MOVE TO KEEP £5M CONFERENCE IN BAY

10 December 2007

A decision on whether the £5million bin men's conference will stay in Paignton is expected in the New Year.

Organisers of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management event asked hundreds of exhibitors at the June exhibition and conference this year for their views on holding the show outside the Bay after 2008. Since then they have been analysing responses and are expected to announce a decision in January.

The Bay is said to be facing increased competition from other venues although the 2008 event is secure.

Sarah Poulter, managing director of IWM Business Services Ltd, said: "The consultation process is still ongoing at the moment, and we are also continuing our discussions with Torbay Council and the mayor, which have been very helpful to date.

"A decision will be made as early as possible next spring, once the IWM Business Services Board and the CIWM General Council have been able to consider all the options."

A Torbay Council spokesman said: "The conference is definitely going ahead next year, and we are in regular contact with the organisers.

"We have no reason to believe that the event won't be held in 2009."

Members of Torbay Hospitality Association met IWM executives to discuss future visits to the Bay.

Gordon Oliver, chairman of the association, said: "It went extremely well. We had discussions about how we can assist them in 2008 and how we can get them back in the future.

"It's the volume of business they bring here that's important. It's worth millions to the economy. We've learned a lot about their organisation and how they need to be supported.

"We're going to be working with their chief executive and chairman to achieve this. We have a lot in common and there's a lot to play for."

The four-day event attracts more than 6,500 industry visitors, 350 exhibitors and 650 conference delegates - bringing in an estimated £5million during an otherwise lean time between bank holidays and the start of the main holiday season.

It is the second time in 21 years of running the event in Torbay the organisers have considering closing down and moving elsewhere.

However, organisers say exhibitors have expressed concerns about the Paignton seafront sites, even though an alternative venue would have to match or beat the Bay and its 'unique atmosphere'.

Ten years ago the institution threatened to pull out in a wrangle over space, but it has since been able to use larger accommodation on Paignton Green.

Any new site would have to beat the Bay on space, quality, transport, meeting and greeting sites, as well as quality accommodation at affordable prices.

Cost may be the trump card in keeping the conference, because the exhibition and conference has free use of the Bay sites, paying only for damage repairs, and makes a thank-you payment to the council of £12,500.