GEI9 Full Agenda Released!
We are delighted to announce that the 9th Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI9) agenda is finally here!
With the theme of GEI9 being sustainable design, delegates can look forward to a journey through every stage of an event, from pre-production to post-production, as we provide fascinating insights from some of the most influential experts in their field.As well as looking within the industry we’ll be considering what the broader political landscape means for artists and event organisers globally. GEI9 will take place on Tuesday 7 March in London. If you would like to register, please click here. Meanwhile, here is a tantalising taster of what you can expect, with further speaker announcements arriving in your inbox soon:Keynote: Designing Sustainability into the DNA of EventsLucy Legan, Co-founder, Ecocentro IPEC (BR)
Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil is the largest reference centre of sustainability in Latin America, and demonstrates scalable models of social technologies. Keynote speaker, Lucy Legan MSc, has played an integral role in environmental education in Brazil and is a best-selling author of educational books on sustainability literacy.Since 2006, Lucy has collaborated with Boom Festival, Portugal, as it transitions to a model of sustainability by implementing permaculture edible gardens for festival-goers, natural construction, composting during the festival on a large-scale (with 90 tons composted on-site during the last edition), and by co-ordinating a highly efficient waste-management team.Many festivals and events are taking on the challenge of innovation in sustainability. A new paradigm of sustainable and responsible events takes into account the dynamic elements potentially acting as a laboratory for change. The future of green events is in the hands of event producers and event attendees.Permaculture design offers a framework for thinking and designing sustainable festivals and events, where new economies, ecological landscapes, scaled technological solutions, transition strategies and social redesign can be tried out in a temporary autonomous zone.
Latest Actions & Challenges for Greener FestivalsClaire O’Neill, Co-Founder, A Greener Festival (UK)
Following the assessment of 25 festivals across 11 countries in 2016, A Greener Festival will provide insight into the latest developments and key challenges that events are experiencing in the pursuit of sustainability, and will also be launching the Greener Festival Assessment Report.
Get Lithe Leccy! Smart Design of Event EnergyPaul Schurink (ZAP Concepts, NL) | Steve Muggeridge (Green Gathering, UK) | Tim Benson (Hybrid Energy Consultant, UK)
Which festival stakeholders need to be involved in changing an event's energy sources and how should we go about persuading traditional energy suppliers used to providing diesel generators, to completely rethink their business model?Paul Schurink is an expert in the field of temporary energy supply, sustainability and innovations and has been involved with a variety of large-scale events including the Olympic Games and UEFA EURO 2012. He will present a case study of Zap's work with DGTL BCN festival in Spain.Joining Paul will be environmentally conscious event organiser and sustainable event veteran, Steve Muggeridge, of iconic Green Gathering fame, who will reveal how the event’s team go about designing the site layout, their use of power hubs, and even the programming of the entertainment, in order that the entire festival is run on renewable energy.
Launch: The Smart Energy for Outdoor Festivals GuideChris Johnson, Powerful Thinking, Shambala Festival (UK)
Five years on from the launch of The Power Behind Festivals Guide, Powerful Thinking has released a comprehensive update to their indispensable industry energy guide – Smart Energy for Outdoor Festivals. And what's more, this eagerly awaited guide will be exclusively launched by Chris Johnson, during GEI9.
What Next? Environmental Policy Post-BrexitAmy Mount, Head of Greener UK Unit & Senior Energy Policy Advisor, Green Alliance (UK)
Greener UK is a group of 13 major environmental organisations with a combined public membership of 7.9 million, united in the belief that the UK leaving the EU will provide us with a pivotal moment to restore and enhance the UK’s environment.Amy Mount will offer insights into the risks and opportunities that Brexit poses to UK environmental policy, and the work of Greener UK, which includes NGOs such as WWF, Greenpeace, National Trust and the Woodland Trust.
