CHPA Annual Conference and Awards
What was the problem?
One of the leading industry bodies in the sustainable energy sector, the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) promotes an integrated approach to delivering energy services using combined heat and power and district heating.
With a membership made up of many high-profile and influential businesses the Association’s annual conference is crucial in providing a platform to showcase the progress made through the year and discuss the key issues facing the industry.
After problems with its external events organiser in 2007, the Association called on SE2 to step into the breach.
What did we do?
The first task was to address the organisation of the event. SE2 offers a total event management service. We take care of everything from finding the venue, booking accommodation and briefing speakers right down to the place cards on the dinner tables. Our logistical expertise and attention to detail ensure that everything runs smoothly, giving our clients total confidence and zero stress.
Our next goal was to enhance the event. Expanding on the existing programme of plenary presentations, we introduced a choice of parallel workshop sessions to bring added variety and value to the conference. To close it, the final plenary session is run as a Question Time-style debate, featuring a panel of MPs and prominent industry spokespeople chaired by a journalist. Past chairs have included Julian Rush, former Science Correspondent for Channel 4 News, and BBC Environment Analyst Roger Harrabin.
A gala dinner for around 300 guests follows the conference. Together with the CHPA, we revived and redesigned the CHPA Awards, presented at the dinner to recognise achievement, innovation and best practice in the sector. We manage the entire awards process, which runs for six months leading up to the conference, handling everything from encouraging entries and coordinating technical assessment to producing the awards ceremony itself. Having lain dormant for seven years, the new awards scheme has reinvigorated the event.
What difference did we make?
SE2 has managed the CHPA Annual Conference & Awards for the past four years. Having initially stepped in to rescue a failing event, we have taken it from strength to strength. Now regularly oversubscribed, the event is a resounding success. Our relationship with the CHPA has also grown: we have overseen a series of regional roadshows for the Association and helped to deliver its annual summer event at the House of Lords from 2008 to 2010.
“Congratulations to you and your team for the excellent conference and dinner. I’ve had very positive feedback from colleagues and guests alike.”
Dominic Bowers, CHPA Chairman
“Many congratulations on the new multiple choice format. I have only heard positive things said about the new approach.”
“The conference was interesting, thought-provoking and relevant.”
CHPA delegate feedback