IAPAs just two weeks away

In just two weeks the IAPA (International Awards for Powered Access) event will commence. It is organised by Access International and IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) and includes an informal networking event, IPAF meetings, the IPAF AGM and the IPAF Summit and takes place at the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam.

On Wednesday 13 April attendees can enjoy the IPAF networking event, sponsored by Holland Lift and held at the Hard Rock Café, Amsterdam - an excellent opportunity to catch up with your peers.

During the morning of the 14 April IPAF will hold some committee meetings and at noon the IPAF AGM (annual general meeting). In the afternoon the IPAF summit takes place.

The Summit will be led off by Gérard Deprez, chief executive officer of Loxam, one of Europe's largest equipment rental companies and president of the European Rental Association. He is uniquely placed to assess the changing fortunes of the powered access business.

Other speakers include Steve Shaughnessy, IPAF president; Jennifer Mathis, a partner at Ducker Worldwide who will reveal the results of IPAF's annual market reports; Chris Wraith, QHSE Manager with Lavendon Access Services and Andrew Fishburn, managing director of Spirit Network and Bravi. For more information on the Summit see http://www.iapa-summit.info/.

The IAPA dinner and ceremony are the highlight of the event and take place on the evening of the 14 April. This year the sponsors are Iron Planet, Haulotte, Genie, Alo Group and JLG.

Both Access International and IPAF are delighted at the way the industry has embraced the opportunity to demonstrate the creative, innovative and effective way the industry operates.

Access International's editor, Maria Hadlow said, "We had over 100 entrants for the IAPAs, of a very high calibre. It is very exciting to be able to acknowledge those companies that are championing excellence in our industry despite the difficult economic conditions that have affected almost everyone."

IPAF's chief executive officer said, "Our industry relies on professionalism and innovative design to stay safe and effective - it is right that we should recognise the innovators, leaders and pioneers that make that possible."