BCM World Conference and Exhibition
The inaugural BCM World Conference and Exhibition opened for registration on 11th November 2009 with a distinct buzz of excitement as delegates made their way into the exhibition hall for their first chance to meet exhibitors
Exhibitors included: Continuity Shop, Vega Consulting Services Ltd, DNV, GemaTech, GlaxoSmithKline, CPA (Software) Ltd, Security Risk Management Ltd, Capital Continuity, Marsh (Gold Sponsor), SunGard Availability Services, Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Crisis Solutions, Vocal , Community Resilience, LRQA (Silver Sponsor), Airmic, F-24 UK Limited, Quantar Solutions, BELFOR, Continuity2, Garrison Continuity, 4C Strategies, Solcara, LINK Associates International, BSI, Groupcall, Applied Satellite Technology, COOP Systems, First Group, SmartDesk Systems Ltd, BT Conferencing and Polycom, Steelhenge Consulting, ISC2, Mind Your IT, Ascure and BCM Academy, Ear Productions, BCI and Continuity Magazine, NonVerba and Continuity Solutions, Training Scenarios Ltd, PageOne, Enera and the Risk Federation.
The Conference was attended by almost 350 delegates from over 20 countries who listened to plenary presentations on topics including swine flu, identity theft and the cyber crisis, supply chain resilience and sustainability, and the Civil Contingencies Act and the Pitt Review. In addition to the plenary sessions were three streams which the delegates attended depending on their interests and experience level: Fundamentals of BCM, BCM in Action and Strategic BCM. Topics covered during the streams included: BCM governance, programme management, developing strategies, supply chain, emergency management, enterprise risk management, human aspects, globalisation, resilience, testing and exercising, and standards.
These presentations were delivered by both members and non-members of the BCI, some of whom you may recognise: Gary Clarke MBCI, Abdulrahman Alonaizan MBCI, Andy Tomkinson MBCI, William Byrne MBCI, Heinz-Dieter Schmelling AMBCI, Chris Needham-Bennett MBCI, Henry Ee FBCI, Dennis Flynn MBCI, Wolfgang Mahr MBCI and Alex Fullick MBCI.
Meanwhile, visitors to the exhibition were able to meet with the exhibitors of their choice and discuss their needs and the options available face to face. They also had the opportunity to attend the vendor showcasing taking place on the exhibition floor which covered themes such as communication strategies, BS25999, cyber crime, disaster recovery, pandemic preparedness and supply chain risk management. Also on the exhibition floor and free to attend were presentations from BCM practitioners on topics including social distancing in a pandemic, standards, embedding BCM in the culture, BCM and sustainability and evacuation procedures.
The highlight of the Conference was the presentation made by Bob Geldof KBE who opened the second day. His engaging speech provided a remarkable insight into the mind of a successful entrepreneur. He related his own continuity story when Planet24 was caught up in the impact of the IRA bombs in the Docklands and the significant direct and indirect impact on people and finances when delivery of critical content (the Big Breakfast programme for the UK's Channel 4 TV network) was disrupted. He also raised concerns that climate change resulting in mass population migration and greater resource scarcity in regions such as Africa would ensure the threat of terrorism would continue.
And now it's all over for another year, but most certainly not forgotten! Thank you to those who attended as a delegate or a visitor, presented and exhibited. The BCM World Conference and Exhibition has received very positive feedback from delegates, exhibitors and visitors, and has already received five bookings to exhibit next year. We hope you will put the date in your diary now... 3rd and 4th November 2010 in London. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click www.bcm2009.com/ to read Nigel Allen, Editor of Continuity Magazine and review some of the presentations from the Conference.
