Attracting more than 400 exhibitors, Sustainabilitylive! is returning to the NEC in Birmingham from 24th to 26th May 2011 and will provide a platform for companies and organisations to share new and sustainable technologies and industry innovations.

The exhibition is made up of five premier shows across the water, energy, land, environment and sustainability sectors and will also include a three day conference and seminar programme that will run alongside the exhibition where key business leaders and practitioners will be able to explore current industry issues, best practice and pioneering applications.

Facing the water deficit – IWEX

A forum for the country’s water organisations and utilities companies, visitors to IWEX (International Water and Effluent Exhibition), will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from companies such as Schneider Electric, Technolog, Utilitec Services, WEG Electric Motors, and SEBA KMT UK.

The seminar programme at this year’s event will discuss key issues including the latest legislation, SUDS and flood management, FOG (fat oil and grease) solutions, waste water management and smart metering.

Highlights at IWEX 2011 will include its University Challenge which highlights the best research carried out in the water sector. Entries will be judged on innovation, technical content and commercial potential. Last year’s winners were The University of Sheffield with their research project on data driven leak detection. The presentations will be held and judged on 26th May in the Water Theatre.

Celebrating 20 years – ET

The Environmental Technology Exhibition (ET), will bring together around 60 companies specialising in areas including air pollution control, transport carbon reduction and commercial waste minimisation.

A host of companies and institutions have signed up including Environmental Innovations, NLS, Simplifi Solutions, Birmingham City University, metnet (Marches Environmental Technology Network), Retsch UK, and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

In a packed programme of seminars, speaker topics include commercial and industrial waste management, waste procurement, recycling and licensing standards, waste to energy, CAD, environmental legislation, air pollution, managing firewater spillage as well as green transport.

Carbon reduction focus – NEMEX

With carbon reduction high on the agenda of governments across the world, businesses are under increasing pressure to review and reduce their energy usage. This year, National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX), will feature some of the biggest names in the energy sector including British Gas Business, Powerstar, Business Stream, powerPerfector, Monodraught, and Siemens Metering Services.

The seminar programme will address a range of issues including government policy, skills and training, carbon reduction strategies, and energy standards. Delegates can also attend sessions on grants and financing, procurement and energy supply, energy efficiency services and behavioural changes required for implementing energy efficiency measures.

Visitors to NEMEX can also take advantage of the co-located exhibition HEVAR, an event for buyers and specifiers in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration industry which includes seminars on energy management in a range of environments, as well as renewable technologies. In addition, there will be sessions run by the Heat Pump Association and BRE on 25th May.

Brownfield regeneration – BEX

The national event for remediation and contaminated land solutions, Brownfield Expo (BEX), provides a forum for specifiers and providers of contaminated land solutions and will give visitors access to industry leaders like Cornelsen, Ground Remediation Systems, Adventus Europe, Derwentside Environmental Testing Services, Regenesis, RPS, and PA Geotechnical.

Seminar speakers will address regeneration legislation, liability and risk assessment, environmental forensics and new remediation technologies, spill control, asbestos clean-up as well as soil stabilisation, ground gas and invasive species management.

Sustainable Business – The Event

Providing a platform for businesses to embrace effective corporate sustainable strategies and bring into focus key sustainability drivers, Sustainable Business – The Event attracts visitors across the full spectrum of private and public sector organisations, with NQA, BSI, Envac UK, Environmental Sustainability KTN, and Toshiba TEC UK Imaging Systems among the organisations already signed up.

The conference programme will explore topics such as the coalition government’s plans for a low carbon economy, retro-fitting and future-proofing the built environment and sustainable transport.

Excellence and innovation

Also integral to the exhibition will be The Environment and Energy Awards which recognise excellence and innovation in sustainable business practices across the environment, land, energy and sustainable business sectors, and has attracted a record number of entries for 2011.

This year, the awards will have 13 categories including two new awards – Best Energy Efficient Refurbishment Award and Best Energy Supplier Customer Service Award. Results will be announced at a gala dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum on 24th May. For up to date exhibitor news, seminar programmes, and information on how to exhibit or how to register for free attendance, see the details below.