CIWM and ESA delighted at Futuresource success

The chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Steve Lee, told letsrecycle.com that the event, which the CIWM organised with the Environmental Services Association (ESA) had succeeded in creating a “high profile, European showcase” for the waste sector.

Over the course of three days, from June 9-11, Futuresource attracted thousands of visitors and heard from the likes of environment secretary Hilary Benn and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (see letsrecycle.com story), on the major issues affecting the waste management sector, in the UK, Europe and further afield. Mr Benn even used the event to unveil the government's new Packaging Strategy and work on food date labels (see letsrecycle.com story).

And, on Tuesday (June 9), the event was visited by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who attended a special lunch with key waste industry figures before being shown around the large exhibition space.

Mr Lee said: “CIWM and ESA are delighted with the response we have had from the waste and resource management sector to the launch of Futuresource conference and exhibition at ExCeL London. Our aim was to create a high profile, European showcase for this industry, providing a fitting platform for both the latest thinking and the latest technology – and I believe we have achieved this.

“Our exhibitors have told us that the visitors were of a very high calibre and there was a lot of business done on the stands. Even with the tube strike, it was busy and there was a genuine buzz in the air,” he added.

High-profile

Mr Lee claimed that the visits by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Mayor Johnson, and the “quality” of the conference speakers demonstrated “the benefits of being in London”.

With over 300 exhibitors in total, the Futuresource exhibition gave all the event's visitors the chance to see the latest products and developments within all aspects of the resource management sector – from composting to consulting.

And, on the Tuesday night (June 9), many delegates were lucky enough to attend a gala dinner to celebrate the launch of the new event and network with friends and peers, with entertainment from comedian Dominic Holland and a live band.

RWF

On Wednesday and Thursday, letsrecycle.com's Recycling and Waste Forum (RWF) 2009 was held alongside the Futuresource event, with key government, local authority and private sector figures speaking on subjects ranging from WEEE and battery recycling to the markets for recovered materials.

There was also a Pub Quiz on the Thursday night at The Fox, which was hosted by TV personality Roy Walker.

Speaking about the success of the RWF Forum, letsrecycle.com editor Steve Eminton said: “We had a brilliant two days with lots of interesting and informative discussions about some of the most important issues affecting the waste and recycling sector today.”