Demolition Summit update

The Demolition Summit will take place on November 6 this year at the Hotel Okura, Amsterdam, one of that city's leading hotels, and is being organised and run by Demolition and Recycling International and the European Demolition Association.

The Summit - which is expected to attract more than 400 people from leading demolition firms and their suppliers - will include a top-level conference and the inaugural Demolition Awards gala dinner, a celebration of the very best in the industry from around the globe.

Final touches are currently being made to a first class list of speakers, while the first awards entries have already arrived in D&Ri's offices - even though the closing date is not until July 31.

"The reception we have had to our work so far has been exceptionally supportive. The signs for both the conference and awards are very positive," said Lindsay Gale, D&Ri editor.

The event is aimed at top managers and decision makers from the major demolition contractors around the world, plus leading manufacturers and suppliers.

"We hope the conference will stimulate debate about the best way to survive and grow in today's difficult market conditions, show the best new innovations and highlight the challenges and opportunities the industry will face in 2010 and beyond," Mr Gale continued.

"At the same time, the first ever Demolition Awards will celebrate the very best in the industry, promote best practice and give everyone the chance to meet old friends and contacts and make new ones. We are sure it will be an evening to remember."

The whole event will be open to all demolition companies and relevant manufacturers and suppliers, whether members of the EDA or not.

The Summit will open with a networking event and drinks reception on the evening of November 5, and will continue the next day with a full day conference featuring some of the world's top demolition and construction industry experts. It concludes on the evening of November 6 with the Demolition Awards gala dinner.

The conference will focus on key subjects for demolition contractors, including a detailed look at the economic health of the industry and prospects for the next two years; cutting-edge project case studies; the latest innovations; effective collaboration between manufacturers and contractors; and future challenges and opportunities.

The Demolition Awards are being launched and run by Demolition and Recycling International, with the support of the European Demolition Association.

It is the demolition industry's first awards ceremony to be dedicated to and judged by this specialised sector of the construction industry. Sponsors so far signed up include Volvo (Gold) and Technical Demolition Services (Silver).

The awards are intended to recognise those demolition contractors, large and small, who have displayed excellence over the course of their demolition activities by applying best practices, ensuring health and safety during their work, displaying innovation in terms of demolition techniques and in their attitude to the environment in which they operate.

Entries will be judged by a panel of leading demolition and C&D recycling experts from around the world, and is open to all.

The Demolition Award categories are as follows:

Demolition Job of the Year

Demolition Company of the Year

Demolition Safety Award

Demolition Training Award

Demolition and Recycling Environmental Award

Best Explosive Demolition Award

Best Industrial Demolition Award

Best Confined Space/Urban Demolition Award

Manufacturers Innovation Award - Series produced products

Manufacturers Innovation Award - Custom produced products

Best Customer Support Award

D&Ri and the EDA have assembled a top-class judging team to oversee the awards process. Under the chairmanship of Yves Canessa, the president of the EDA, they are:

Giuseppe Panseri, vice president, European Demolition Association; Jan Brandis, past president, European Demolition Association; Howard Button, chief executive, National Federation of Demolition Contractors; John Woodward, Vice president, Institute of Demolition Engineers; Walter Werner, president, Deutscher Abbruchverband; Kees de Groot, C.A de Groot; Henrik Bonnesen, COWI; Pierre Burguiere and William Moore, vice president, Brandenburg Industrial Services.

The basic criteria for all categories are simple - the judges will want all entrants to tell them why they think their firm or project is special, and why it should be selected as a winner. Companies can submit entries for more than one award, and more than one entry per category, should they so wish - and there is no charge for entering.

For more information, go to www.demolitionawards.com, or www.khl.com/events, or www.eda-demolition.com.

* A number of high-profile awards sponsorship packages are available offering excellent branding and networking opportunities at both the conference and the Demolition Awards dinner. For details, please contact Lynn Collett, Demolition Awards Sponsorship Sales on +44 (0)1892 786219 or at lynn.collett@khl.com