12 Jun 2014

Reed Exhibitions Australia, in association with Brooks Events and Inter-Water Events, is excited to announce the launch of a new sustainability ‘mega event’ in Melbourne.

For the first time, Australian Sustainability Week will showcase all aspects of sustainability, attracting more than 300 exhibitors and 8,000 industry professionals.

It will be the largest and most significant event for the clean energy, sustainability, waste and recycling, and water industries.

Australian Sustainability Week will:

• Stimulate the progress of clean and renewable energy and sustainability;
• Highlight the importance of the water-energy nexus in Australia;
• Focus attention upon the impact of climate change, growing water scarcity and the use and supply of the world's waste;
• Encourage the need to manage waste and implement sustainable practices;
• Accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices; and
• Encourage strategic partnerships to drive these practices into the wider community.

The announcement follows the 2013 successful co-location of All-Energy Australia and Australia’s Sustainability in Business conference and exhibition with Waste Expo and the Banksia Sustainability Awards.

To be held on 15–16 October 2014, the addition of Inter-Water Australia is the final piece in the jigsaw, adding a forum highlighting all aspects of sustainable water technology, infrastructure and innovation.

Australian Sustainability Week will present the highest quality local and international speakers in each sector – many not seen before in Australia – delivering thought leadership, best practice and global innovation.

Taking its lead from the widely respected ‘Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week’, Australia will now lead the sustainability agenda in the Asia-Pacific region.

To be held annually at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Australian Sustainability Week will be anchored by the free-to-delegate All-Energy Australia exhibition and conference.

The week will occupy a combined ‘footprint’ of 16,500 square metres of hall space, featuring the latest in products, services and innovations in clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, waste, recycling and water management.

Anthony Reed, Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Australia, says these combined events break new ground.

”Renewable energy, efficient water use, integration of sustainable business practices and effective waste management are all critical challenges and opportunities for Australian industry.

“Reed Exhibitions is therefore delighted to be able to meet the needs of the entire sustainability sector by delivering a one-stop-shop to support these industries.

“The strategic co-locations will provide a platform to undertake business, face-to-face, with motivated professionals,” Mr Reed says.

Louise Brooks, Events Director at Waste Expo, says post-show feedback from exhibitors and visitors at the inaugural 2013 Waste Expo overwhelmingly endorsed the benefits of co-location.

“There’s no doubt that with the addition of Inter-Water Australia, the establishment of the overarching Australian Sustainability Week will further enhance the overall value proposition for key visitor groups.

“These include facilities, operations, environmental, plant and project managers,” Ms Brooks says.

Andy Ballagh, Director of Inter-Water Events, says extensive research established the need for a high-quality water industry exhibition and conference in Australia and identified synergies with the clean energy, sustainability and waste sectors.

“It was a logical step to partner with Reed Exhibitions and Brooks Events.

“The majority of major businesses serving the water sector are Melbourne based and the Victorian Government has a focus on establishing the state as a world leader in integrated water cycle management.

“These facts alone mean that Inter-Water Australia will be ideally located in Melbourne alongside three other major events in related environmental sectors,” Mr Ballagh says.

Australian Sustainability Week will feature both free-to-delegate and paid, business-to-business, multi-stream conferences and networking forums, hosted alongside an impressive array of exhibitors.

With high levels of satisfaction and return on investment from last year’s exhibitors and with the additional business opportunities provided by Inter-Water Australia, organisers are expecting significant growth in their events in 2014.

Mr Reed says he would encourage visitors to register to attend online now.

”Companies considering participating in  All-Energy Australia, Australia’s Sustainability in Business, Waste Expo or Inter-Water Australia in 2014 should contact the relevant organiser to discuss stand options.

“With bookings for 2014 already flowing in and with finite hall space available at the MCEC, Reed Exhibitions and its fellow organisers are expecting a sell-out across the four events.

“We urge suppliers not to miss what will be an unprecedented chance to grow their market share over two intensive days of face-to-face customer engagement,” Mr Reed says.