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.
Get educated
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 and Greening the Building Envelope.
The seminar programme will be presented by industry renowned names over the two days, including Stephen Matthews, chief executive for CIBSE, Robert Higgs, chief executive of HVCA, Mervyn Bowden, energy manager for Marks and Spencer, Ian Shaw, environmental & energy officer for the London Fire Brigade, Barry Knight, strategic design advice manager for Carbon Trust and Martin Townsend, director of BREEAM, BRE.
The CPD Theatre will also 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.
Addressing your needs
As the industry evolves, so does M&E to ensure visitors are able to address all of their professional needs under one roof. M&E has therefore introduced new and innovative feature areas for 2009 to compliment the established mainstays of the event. One such feature is Be2Camp at Working Buildings - a facilitated, participant-driven conference centred around 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 Hi-Design and supported 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.
Awarding the best
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
The awards will be presented to the winning companies at a ceremony on Wednesday 7 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."
