Renewable Energy Installer February 2015 | Page 25

Knowledge: Ecobuild
Going behind the scenes
As we gear up for the 11th Ecobuild, organisers UBM opens its doors to REI to ask
that all important question – what exactly does it take to deliver the world’s largest
showcase of renewable energy solutions? Alison Jackson, group director of
sustainability & construction, reveals all
Join the crowd:
Now in its 11th
year, planning
for Ecobuild
begins up to 12
months prior
to opening its
doors to visitors
in March
hink back to the first ever rock concert you attended – the
intoxicating atmosphere created by the lights, sounds and
most of all, the crowd of people all there for one common
cause. Whilst B2B trade events may not be quite as
glamorous, the strict planning, communications and delivery is much
the same, as is our audience - a set of peers with a common goal, albeit
to learn and procure the latest products and solutions from across the
renewables market.
T
Coming alive
A live event needs a team of lively, passionate people and that’s exactly
what we have at Ecobuild! Our 30-strong team works tirelessly all
year round to make sure Ecobuild delivers an environment where
visitors can not only source and learn about the very latest renewable
solutions, but also experience an enjoyable environment whilst they are
there.
From a live showcase of the very latest renewable technologies
and business advice over on Plumb Center’s Practical Installer, to the
purpose-built Solar City and Green Energy theatres packed to the
rafters across the three days, Ecobuild is a year-round occupation.
Staged annually at London’s ExCeL, Ecobuild’s show floor is
meticulously planned to help visitors navigate the event and exhibitors
to receive a good flow of potential buyers. This year, we have split
the show into two distinct areas of which energy now accounts for a
whopping 50 percent of the floor plan. This is the work of marketing,
operations, sales and the team at ExCeL to ensure the event is well
signposted, that a logical layout is achieved and there is a good mix of
product, education and networking space.
A common misconception from those not working in the live
events industry is that we rock up at ExCeL, plug in a few lights
and off we go. Simply providing the electrics and infrastructure to
display the thousands of sustainable design, construction and energy
solutions from over 800 companies is no mean feat. And that’s without
supporting the development and implementation of space-only stands
whereby exhibitors bring their own installation on site.
Over on Practical Installer for example, creative lighting rigs, stage
designs and private break-out meeting spaces are all works of art
between Plumb Center, stand contractors and the Ecobuild team.
The reality is that we are actually working with a completely blank
canvass. Imagine opening the doors on a huge empty warehouse.
From floor plan layout to the exact positions of power points, lighting
rigs and flooring, each must be painstakingly mapped out to showcase
products professionally. Our operations team make their way up to
ExCeL a whole two weeks before the show even opens to deliver this!
Ten years after
If that wasn’t enough on the deliverables, the entire conference and
seminar programme is also put together in-house, from sourcing
celebrities and industry experts, to the specific topics they cover and
the panels they participate in.
We are immensely proud of Ecobuild and the feedback we receive
from installers that we do deliver the marketplace for renewables in
the UK.
Starting out as a small ‘green construction’ conference for just
a few hundred people at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane,
Ecobuild a decade on truly is the UK’s premier energy event and we
really hope to see you there this March! Visit www.ecobuild.co.uk to
register for your complimentary ticket today.
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