Breakaway binmen stay loyal to Bay
A group of waste and recycling business leaders have decided to stay loyal to Paignton after the Chartered Institution of Waste Management decided to pull its annual conference from the resort and relocate the annual show to a conference centre at London's Docklands.
But now an alternative three-day Plant and Waste Recycling Show will be held on Paignton Green from June 15 to 17 .
It is headed by Hampshire-based businessman Richard Hunt, who has visited Paignton for the conference for the past 23 years.
He said that the relocation of the CIWM conference is 'madness'.
"As soon as I found out about the decision, which was made without consultation with those who attended the conference, I was on the phone to friends and contacts to see if they would support a show in Paignton.
"I cannot understand why people would want to pay £180 for a hotel room, £15 congestion charge and £4.50 for a bacon butty in London.
"The event has been running here for 23 years and in that time people have built up good friendships and contacts and have made friends with hotel and guest house owners.
"It is a chance for people to meet up with old business contacts and bring the family for a holiday as well if they want".
The new show will not be on the same scale as the CIWM, said Mr Hunt, but hopes that this year will be a sell-out with a waiting list in future years.
"A lot of exhibitors are members of the Chartered Institute and are obliged to attend the London Show but I think that they will come back in years to come.
"We also expect about 95 per cent of local authorities throughout the country to attend the show."
Confirmation of the new-look show, which is being promoted as the international event for plant and waste recycling, has been welcomed by Bay councillors, tourism and business leaders.
Cllr Beryl McPhail, cabinet member for tourism, said: "We are delighted that Richard Hunt and many of his colleagues have stayed loyal to the Bay.
"They have rightly recognised that we have some wonderful facilities for events such as this, which do so much for our tourism industry and for local businesses. We have worked extremely hard with others in the community to help them in the early planning stages, and we look forward to them staging a successful show."
Matthew Clarke, deputy chairman of Paignton Chamber of Commerce said: "We are pleased that this is happening in Paignton.
"It is good that there has been recognition of the service that Paignton can provide and shoes like this are an important part of our economy.
"A lot of people who attend these events say that a lot of business is done over a pie and a pint and not necessarily in an exhibition hall.
"That is what these show organisers have recognised and the CIWM have not."
Show co-ordinator Alan Bowman has 30 years experience in organising major events.
Exhibitors have started to book hotel and exhibition space.
A new sales team has been appointed for the show.
Mr Hunt said: "I hope to keep this show going and growing for years to come, and hope that it will give the local community, the exhibitors and the organisers something to look forward to each year.
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