APEA, the conference, exhibition and awards event run by the Association for Petroleum & Explosives Administration, is moving to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for 2009. Next year’s event will be held on October 15th at the Jaguar Exhibition Hall, which the group says offers more than 3,000 square

metres of column-free conference, exhibition and banqueting space.

In addition, there is ground-floor access via two 5mx4m vehicle doors, and a number of in-hall kiosks will offer a wide range of food and drink to delegates throughout the event.

The arena is located about 20 minutes from Birmingham International airport, six miles from Coventry railway station, and less than a mile from junction 3 of the M6.

The event was previously held at the Telford International Centre.

According to the group, next year’s exhibition will be 15% bigger with a wider selection of display areas including a number of 3x4m stands, in addition to the usual 3x2m stands. The exhibition will stay open into the evening, providing an arena for the welcome drinks, and an additional focus for all those attending the Awards Dinner. Exhibitors can gain access to around 600 dinner guests, giving them a chance to maximize on networking opportunities.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is set to be the sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

For more details, visit www.apea.org.uk