Event News

RWM IS THE LEADING SHOWCASE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

This year’s Recycling & Waste Management exhibition (RWM 08) attracted more visitors and exhibitors than ever before, confirming its place as the number one recycling and waste management exhibition in the UK.

Initial figures (subject to audit) show that 9, 028 people visited RWM 08 which took place at the Birmingham NEC from 16 to 18 September. This represents a 12.4% increase on the record attendance figures achieved for RWM 07. Stand space was sold out with 500 exhibitors, over half of whom have already re-booked to return in 2009.

Inside the exhibition halls, visitors could attend free seminars in three separately themed theatres (Local Authority, Business and Talking Climate Change) and meet with companies demonstrating the latest technologies on their stands. Accordingly RWM provided exhibitors with the perfect environment to meet prospective customers obtain sales leads and, in many cases, sign lucrative new contracts!

Bill Brown, director of Mailbox Mouldings said: “RWM is a very successful exhibition for us.  In 2007 we acquired £140,000 of business specifically from customers we met here and 2008 is shaping up to be equally successful. Over the last couple of days we’ve talked to around 200 people, almost none of whom I’ve met before, which is exactly why we came – to meet people we don’t already know.”

Don Peters, marketing director of Lockwood Space Saver which launched at the show said: “This show has been brilliant for us – we’ve had a really tremendous response. We’ve handed out around 150 information packs and gained nearly 40 top rate leads which look extremely positive, from health centres to schools and sports arenas. The staff and the organisation which has gone into the show has been first rate – RWM have done a fantastic job.”

Meanwhile visitors enjoyed a long awaited Indian summer in the outdoor exhibition area where a record number of plant and vehicle demonstrations took place. Paul Knibbs, general manager, WCR Municipal Hire said: “On the first day we were still talking to customers on our stand long after the show closed. We’ve received some great leads this year, including one for 27 vehicles! Exhibiting at RWM also gives us a chance to check out latest technology first hand, which gives us a competitive advantage.”

News of cutting edge technologies launched at the show made it into the national, business and regional media and highlights from the show were broadcast on RWM TV around the exhibition halls, on a dedicated website and in NEC hotels.

Peter Jones OBE, a member of Boris Johnson’s recently formed London Waste & Recycling Board and a former director of Biffa who has been visiting RWM for many years said: “What’s hit me this year is the sheer scale both in terms of the area and the diversity of the representation. We are seeing a lot of companies that are linked in with the conventional engineering sector and it’s great now that waste and materials management is becoming mainstream.”

RWM’s strong reputation as a leading showcase for the recycling and waste management sector drew many visitors from overseas. Among them was Chavdar Georgiev, the deputy minister for environment and water in Bulgaria  who had come to the show to find out about best practice   in waste management and environmental protection.
  
  Behind the scenes organisers were keen to minimise the environmental impact   of the exhibition itself. Dry waste segregated by exhibitors and visitors at   the recycling points provided by Straight was compacted and baled by Mil-tek   in the dedicated RWM Recycling Centre, while 390 litres of food waste collected   from the NEC’s catering outlets was processed onsite by Accelerated Compost.   
  
  Event manager Gerry Sherwood said: “It was a year of records with more visitors,   exhibitors, seminars and demonstrations than ever before. That success has translated   into a really promising start to RWM 09 with hundreds of exhibitors signed up   already, and many booking much larger stands. Green industries continue to thrive   despite the current economic climate and with its strong track record, RWM provides   the perfect showcase for them.”
  
  RWM 09 will take place from 15 to 17 September 2009 at the Birmingham NEC. Entry   remains free of charge. For more information visit www.rwminfo.com
  
  Ends.
  
   Press information:
  Anna Dunbar, Iona Communications Ltd, Tel: 01892 512481 or   07917 222810
  E-mail: anna@ionacommunications.com
  
  Doug Bentall, Iona Communications Ltd, Tel: 01732 360915 or 07799 615319
  Email: doug@ionacommunications.com
  
About Emap Connect: 

Emap Connect houses the UK’s biggest exhibitions portfolio plus the world’s most powerful advertising festival,   Cannes Lions. Exhibition brands include RWM, Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Premier   Kids, Interbuild and BETT. Emap Connect facilitates face-to-face interaction   for business communities, either to buy and sell things, to share knowledge   or to scrutinise new business ideas. See www.emap.com