Farming Monthly National June 2016 | Page 43

| Energy Standing room only at edie Live 2016 In May, thousands of sustainability professionals from an array of industry sectors – ranging from retail to water management, fashion to engineering – flocked to edie Live at the NEC to access the most innovative products on the market and to find inspiration from leading speakers. he show was colocated with Utility Week Live and attracted 6,019 visitors across both shows*. Ticket holders were queuing out of the door, and it was standing room only in seminar and conference theatres. Angela Himus, edie Portfolio Director, Faversham House, said: “The buzz has been fantastic. edie Live is the only exhibition in the UK that covers sustainability in business in its entirety and there was something here for everyone.” Exhibitors agreed. David Williams, Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, said: “edie Live has been really busy, and we have had great engagement with potential new customers.” More than 130 companies showcased their innovations, products and services, including solar PV, standards certification, carbon management, energy efficient lighting, water efficiency and wind power. 120 expert speakers hosted T www.farmingmonthly.co.uk sessions across four theatres. These included practical seminar programmes dedicated to energy efficiency, on site solutions and resource efficiency, plus half-day conferences on strategic issues for sustainability leaders. The show was packed with exciting new features including technology showcases and advice clinics, as well as the popular innovation zone where new products compete for investment. Seminar Chair Peter Jones OBE described edie Live as integral to the development of the sustainability industry and debate: “What I like about edie Live is that it’s a one-stop shop for heat, electricity and water, as well as physical resources. Those industry sectors which were formerly segmented are now being brought together and, inevitably, you get the big hitters here.” The show had something for everyone across the spectrum of sustainability and energy management, whether it was WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and Nimber discussing new business models, or the Carbon Trust and Costa Coffee analysing energy reduction initiatives at the Energy Efficiency theatre. Mark Collinson, WRAP Sector Specialist said: “I find that edie has got a more holistic view to sustainability. It’s not just about energy or waste; it’s not just about business; it’s about how people can look at the bigger picture, what sustainability means to business and what sustainability means moving forward.” With the exhibition floor plan filling up fast for 2017, edie Live is set for another successful year. As conference Chair David Symonds of Aldersgate Group said: “edie Live just has a reputation for being the event for the sustainability professional to come along to.” *2,462 edie Live visitors June 2016 | Farming Monthly | 43