) – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m 

This tour includes visiting the five-acre property in the heart of St. Louis known as the Veterans Community Project (VCP). Though still under construction, the property consists of 50 tiny homes, ranging from 240 to 320 sq. feet and the VCP Community Center. The project was designed to help homeless veterans transition to permanent housing. Attendees will get the opportunity to tour one of the tiny model homes and discuss how the code applies to the construction and development of tiny homes.  

Building Tour #3 – Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Facility & Training Center (Half Day) – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Union has had significant involvement in the Fire Life Safety Codes in the St. Louis area. Featuring an onsite two-story mockup at their training facility, this tour demonstrates the proper fire damper installation and possible outcomes of their failure. Attendees will also get to experience a smoke machine demonstration that shows the life-saving results of the proper use of fire dampers. This tour ends with a classroom presentation and a tour of the Sheet Metal Workers LEED Platinum facility and training center. 

Find out more information on each of these building tours on the Education page. 

Welcome to St. Louis

Sunday, Oct. 8 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Ballpark Village

Brought to you by the Host Chapter, Missouri Association of Building and Fire Officials (MABFO), American Gas Association and Clariti, this event allows conference goers the opportunity to enjoy a night of food and games. Though first proposed in 1990, Ballpark Village was not officially built until 2014. It serves as St. Louis’ first development designed to convey excitement of the game day experience outside of stadium walls. St. Louis credits the area as its most important development of the past decade. Ballpark Village is recognized for its quality, scale, creative design and community impact.

SEE RELATED: America’s Center Welcomes the International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference

Opening Session & Annual Business Meeting

Monday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Archistar, the Opening Session will feature keynote speaker Tamara Robertson, engineer, STEM advocate and star of the MythBusters television show. The Annual Business Meeting will include updates from association leadership and voting for Code Council Board Officers. Participants will receive 0.2 CEUs for the Annual Business Meeting.

Bridge Building Challenge

Monday, Oct. 9 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. 

Will conference goers leave friends or rivals? Enter this engineering challenge and see who will emerge as the 2023 Bridge Building Challenge champion!  Join us to build bridges against your colleagues for bragging rights and glory!

Register here.   

Stump the Bot

Sunday, Oct.8 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Experience the latest code intelligence and AI-powered tools from ICC Digital Codes Premium. Put your code knowledge to the test to beat the bot and score free Code Council hats, bags and shirts!

Visit the Code Council Resource Center where every player wins a prize!

Build-A-Bear

Sunday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 9 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Expo Hall 

Did you know that St. Louis is home of Build-A-Bear? Stop by the St. Louis Host Chapter Booth 101 to get your free Build-A-Bear stuffed animal. Supplies will be limited, so make this stop a priority. Plus, take a selfie with the official Build-A-Bear mascot, Bearemy – set to make a special guest appearance!

Headshot Cafe

Sunday, Oct. 8 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 9 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Expo Hall

Upgrade your social media and professional accounts with a new profile pic! This free professional headshot event is sponsored by ORACLE and is first come, first serve.

Connections Gala

Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Enjoy dinner and watch the installation of the Board of Directors and presentation of awards. This reception is sponsored by Lowe’s.

All This, and More!

These are just a few of the many fun events happening at the Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference.  More information on events and the complete conference agenda can be found here. The Code Council also has an ICC Conference App available for download that provides easy access to schedules and information. 

Already registered? Click here for our social media toolkit to help spread the word about this year’s conference.