The M&E Marketplace
The way businesses run their buildings has changed beyond all recognition over the past few decades. Environmentally conscious, sustainable practises have become the norm, where once they were regarded with cynicism by some. While governmental pressure and incentives to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency has helped promote the concept, the resulting economic savings have provided the biggest carrot for company owners.
Electrical product manufacturers have also hit upon a rich seam of revenue through promoting the energy efficient lines in their catalogues, making the drive towards more energy efficient operations beneficial for pretty much everyone involved. Everything from lighting and heating, through to AC, hand dryers and IT systems have the potential to be improved both economically and ecologically, and as a result the wave of new products entering the market can seem overwhelming.
Trade shows offer an invaluable opportunity to get up close and personal with brand new, innovative products on the market as well as the chance to speak with the people who design and manufacture them. Supported by CIBSE, ECA and HVCA, M&E, the UK's only dedicated building services event will expand on the great success of last year by offering further innovative features, complementary educational content and industry renowned exhibitors.
The event is part of Working Buildings 2009 which is comprised of three co-located events: M&E; Total Workplace Management, the UK's largest FM and estates event and Energy Solutions Expo, the UK's fastest growing energy management event.
Hundreds of the industry's leading companies will be showcasing their latest developments at the extensive exhibition including Baxi Commercial Heating, Vent Axia, Comelit Group S.p.a, ADT Fire & Security Plc and Buderus.
Education will play a central role at M&E with two dedicated seminar theatres hosting informative free-of-charge educational programmes. The Training Academy, sponsored by SummitSkills, returns for 2009 to host the Sustainable Reality Seminar Series - a new programme of seminars looking at whether sustainability is achievable in an economic downturn. Topics will include:
Can Sustainability Mean Profitability for M&E?
The Business Case for Low Carbon Projects
Maintaining Skills & Employability
The Principles of Part L 2010
BREEAM In-Use
Greening the Building Envelope
Numerous industry renowned names will be presenting over the two days, including:
Stephen Matthews, Chief Executive, CIBSE
Robert Higgs, Chief Executive, HVCA
Rod Pettigrew, Deputy Chief Executive, HVCA
Mervyn Bowden, Energy Manager, Marks and Spencer
Ian Shaw, Environmental & Energy Officer, London Fire Brigade
Barry Knight, Strategic Design Advice Manager, Carbon Trust
Martin Townsend, Director of BREEAM, BRE
The CPD Theatre will allow visitors to receive valuable CPD points when they hear from accredited exhibitors about their latest products and technological innovations. Earth Energy, Vent Axia, Thermo Floor and EcoCooling are amongst those presenting.
As the industry evolves, so does M&E to ensure visitors are able to address all their professional needs under one roof. M&E has therefore introduced new and innovative feature areas for 2009 to complement the established mainstays of the event. One such feature is Be2Camp at Working Buildings - a facilitated, participant-driven conference centered within Web 2.0 and the built environment. This two day "unconference" will be divided into four themed participative sessions. Within each theme, topics will be selected by the prospective audiences, with a running order emerging in the weeks and days running up to the event. Visitors will be able to suggest the topics, volunteer to speak and nominate speakers.
The interactive feature "Workplace of the Future", sponsored by FX and FMX, will showcase the latest products and innovations for making the workplace more efficient whilst remaining sustainable and cost effective. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk inside tomorrow's workplaces and view room builds for a reception area, plant room, office space and a future school.
The prestigious Working Buildings Innovation Awards, in association with PFM magazine, will once again take centre stage at this year's event by celebrating innovation and business excellence in the effective and efficient management of a working building. The awards, which are free to enter for M&E exhibitors, will be handed out for the following categories:
Best innovation in green product or service
Best innovation in energy management
Best innovation in FM services
Best innovation in building services
Best product innovation
Best innovation in health & safety
London workplace of the year
Deadline for entries is Friday 4th September and the awards will be presented to the winning companies at a ceremony on Wednesday 10th October.
Finally, AMPS - Power Pavilion, in association with IP&EE, returns to M&E 2009. This dedicated pavilion will showcase exhibitors offering solutions to the growing needs of energy users across a variety of sectors.
Adrian Newton, Portfolio Director for Safety and Building Management at UBM Live, organisers of M&E - The Building Services Event, said: "M&E has been hugely successful since its inception five years ago and has consistently provided the industry with a platform to grow. With the remit of M&E professionals constantly evolving, we have ensured that the event reflects the industry and allows our visitors to address their professional needs. We have therefore expanded this year's event to include a raft of new features such as Be2Camp and the Sustainable Reality Seminar Series."
Follow M&E - The Building Services Event on Twitter for the most up-to-date information: http://twitter.com/MandE_Expo
For more information, please visit http://www.buildingservicesevent.com/. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact Mark Rimmer on +44 (0) 207 921 8148, mark.rimmer@ubm.com or Anne-Marie Dickinson on +44 (0) 207 560 4116, anne-marie.dickinson@ubm.com.