The organiser of the Greenbuild Expo in Manchester has highlighted a rise in commercial building visitors at this year’s trade show.
 
The sustainable refurbishment and building event was held at Manchester Central from 9 to 10 May and attracted 3,826 visitors, a slight dip on the 4,000 reported last year (unaudited). However, commercial (non-domestic building) attendees rose from 40 per cent to 50 per cent year-on-year.
 
Exhibitors also increased from 165 to 175. This year’s Greenbuild was the second to feature woodfuel event Ignition, which offered a separate seminar programme and exhibitor zone. Greenbuild Expo is organised by Hamerville Magazines, which publishes Greenbuild Magazine.
 
Magazine editor Lucy Young said it experienced initial teething problems after tram failure impacted on transport to the venue, but was pleased with how its fourth annual event was received overall.
 
“The quality of visitor we attracted was just what we wanted,” she told EN. “Our Green Deal debate area was incredibly popular, as were some of our more established features, such as the training hub and the CPD seminar content.
 
“The visitor feedback has been extremely positive, and the suggestions made will, once again, help us to shape the next event to ensure it remains an important date on the built environment calendar.”
 
This year’s show featured 100 free seminars and workshops including a CPD room with accredited sessions, training hub, a Q&A on rating systems and regulation, the Sustainable Cities seminar room focused on urban development, and Be2camp, which focused on how social media can promote and support sustainability in the built environment.
 
The event was opened by Association of Greater Manchester Authorities lead for environment, Charlie Parker, who arrived in a Renault Twizy, the first fully electric compact two-seater car.
 
The organiser also ran the inaugural Greenbuild Awards at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry on 9 May.
 
Greenbuild Expo returns to Manchester on 8-9 May 2013.
 
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