Wider Environment – Nationalism & Climate Change Denial Fruzsina Szép, Yourope/Lollapalooza (DE) | Holger Jan Schmidt, Co-founder, GO Group (DE) | Stephen Budd, Stephen Budd Music (UK) | Ivan Milivojev, Exit Festival/Yourope (RS) | Amy Mount, Green Alliance (UK)
Fruzsina Szép will share the actions of European festival association, Yourope, and their recent Take a Stand initiative, aimed at encouraging festival promoters to foster values of “social togetherness, understanding and tolerance for all cultures, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, colours and origins.”Fruzsina will be joined by renowned artist manager, Stephen Budd, who will be sharing his recent experiences of artist censorship and oppression with us; along with Exit Festival's Ivan Milivoje, GO Group's Holger Jan Schmidt and Amy Mount from Green Alliance.According to research from the FreeMuse annual report Art Under Threat, such cases have more than doubled since 2015. What action must we take, therefore, to protect our freedom to present an alternative, inclusive vision for society?
Sustainable Set & Stage DesignChris Tofu, Continental Drifts (UK) | Bertie Cole, Arcadia Spectacular (UK) | Tim Leigh, Stage One (UK) | Robin Collings, Shangri La/Boomtown Fair (UK)
With the competition to create sets and stages that are more impressive, more elaborate, and more expensive to build, maintain and shift, this session will ask whether innovative and extravagant stage design is an essential part of an event’s allure, or a jarring waste of the world’s resources.
The Environmental Impact of FireworksAymeric Lecomte, A Greener Festival/Bournemouth University (UK) | Dr Thomas Smith, Pyrotechnics Association (UK)
They might be visually impressive but what is the environmental impact of firework displays at events? Is there a legitimate cause for concern or does the bang really outweigh the bother?Aymeric Lecomte presents the latest research on this controversial subject, and opens the debate for the future of special effects in the live entertainment industry. Tom will present an industry and consultant's view on the environmental issues surrounding the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics - and to try and dispel some of the myths that surround their use at events big or small.Drawing on his experience as a chemist and having worked in the industry since his teenage years and latterly as a consultant to major events such as London NYE and the Olympics, Tom has a unique perspective on what the issues really are. The Future World of Special Effects Patrick O’Mahoney, Newsubstance (UK) | Aymeric Lecomte, AGF (UK) | Dr Thomas Smith, Pyrotechnics Association (UK) | Stuart Warren-Hill, HoloGauze (UK) | Andrew McQuillan, Crowded Space Drones (UK) | Dal Badial, London Laser Hire (UK)
Having turned the spotlight on the environmental impact of fireworks and special FX, Patrick and Aymeric will take a subsequent look at alternative methods of providing the wow factor at events without literally costing the earth.From drones, lasers and holograms to mindboggling chemical compounds – what are the safe alternatives in the explosive world of special effects?
Designing Inputs for Greener OutputsChris Cooke, CMU (UK) | Lucy Legan, Boom Festival (PT) | Mikkel Sander, Roskilde Festival (DK)
Smart events choose smart design. In this panel we will look at how infrastructure can be planned and delivered in a way that it will help events significantly lower their wastage of fuel, water, food, materials and resources.
Where | WhenGEI9 will take place at the Royal Garden Hotel in London from 10:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday 7 March 2017. Immediately after the event, all GEI delegates are invited to attend a closing drinks event that will take place in the York Suite of the hotel for a chance to network, discuss the day's events and enjoy a tipple or six.Rooms 3 & 4, Lower Ground Floor, Royal Garden Hotel2-24 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 4PT, UK10:00 - 18:00, Tuesday 7 March 2017Hosts: A Greener Festival | ILMC
Registration | RatesA delegate pass for GEI costs £99 plus booking fee, with a discounted rate of £65 available to ILMC delegates, students, and members of AGF, AIF and Yourope. The ticket price includes a five-star lunch, refreshments, and a closing drinks party.Please note that all our early-bird tickets are now sold-out.ILMC delegates should tick the relevant box when registering for ILMC.Members of AGF, AIF, AFO and Yourope are limited to two representatives per festival at discount rate while tickets last, and should contact hello@agreenerfestival.com.Non-ILMC delegates should click here to register for GEI9.
For more information and tickets, click here.
Getting InvolvedIf you would like to participate in GEI 2017 as a speaker or presenter, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us here. We welcome your ideas and your involvement.If you are looking to showcase or present your company at GEI, or would like more information about the range of available sponsorship opportunities, please download the GEI 2017 Marketing Pack. Alternatively, please email Chris Prosser or telephone him on +44 (0)203 743 0302 for more information.#GEI9
