Meabh Smith is the Construction Industry Federation’s Director of Communications
As we enter 2025, the new year offers a renewed energy to build on the momentum of our communications.
Addressing the housing crisis and infrastructure gaps have remained central to CIF’s communications agenda and will continue to be key priorities this year.
Tackling these challenges demands sustained efforts to spotlight key industry issues such as, delays in the planning system, a shortage of zoned land, and the critical need for a clear and actionable project pipeline.
Meanwhile, we will support the sector’s overarching commitment to futureproofing our workforce, achieving sustainability goals, and promoting the highest safety standards, as core industry priorities, across our digital channels.
The Irish media remains highly engaged with the construction sector, recognising the critical role our members play in addressing the housing crisis and advancing infrastructure development.
Our expertise and insights make us trusted contributors, with experienced commentators from our directorates frequently sought after to share member-driven solutions and perspectives across national platforms.
CIF is fortunate to have a robust presence across digital platforms, with LinkedIn serving as a key hub for industry updates, insights, and meaningful discussions.
Our expanding social media presence on Instagram and TikTok allows us to connect with younger audiences through engaging video content and storytelling, broadening our reach and impact across diverse demographics.
Last year marked substantial growth in the federation’s communications reach, with year-on-year increases across both traditional and digital media on behalf of our members.
Building on this trajectory in 2025, we will further amplify the industry’s voice to advance key priorities.
A steady drumbeat of consistent communications will be crucial in ensuring that industry recommendations are at the forefront of public and policy discussions.
Our members are the foundation of all our efforts as a federation. Listening to your needs and keeping you informed and connected is central to our mission.
Over the next 12 months, we have a full calendar of unique member events and activities designed to keep you informed, engaged, and connected as part of your membership.
With events tailored for members across all regions, there’s something for everyone. And for those who are not members or corporate partners, we encourage you to join us.
A highlight in early 2025 is our International Women’s Day Summit on March 7. This event gathers leading female industry experts for dynamic discussions on construction.
Beyond the day, it underscores the vital role of attracting female talent to help the sector grow, with strong digital media visibility emphasising that women are welcome and essential to our industry.
Following closely is our Housebuilding Summit, which brings the housing sector together for a full day focused on addressing the country’s critical housing shortages.
With its high-profile status and significant attention, the summit serves as a pivotal platform for cross-sector dialogue and positioning effective industry solutions.
May will be a landmark month for the federation as we celebrate our 90th anniversary. This milestone will be commemorated throughout the month and beyond, featuring prominently in our engagements and communications.
Also, that month, Southern Construct will bring our members and stakeholders together to explore developments and policies aimed at fostering a thriving construction industry and growth in the region.
Regional members play a vital role in the success of our industry, and to support this, we will host networking events throughout the year in Galway, the North West, the South East and the Mid West to build connections and collaboration at the local level.
Coming into autumn, we will be focused on Budget ’26 through our pre-budget submission process, a key time for the sector. The highlight of our events calendar, the Annual Conference, will take place in September.
This year’s conference will be particularly special as we mark our 90th birthday.
October will focus entirely on safety with our annual Construction Safety Campaign. As the industry’s top priority, safety inspires outstanding cross-sector initiatives during this important time.
Behind the scenes of this busy calendar, we will be hard at work developing a brand-new digital services platform for members.
With digital transformation as a key industry priority, this platform will serve as an online hub for all your information and training needs. Designed to reshape how you access our services, it will be intuitive, responsive, and grounded in robust user experience research.
The communications team is here to support and amplify our members’ agenda. We look forward to partnering with you in 2025 to build a stronger voice and an even more united community, on your behalf.
