Clearview Midlands January 2014 - Issue 146 | Page 23

EVENTNEWS NEW RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED BRE has been selected as the official Research and Innovation Partner of Ecobuild (www. ecobuild.co.uk) - the world’s largest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, taking place at London’s ExCeL from 4 to 6 March 2014. The partnership will see BRE conduct a range of research initiatives in the lead up to and during the event including the launch of the Ecobuild Academic Forum - a research paper assessing the impact of the built environment on wellbeing, which will be launched at Ecobuild 2014. Following research conducted at Ecobuild 2013 revealing that 93% of visitors participated in some form of learning at the event, BRE is working with its global network to help define the highly anticipated content programme at Ecobuild 2014. BRE’s CEO Dr Peter Bonfield is already confirmed to tackle the widely debated topic of ‘Nature - market opportunity or legislative burden?’ Alison Jackson, Group Director of Sustainability & Construction, Ecobuild, said: “Our strategic partnership with BRE marks an exciting time for Ecobuild, enabling us to remain at the forefront of knowledge transfer year round. BRE’s established track record for authoritative, impartial research, combined with Ecobuild’s reputation as a world-class platform for knowledge, debate and discussion will create a unique force for driving change across the sustainable built environment.” As a lead supporter of Ecobuild, BRE will be showcasing its wide range of products and services on its biggest stand ever. The prestigious BREEAM Awards will also take place once again at Ecobuild on Tuesday 4th March 2014. STRIVING TO ACHIEVE ISO 20121 STANDARD FOR SUSTAINABLE EVENT MANAGEMENT Championing best practice for sustainability, Ecobuild (www.ecobuild.co.uk), the wor ld’s leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, is striving to achieve the ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management System certification. Forming part of owner UBM Live Built Environment’s strategy for continual improvement of its sustainable performance, Ecobuild’s team are looking at the environment, community and economic sides of sustainability ahead of the 2014 event (4th – 6th March 2014, ExCeL London). Helping to ensure that Ecobuild leaves a positive legacy behind, Ecobuild is concentrating on reduction of the carbon impact of the show this year, with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint by better management of resources and sourcing more sustainable options. Alison Jackson, Group Director of Sustainability & Construction, Ecobuild, said: “Being the leading sustainable construction and design event, we must be at the forefront of sustainability ourselves and walk the walk. We recognise the social and environmental impacts of our own activities as organisers of Ecobuild and ISO 20121 can help to manage this impact.” Another challenge set to the team is to address the volume of waste created by the event. This will firstly involve a reduction in the amount of waste that is generated and secondly, an increase in the proportion of waste which is recycled. Alison continues: “One change we have made already is the way we will build the show, changing the design of our shell scheme stands to reduce material use.” FIT SHOW LAUNCHES MASTER FITTER CHALLENGE FOR 2014… and asks installers: Just How Good Do You Think You Are? This year’s inaugural FIT Show proved its credentials as the event for the people in the front line of the window, door and conservatory industry through the first ever Master Fitter Challenge in association with FENSA, the ultimate test of installation skills. For June 2014 the format will be similar: during the first two days of The FIT Show (Telford, June 10, 11, 12 2014) eight installers will work to strict criteria established by assessors GQA in association with Andy Clegg of Fenestration College. They will be expected to install a window and a residential door, with the additional ‘tripping hazard’ of a resi’ door that has some devious faults built in. The To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com tests are not about outright speed, but fast and efficient installation whilst observing installation best practice, health and safety procedures and of course, great customer-care. And of course, all under the watchful gaze of their peers, thousands of visitors to The FIT Show. The winner will walk away with £5,000, with £3,000 and £2,000 for the second and third places respectively. Winners will be announced during the FIT Show Gala dinner. ‘Winner will walk away with £5,000’ Full details at: www.fitshow. co.uk JAN 2014 23