The ICCA UK & Ireland 2007 Summer Debate will be held in Brighton (12 & 13 July 2007) at the De Vere Grand Hotel.

Delegates from the UK and Ireland’s conference centres, convention bureaus, hotels, airlines, PCO’s and exhibition companies will meet over these two days to debate the hot topic of ‘Going Green – Fad or Future?’

This Debate aims to explore socially responsible meetings, commercial viability, green buildings and recycling/carbon offsetting – all which have become highly influential and important factors in preparing and winning bids for conferences and exhibitions as well as during the events themselves.

The programme has been split into four sections ‘Green Meetings – The Future of Conferencing?’; ‘Green Services’; ‘How Green is Your Venue’ and ‘Communicating the Green Message”. The presentations will be followed by round table discussions.

Speakers include John Proctor from the Green Business Tourist Scheme, Angela Mawle (UKPublic Health Association), Leith’s Catering, Reeds Exhibitions, Melville’s, Adam Bates (VisitBrighton), Martin Lewis (CAT Publications) and Robert Wright (Davis Tanner).

Brian Horsburgh, ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter Chair said “Green issues and corporate social responsibility are increasingly being raised by meeting planners as key factors for their clients. The UK and Ireland’s conference and exhibition industry is increasingly having to address these global issues to ensure that

we remain a top destination choice.”

He continued “We have continued the two-day format we trialled at the Winter Debate in Florence in January as it proved to be very successful. Delegates have appreciated more time for discussion, networking and to experience the destination.”