The AVIXA Women’s Council UK held a topical event in Greenwich, London, on 17 July, exploring the importance of incorporating long-term sustainability practices within businesses to ensure competitiveness as the industry transitions to a low carbon, more resource-efficient economy.
The event took place at the Flux Innovation Lounge, a futuristic and interactive space in the heart of Greenwich Design District, owned by creative design agency Engage Works. The venue features innovative technology from a host of companies, including PPDS Philips Professional Displays. It brought together a mix of professionals from the AV and construction industry to talk about the latest trends, to interpret what is important and how businesses can take action.
The afternoon commenced with a meet and greet before launching into three dynamic presentations from thought leaders in the energy management space.
The event hosts, PPDS, were the first up with Siân Rees, director global business development solutions and partnerships, emphasising the theme of “displays for the greater good”, which she said was at the heart of her company’s policies.
With her background in zoology and studies of grizzly bears, among others, Rees has a vital understanding of the importance of animals and their environments in sustaining nature. In her current role at PPDS, Rees said she was determined to spread the word about how sustainability is more than just ecology and the environment; it is also about the long-term survival of sustainability within businesses.
She said: “It’s great AVIXA is organising events such as this and also specifically the Women’s Council since gender equality and women’s empowerment is a necessary foundation for a sustainable world. My presentation raised talking points around how the AV industry can be more sustainable. The simple changes that can be made by controlling screen brightness and using remote management solutions, for example, to make display solutions more sustainable.”
Stella Pasalidou, energy and sustainability consultant at Carbonxgen, was next on stage, presenting on “what net zero carbon means for a business and what the concept of sustainability really is. The importance of joining and commencing that journey and how businesses can start the process holistically”.
She commented: “My role is to raise awareness of the ways that you can measure emissions and provide advice about what happens after you measure emissions. Really, businesses want to remain competitive in a low-carbon economy so net zero carbon is almost not an option anymore. Businesses have to join. We’re here to assist them in driving change and driving down costs in carbon and energy efficiency.”
The third and final presenter was Jess James, founding director of JAW Stainability.com, a consultancy providing specialist sustainability support for construction projects. JAW works with people who are designing and constructing new builds, or refitting, or refurbishing existing buildings, helping them to make them more sustainable, and deliver higher quality buildings that use less energy and materials, reduce waste and generally drive a more circular economy.
She said: “The AVIXA event was great to be part of. Sustainability should be front and centre for companies today. Coming from a construction industry background, I’m focussed on spreading the word, to ensure sustainability is top of the agenda. It was a pleasure to be invited to speak and I enjoyed discussing the crossover with the AV industry, helping the audience learn more and explore what others are doing to generate positivity in the sustainability field.”
Engage Works, which provided the Flux Innovation Lounge venue for the event, recently appointed a new operations director.
