Destination management organisation, VisitBrighton, recently welcomed the PraxisAuril Conference to the Brighton Centre.
The PraxisAuril Conference, which took place from 6-8 June, saw 450 delegates come together at the Brighton Centre to participate in knowledge exchange. They discussed topics such as technology transfer, business development, contracts, licensing, and intellectual property.
Commenting on the event, Maxine Ficarra, CEO of PraxisAuril, said: “We were delighted to finally be bringing our PraxisAuril conference to Brighton. The pent-up demand from our knowledge exchange network meant that this was our biggest conference yet.”
Sustainability is key
The Brighton Centre was chosen to host the conference due to its sustainability credentials. For example, the centre has gained the Soil Association’s ‘Food for Life Served Here’ Bronze Award for its catering.
For the conference, the centre also opted out of delegate welcome bags, and instead donated money to Brighton and Hove Food Partnership who support the city in various ways.
The food partnership teaches cookery classes for those living with disabilities or from low-income backgrounds; offers an ‘Emergency Food Network’ for those struggling; and has community composting sites across the city.
Further sustainable efforts include:
• No beef/’Meat Free Monday’s’
• No plastic straws and no drinks sold in single use plastic bottles
• Waters fountains installed throughout venue
• Bento Boxes to reduce waste
• LED lighting and renewable energy
• Brighton Centre and VisitBrighton beach clean twice a year
• Goal to become carbon neutral by 2030
Anita Macdonald, marketing and communications manager, PraxisAuril, said: “PraxisAuril Conference was one of our most sustainable events ever.”
Emma Thurlow, business and sales manager, Brighton Centre, concluded: “As a council owned venue, I believe that community and sustainability should be at the heart of everything we do at The Brighton Centre.
“Having spent seven years with VisitBrighton prior to this role, I’m aware of the huge multiplier effects that large conferences like PraxisAuril have on our economy and, in turn, community. I’m also conscious that we are not just playing lip service to an idea of sustainability or greenwashing and that it simply becomes part of our business culture.”
