Pictured above: (l-r) Louise Harris - Fenns Commercial Director, David Bellamy and Fenns MD Phil Harris

Over 220 businesses from across Staffordshire showed their environmental support when they attended the first ever Midlands office supplies environmental EXPO hosted by office supplies company Fenns held at Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent recently.

The free one day event has proved such a success that Fenns are now hoping to make this an annual event. Keynote speaker on the day was Broadcaster and Environmental campaigner Professor David Bellamy OBE whose message for the day was about sustainability. Speaking to a packed room he said: "Take note, by mid 2012 the Olympics will be breaking all sorts of records and our lonely planet will being doing its best to support the needs and hopes of 7 billion people.

So we must face the fact that if we all don't grasp the good news of sustainability we will have even worse problems in the future. That is the challenge of sustainability. Today is about making a bid to help boost your green credentials - and save money and it is aimed at highlighting the environmental benefits of single source supply. Please get on board and get involved. We all need to do our share."

As well as hearing from David Bellamy visitors to the one day exhibition were able to experience a mix of topical speakers and an exhibition of key product suppliers, providing a comprehensive forum for demonstration, education and information where visitors explored and experienced the latest developments in sustainability, procurement efficiencies and reducing the supply chain. 

Other speakers on the day included Knights solicitors llp, Baker Tilly, Greenworks, American Golf and PI Consultancy. They delivered talks on everything from environmental law, to tax saving opportunities through to the benefits of reducing the supply chain, recycling and social responsibility and how to persuade colleagues in a business to adopt the green mantle.

Speaker at the event Andy Bailey, Head of Energy at Knights solicitors llp comments: "Knights solicitors are heavily involved with clients' projects across the range of renewable energy sources - wind, solar, ground source heat, etc., and were happy to be invited to take part in Fenn's Environmental Exhibition. We are glad that the day brought people together under one roof to exchange ideas and know-how and to reinforce the important initiatives that are being pursued in this region in relation to sustainability and a low carbon future."

Key manufacturers Fellowes, Brother, Konica Minolta, Albion Chairs, AFI, Dormy and Beswicks Paper were amongst the many products manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting. Many of them were showcasing products and services that had not been shown before and visitors had the chance to view and test many new environmental products.

Fenns Commercial Director Louise Harris comments: "This was the first event of this kind that has taken place in the area and the response has been excellent. Feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been very positive, exhibitors said that deals were done during the event and that they were able to meet a high number of key people from local and national businesses who were genuinely interested in their products and services. The day was designed to educate business on aspects of introducing sustainable and environmentally more responsible behavior at work and at home. We believe visitors went away with new ideas on how to improve their business' environmental performance."