More than 120 event professionals were in attendance at the first in a series of CDM roadshows organised by a combined association task force.

The Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the Association of Event Venues (AEV) and the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) have come together to drive towards minimal impact from CDM regulations, with the first event held at the NEC on 21 May 2015.

A panel comprising Sarah Cox of Freeman, ESSA board member and chair of the cross association task force for CDM, Louise Kiwanuka of EventShaper, Sarah Green from the NEC, and Simon Garrett of X-Venture answered questions from the floor and provided practical explanations of how CDM should be managed.

The event was chaired by AEO chief executive, Chris Skeith, who has been liaising with the HSE on CDM regulations related to the events industry for the past four and half years.

Andrew Harrison, ESSA director said: “As soon as we opened registration the bookings kept coming in, there was clearly a demand for accurate and expert information in what has become a sea of opinion and guesswork.

“The close relationship we have developed with the HSE over the past four and a half years has enabled the cross association task force to provide a clear and definitive set of answers to the questions raised in the room. Registration for the London date is now open and it is looking like being another packed meeting at Olympia.”

The second roadshow will take place at Olympia London on 9 June.