We hosted a conference in Blackpool this week which was to showcase the fantastic work carried out on Project Amber. The event, held at the Grand Hotel in Blackpool, was exceptionally well attended by local highway authorities who all wanted to learn more about how they could access this innovative framework. The suppliers were there in great numbers as well and I personally enjoyed meeting many of them. I loved every minute of the day and was massively impressed by the quality of the presentations and the degree of interaction from the attendees.
To get the conference underway, our President, Will, gave a presentation in a style, that only Will could, I’ll say nothing about the images, and if you were present you’ll know what I’m referring to ? – informative and entertaining is the best description, just what a presentation should be. Will set out the entire journey so the attendees could appreciate how we had arrived at Project Amber as it was important to set it in context of the pressures we face in local government .
Other presenters addressed opportunities, benefits, procurement concerns, research & testing and KPI’s and we also heard from a couple of framework contractors and Reading Borough Council who had recently used the framework. I couldn’t stop smiling during the presentation given by Sam Shean of Reading who told the story of how, from a standing start, he joined LCRIG, accessed the framework, instructed a contractor and commenced works all within a 6 week period which included all the necessary approvals by his colleagues in Reading. It was so engaging I know that everyone in the audience could empathise with his reasoning for wanting to engage directly with an SME to ensure every penny was spent on the road – his passion to achieve the best outcome for his residents infectious.
On a separate note, but connected theme, I urge you all to read the Members Update issued this week by Shelley which provides details about our upcoming Innovation Festival that has such strong parallels with the Project Amber conference this week.
Thanks again to Shelley, Emily and Adam whose efforts made the whole event work perfectly – like swans gliding effortlessly across the water, but the legs paddling frantically beneath the surface. Susanne and Kerry, as ever, just excelled at what they do – growing our profile and being the face of LCRIG.
I’d love to receive feedback on the day from the attendees as this will help us to continually improve, so please get in touch.
A request to everyone who did attend – spread the word!