The Resource and Waste Management (RWM) exhibition, in partnership with CIWM, is to move to larger halls from 2014 to ‘meet increased demand and support growth in the future’.
Organised by i2i events, RWM aims to find resource efficiency and waste management solutions, and is the largest annual waste management industry event in the UK.
New location for RWM 2014
The 2014 event will run from 16-18 September (along with partner environment shows, The Energy Event, The Renewables Event and The Water Event (taking place 16-17 September)), and will be held in Halls 3-5 of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The 2013 event was held in Halls 17-20.
The news comes following a ‘strong’ 2013 event (10-12 September), which saw more than 13,000 ‘unaudited’ visitors, 150 speakers, and over 750 exhibitors attend.
Dan Thurlow, Portfolio Director for Environment Events at i2i Events Group, explained: “RWM has again been incredibly well received. The calibre of speakers and the in-depth conference programme, which has been a key focus of investment from the i2i Event Group, in addition to the exhibitors and the variety of products and innovations on show was fantastic, our best yet!
“We’ve had a hugely positive response to the event, which was backed up by a huge demand for space next year and a record-breaking re-book on site, which truly demonstrates the strength of commitment to the future growth of RWM.
“Based on the show’s growth, we are changing location within the NEC next year, with RWM moving into a large space that is more appropriate to an event of this size. The event is moving into the NEC’s largest exhibition space, Halls 4 and 5 to meet the growing demand for space at RWM.”
Summary of 2013 event
This year’s event saw exhibitors showcase products, new technologies and services aimed at improving efficiencies in the waste and resources sector.
The three-day event also saw talks held at four theatres: the Leaders Arena, the Energy-from-Waste Theatre, the Local Authority Theatre, and the Commerce and Industry Theatre.
Speakers included: Lord Robert Winston, whose talk ‘How humans think: how are we motivated to improve the world around us?’ covered mankind’s need to create, and the impact that has the environment; Tristram Stuart, who spoke about the global food waste scandal; and Andy Higham, Head of the Environment Agency’s National Crime Team, who spoke about how the body is acting on waste crime. The Environment Agency also previewed the new online waste transfer note system, Edoc, to visitors at RWM.
Other talks included 'Designing for a circular economy in consumer electronics - key research findings for improving recyclability and reuse potential', Chaired by Resource Editor Libby Peake, and 'Innovative approaches to the circular economy', Chaired by Resource Media's CEO, Charles Newman (who also Chaired the discussion 'Recovering value from waste vs. sustainable practice - which approach to waste as a resource will win the day?').
Waste management company Biffa addressed the problem of rough sleepers being injured in waste bins, with a new communications strategy in partnership with CIWM and Streetlink. Biffa also launched a new waste and recycling consultancy, R3MC, at the event.
Panel discussions were held at the Communications Hub (delivered by Copper Consultancy in partnership with SLR Consulting and the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group), and included case studies and advice on good communications practice, including media advice.
Visitors also heard about the new Environment Agency-led EU LIFE+ programme EQual, which aims to encourage the use of products made from waste. A prototype of its first online support tool was demonstrated throughout the exhibition.
Steve Lee, Chief Executive of RWM partner CIWM, commented: “Once again, the waste and resource management industry came together at the NEC to do business, gain insight into key trends and issues from a wealth of expert commentators, and network with colleagues and contacts.
“The level of innovation on display and the liveliness of the conference panel debates show how vibrant and forward-looking this sector is and how important a contribution it can make to the resource efficiency and security agenda. With so many exhibitors and visitors from all over Europe and beyond, the show has also firmly established itself as the leading annual European event for waste and resource management.”
Read more about RWM.
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