Europe's leading resource and waste management event, RWM in partnership with CIWM, has proved its position as the undisputable place to be seen if you want to reach commercial and industrial waste producers based on its audited visitor figures. Waste producers from construction, facilities management, retailing, manufacturing and many other sectors now make up more than 30% of RWM's 13,000 strong audience, a year on year growth of 8% for this audience.
Julia Barrett, Director at Willmott Dixon Re-Thinking Ltd, the team responsible for sustainable solutions at the construction giant commented: "As a sector leader in resource efficiency, we at Willmott Dixon, always value the opportunity to engage with like-minded suppliers and contractors who can work with us to reduce our construction waste arisings.
"The RWM conference sessions, seminars and networking opportunities were invaluable in helping to keep us abreast of best practice, emerging policy and the innovations that will help us to achieve our ultimate aim of zero waste to landfill," added Barrett.
As well as coming to see the broad range of exhibiting companies, the producers of waste were also attracted by a comprehensive seminar programme with practical insights on how to manage their resources more profitably from experts and peers. Further investment in this conference programme is today confirmed for 2014, with access to the Commerce and Industry Theatre now dedicated exclusively to waste producers. The daily programme will provide advice, insight and case studies on how organisations can generate value from their waste.
Other visitors from large commercial and industrial sector organisations included Tesco, Carphone Warehouse, Balfour Beatty, Costa Coffee, Whitbread Group, Sodexo, Jaguar Landrover and many more.
Dan Thurlow, portfolio director for the environment events at i2i Events Group, including RWM in partnership with CIWM, said: "RWM 2014 is shaping up well with a record breaking re-book at the NEC in September and many booking more space next year to make the most of the larger halls - we're also seeing a strong demand from new exhibitors.
"Having acknowledged the growing demand from waste producers and the move towards the circular economy at previous editions of RWM, we're investing heavily in a strong conference programme to help them understand the opportunities and meet their organisation's targets."
Thurlow added, "With potential new revenue streams from waste, manufacturing, retail, farming and hospitality businesses in particular, alongside local authorities, those visitors will gain access to the knowledge and services to help them realise the potential in waste."
To harness the business power of the increasing number of expected visitors, 2014 will also see the introduction of the new Networking Theatre where attendees can book one-hour speed networking sessions to meet 12 potential partners and customers. The CIWM gala dinner, the industry's largest networking event of the year, also takes place on the second evening of RWM in partnership with CIWM, making it the lead destination to network with peers and customers.
Waste producer insight and information will also be covered in the other seminar theatres running at the event - the Energy from Waste Theatre, the Local Authority Theatre and the Leaders Theatre, which will all run alongside the industry exhibition that showcases products and services from over 750 exhibitors. Half of this year's exhibitors have already committed to 2014 and two thirds are increasing their booked space next year.
The RWM exhibition and conference is free to attend and takes place from 16 to 18 September 2014 in the larger halls of 4 to 5 at the NEC, Birmingham. The event is once again co-located with The Water Event, The Energy Event and The Renewables Event, all taking place on 16 and 17 September 2014 in hall 3. To register your interest in obtaining a complimentary ticket, which gives you free access to all four shows, please visit www.rwmexhibition.com. To enquire about exhibiting, please call 020 3033 2159 or email info@rwmexhibition.com.