UKIFDA EXPO 2021 Virtual Exhibition & New Future Fuels Conference: Key Speakers & Topics Announced

The key speakers and industry topics have been revealed by trade association the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) for the two-day Future Fuels conference during UKIFDA EXPO 2021 on 7-8 July which will include a Ministerial Address by Lord Callanan, Minister for Climate Change & Corporate Responsibility.

“We are very pleased with the plans for this year’s EXPO and what will be our first ever virtual event and Future Fuels conference – and delighted to reveal the line-up of speakers and talks for the two days,” says Ken Cronin, UKIFDA Chief Executive.

“At its core, this year’s exhibition is focused on Future Fuels – the incredible investment our industry is making in renewable liquid fuels and the central issues associated with it, including the role of next generation renewable fuels in helping both the UK and Irish Governments achieve Net Zero targets and the transition to renewable liquid fuels.”

Across the two days of the conference there will be a number of breaks to allow delegates to visit exhibitors’ booths and also for exhibitors to make announcements or invite people to specific presentations.

The programmes for the two days are sponsored by Aon and Cobo Tankers and Services Ltd, who will each sponsor a day together with EXPO headline sponsor Phillips 66 Ltd.

Ken Cronin will launch UKIFDA EXPO 2021 with an overview of how the two days will run, to make it as easy as possible for exhibitors, visitors, Members, and delegates, to make the most of what’s on offer virtually this year.

UKIFDA Membership and Events Manager Dawn Shakespeare comments: “We will kick off day one with sponsors Aon who are providing our keynote speech to get everyone geared up for a great two days of knowledge sharing, networking, and business deals.

“James Spencer, Managing Director of Portland, will then present an analysis of market trends that includes key trends of the past 2 years and highlights for the future, followed by an EU-focussed roundtable discussion on key events in the EU that will impact our industry over the next decade. Participating in these discussions are Kevin McPartlin of Fuels for Ireland, Nick Hayes of UKIFDA, and Thierry Javit of the European Confederation of Fuel Distributors.

“There will also be a policy roundtable with the Department for Transport, BEIS and the treasury on the key themes of the current policy landscape covering heat, transport and taxation.

“In the afternoon of day one a discussion on fuel poverty will take place, focusing on the goals for fuel poverty and how our industry help. This will feature representatives from the UK Government’s Committee on Fuel Poverty, National Energy Action, The Home Group, and the National Housing Federation.

“Towards the end of the day, representatives of the trade associations and countries will be setting the scene for future fuels, what needs to be done and the new norm. Taking part will be Ken Cronin of UKIFDA, Paul Rose of OFTEC and David Blevings of NIOILS.

“The day will end with awards being handed out by UKIFDA President Janet Kettlewell, for Depot of the Year, Driver of the Year, Green Award, and an award for innovation.”

The format for UKIFDA EXPO 2021 is similar to the programme for previous EXPOs that have taken place during the past 40 years – only this time everything has been designed with the virtual experience in mind.

“Day two will be opened with an address by Lord Callanan, Minister for Climate Change & Corporate Responsibility, who has ministerial oversight of our sector, followed by Simon Holt of headline sponsors Phillips 66 Ltd and a presentation from Fernando Gomis and Joby Clark of day two sponsors Cobo Tankers and Services Ltd,” adds Dawn Shakespeare.

“A discussion on the key trends in the production of biofuels and next generation renewable fuels will be a highlight of the second day, with analytical contributions from representatives of Argus Media, Climate Change Committee and key suppliers Neste, Greenergy, Prax/Harvest, Phillips 66 Ltd and Argent Energy.

“Day two will also feature an important and insightful roundtable Q&A on the how the industry trials of HVO renewable liquid fuel are progressing in UK homes.

UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin adds “It’s a busy couple of days, to say the least – and we genuinely cannot wait to engage with exhibitors, Members, visitors, and delegates during the exhibition and conference.”

“We have all worked extremely hard on the planning of this year’s virtual event and have put together a fantastic line-up of key speakers together with relevant, thought-provoking topics in a range of formats that include presentations, discussions, Q&As and informal exchanges.

“The programmes for the two days will no doubt be fine-tuned between now and 7/8 July but we wanted to share our plans to-date and to encourage as many companies and individuals as possible to join us online and make our first virtual UKIFDA EXPO a huge success. As time gets closer to the event we will be using the conference app more and more to communicate information.

How to sign up to the conference 

To register as a delegate please follow this link: https://whova.com/portal/registration/uaifd_202006/

How to become an Exhibitor

Being a virtual conference we are able to take bookings to be an exhibitor much closer to the day so it is not too late!. For further information please contact Dawn Shakespeare via email ds@ukifda.org.

Day 1

Sponsor Aon Plc

Chair: Ken Cronin, UKIFDA

Day 2

Sponsor Cobo Tankers and Services Ltd

Chair: Brian Worral, DCC Plc

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