1 June 2023 | Innovation | Our Work
Representatives from more than 40 local authorities have signed up to attend this year’s LCRIG Innovation Festival, with fully funded spaces still available for councils to apply for.
The event, which is taking place from 4-5 July at Newark Showground, will bring together local authorities, central government, the supply chain, associations and academia.
The draft event agenda for this year’s event has been released, with delegates set to hear about how emerging technology and maintenance solutions can support local authorities and the wider sector. It will include case studies from councils who have successfully implemented innovation projects, advice on procurement, a session on skills and updates from the Department for Transport (DfT) on road condition data.
The Innovation Festival is an event where products, solutions, new innovations and techniques can be displayed and demonstrated over a range of live demonstration sessions. The event provides local authorities with a chance to find out about new innovations from the supply chain that will help to meet their current and future challenges.
LCRIG Content Director Alec Peachey said: “Demonstrations at this year’s LCRIG Innovation Festival will showcase some of the sector’s best maintenance practices and future technology. Our light touch conference will also provide provide some fascinating insights into the innovative work taking place across the industry. The fact that representatives from more than 40 councils have already signed up shows that there is a real appetite for industry professionals to find out more about the latest innovations in the sector. There has also been huge uptake from the private sector with many companies confirming their participation as exhibitors, delegates or sponsors. There is still time to register and local authority places are fully funded. Do not miss out on this event and join a growing list of supporters and partners who will be in attendance.”
Last year’s Festival saw 11 live demonstrations take place showing the latest innovations on offer. A range of innovations showed off the versatility of the sector with a range of demonstrations including software developments and large plant and equipment, through to smaller, but equally impressive innovations, such as ergonomic handles on wheelbarrows.
This year’s event will be bigger and better with more demonstrations taking place highlighting things such as in vehicle technology which can deliver more efficient transport networks and showcase services such as GLOSA (Green Light Optimum Speed Advisory), in-vehicle signing and probe data capture.
Local authorities will play a key role at the event – being tasked with scoring innovations across several different categories. This year’s categories are as follows: Fleet and equipment; Bridges and other structures; Climate resilience; Transport technology; Surfacing; Biodiversity; Traffic Signs and Lines, Street Lighting and Collaborative Innovation.
One of the main elements that sets the Innovation Festival apart from other industry events is the fact that qualifying innovators are given the chance to receive funding towards development or to secure trials with local authorities. A portion of all exhibition space and sponsor sales at the event are put into the LCRIG / Steve Berry Innovation Fund.
Ian Moore from Leeds City Council attended last year’s Innovation Festival and had this to say: “I just wanted to offer Leeds City Council’s congratulations and sincere thanks for what was an extremely informative, well run and enjoyable event. Right through from the venue, papers, exhibitors, live demonstrations, refreshments, transport, accommodation and entertainment, it was a pleasure to have been a delegate and I am aware that my colleagues feel the same.”
There are a limited number of fully funded council places, which include accommodation and catering. You can apply here.