This is a new event which I have set up to run on 17th September 2008. Where did the concept come from? Well I work with lots of different people within the IT/AV industry from end users (AV User Group) to manufacturers/resellers/integrators. Recently I have been running CSR and environmental awareness sessions at the IP Video Expo and the momentum in this area is gathering fast. I have seen three basic things:
1. End Users who are starting to look at the environment and other ethical issues and are starting to ask their suppliers details of what they are doing.
2. Suppliers on all levels who are not sure what they should be doing and what minimum standards they should be adhering to; do they have an environmental management system and are they complient to ISO14001?
3. CSR representitives i.e Corporate Communications Directors & CIO's who need to understand better how technology can be used to help the environment and simultaneously make good business sense.
So thats how I ended up here. Its about awareness from all areas in the industry and if you are one of the sceptics out there who think you don't need to do anything or be aware of the issues, you are wrong. All manufacturers currently have to comply with the RoHS standard and I dont think it will be too long before you will need to comply with ISO14001. So if you want to be more aware of this whole area, buy a ticket and come along to an information filled day.
Brief background on how am I qualified to run this event and speak in this area? I am currently undertaking the Institute of Environmental Management & Assesment Certificate which is a two week course that will make me an Associate member of the Institute. I also have an honors degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton.
