4th E & E Congress a resounding success
Copenhagen safely overtakes previous events

Over 900 participants spent three packed days examining Asphalt - Roads for Life, in Denmark, from 21 to 23 May. Converging on Copenhagen from as far afield as Brazil, the United States, Japan and Australia, industry experts met their peers from across Europe and Scandinavia to discuss the route to sustainable road infrastructure.

Packed plenary sessions

From the outset, organisers EAPA and Eurobitume were encouraged by the tone set by the European Commission's Deputy Director General of Transport and Energy, when in his key note speech he underlined the importance of roads and the Trans-European Networks (TENs), describing them as the lifeblood of our society. While in her welcome address, Danish Transport Minister, Carina Christensen, recognised the transport system as one of the pillars of economic growth and welfare.

An intensive schedule of thought provoking papers and inspiring discussions followed these opening words, in the strongly attended general assembly. Participants also reviewed some eighty poster presentations, submitted by technical research specialists from around the world, responding to the key challenges facing the industry today.

Lord Mayor's reception

Providing ample opportunity for networking, the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen entertained participants to a lavish reception at City Hall at the end of the first day. On the following evening delegates and partners were treated to a grand dinner and live band at the atmospheric Øksnehallen.

Exhibiting road skills

In a dynamic and colourful exhibition area, forty five leading suppliers of bitumen and asphalt products educated and entertained their visitors. Here, among many other activities they could view state-of-the-art paving solutions, test their motoring skills (on two or four wheels), pitch their bitumen knowledge and sample the chemistry of fine cuisine.

In summing up Franck Haëttel, President Eurobitume, observed that the extent and calibre of participation reflected the industry's commitment to drive change: "This has been a fantastic gathering of global expertise to meet the universal challenge of sustainable development." While EAPA President, Alan Mackenzie, cautioned against complacency, urging the industry to maintain its leadership of the change process: "We must move up a gear and be even more proactive to provide our clients with clear, dynamic competitive and professional solutions".