16.05.14
Infrarail 2014 a ‘not to miss’ event
The 10th edition of Infrarail is aiming to build on the success of previous years by delivering a range of thought-provoking discussions and presentations for the rail infrastructure market.
Taking place at Earls Court, London, from May 20-22, the exhibition will feature products and services from all sectors of the infrastructure market with more than 180 companies taking part.
During the last Infrarail shows, more than 4,500 managers, engineers and decision makers attended the event, but organisers Mack Brooks hope to build on this success next week.
Features in the exhibition hall will include The Track, sponsored by Tata Steel, to showcase track-mounted equipment and products, and the Recruitment Wall, enabling visitors to search exhibitor vacancies live as they consider their next career move.
Additionally, The Civil Infrastructure & Technology Exhibition (CITE) 2014 will be accompanying Infrarail in the main hall at Earls Court.
Heidi Cotsworth, exhibition manager at organisers Mack Brooks, said: “This move has been warmly welcomed by many of our established Infrarail exhibitors as they are also active across the wider infrastructure market. At the same time, CITE has attracted companies that are new to us and have much to offer the rail sector.”
Taking place alongside the exhibition will be a wide-ranging programme of activities intended to enhance the value of time spent at Infrarail.
Daily keynote speeches will provide insights into the future direction of the rail industry. This year’s speakers are minister of state for transport Baroness Kramer, Network Rail’s managing director of Infrastructure Projects Simon Kirby, who is soon to move to HS2 Ltd, and the director general of the Rail Executive at the Department for Transport, Clare Moriarty.
A series of project updates covering major UK rail infrastructure programmes will take the form of presentations by managers from Network Rail, Transport for London and HS2. And daily interactive discussion forums covering aspects of procurement will take place at The Platform, hosted by Rail Technology Magazine and Rail Champions.
In addition, industry seminars by managers from leading organisations specifying or implementing major UK rail infrastructure schemes will form part of the Infrarail programme.
Also at this year’s show an open discussion, featuring an expert panel, will focus on developing the strategic labour needs and training of the UK’s rail industry now and in the future.
The panel is made up of Gil Howarth, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering; Glenn Robinson, of the National Apprenticeship Service; Guy Wilmshurst-Smith, Network Rail’s head of professional development and training; and Roy Rowlands, Trustee of the UK Rail Industry Training Trust. The event will be held on 21 May at 2:30pm on The Platform at Infrarail.
A Networking Reception with drinks and canapés will welcome exhibitors and visitors on the show’s opening day, while the following evening’s Infrarail & CITE Awards dinner will mark significant achievements by exhibiting companies. The host for that event will be footballing legend Kevin Keegan.
Full programme details can be found on the Infrarail website.
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