09 July 2008

Developing Sustainable Event Management in England’s Northwest

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) together with the Manchester International Festival and Positive Impact will this week be holding a half day seminar exploring best practice in Sustainable Event Management.

Taking place at the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester, the event will examine how Sustainable Event Management can improve the social, economic and environmental impacts of events, from sports to culture to conferences.

The seminar will be held on Friday 11 July 2008, 9am – 1pm and will introduce the new British Standard in Sustainable Event Management, BS 8901; give practical advice on how to be more sustainable; and, offer opportunities to hear approaches taken by local and national event managers on sustainable development.

Speakers will include David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability for the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Emma Wellman, Manager, Earls Court and Olympia, Fiona Pelham, Chair of BS 8901 and Director of Positive Impact and Jennifer Cleary, Head of Creative Learning, Manchester International Festival.

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing, NWDA said:

“England’s Northwest has a vast experience for supporting and co-ordinating a large number of high profile events that have successfully placed the region in a positive light. In order to remain a sustainable economic force it is important that we recognise how events impact on the environment and learn how to make provisions for all types of events in the future.”

Delegates can register for the event at www.nwda.co.uk/sustainableevents

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Notes to editors:

For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk

Event Timetable

9.00am  Registration and refreshments

9.30am  Welcome and introduction by NWDA / Manchester International Festival (MIF)
- Vision for sustainability in the Northwest
- NWDA support for sustainable practice 
- MIF trial of BS 8901

9.40am  Sustainability: Positive Impact, Fiona Pelham 
- Sustainability principles / key elements
- Local/regional/national environment for sustainability

10.00am  Keynote speaker - David Stubbs, Head of Sustainability at LOCOG
- Sustainable vision for London Olympic Games
- Practical Implementation
- International impact
- Implications for business

10.30am  Refreshment break

10.50am  BS 8901: Emma Wellman, EC & O
-  Background to the standard
- What the standard is
- How to implement it / benefits
-  Future of the standard

11.10am  Manchester International Festival trial of BS 8901
Jennifer Cleary, Head of Creative Learning

11.30am  Practical steps to becoming more sustainable: Positive Impact, Fiona Pelham
- Resources and what to do next

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life