After what has seemed a long winter, the sun shone on the East of England Arena and Event Centre (EEAEC) on 21st March. The AEV/AEO/ESSA Cross Association Sustainability and AEV eGuide Working Group meetings were both held in the naturally lit Peterborough Suite. Both groups enjoyed fine hospitality from our hosts.

The Cross Association Sustainability Working Group met in the morning and it was Tom Revell’s (GES) first meeting as chair and led the meeting with confidence. The lively team in attendance took benefit from the compact agenda which provided the structure for keen discussion surrounding energy usage, event breakdown waste management and how, as a collective the Associations can increase sustainability awareness and promote successes. Round table updates allowed attendees to share how each represented business were addressing pertinent sustainability issues.

Rachel Parker closed the meeting by updating the group on our forthcoming Conference which is taking place on 28th June at ExCeL London. Amongst a fantastic programme a panel led session will be exploring how events can reduce their plastic footprint.

A tour of the venue (led by EEAEC’s Jason Lunn) and lunch (provided by Amadeus Food) followed enabling both Working Groups to combine, network and catch up socially.

The afternoon’s AEV eGuide Working Group (chaired by Olympia London’s Siân Richards) followed closely to the agenda exploring in detail a host of subjects from weapons, expectant mothers, drones, special treatments and chipboard usage. Future eGuide updates were explored and Alden announced our Conference which was universally well received.

The meeting closed following round table updates and appreciation to our host.

Thank you to all those that attended. Our next meeting takes place on 17th October – venue to be confirmed.