'Bright and Green' conference to take place in Waterford

Waterford City will welcome delegates from across Europe this month for a special conference focusing attention on sustainability, under the title of 'Bright & Green Christmas in European Towns: Building a Sustainable Future'.

The two-day seminar will take place in Dooley’s Hotel on November 26 and 27 and will bring together festival organisers, sustainability leaders and European representatives to explore how towns and cities can create more climate-conscious celebrations.

Hosted by Waterford City and County Council, the conference is being held in Waterford following the city’s successful bid to host the event as part of its designation as the European City of Christmas. 

It will provide Waterford with a unique opportunity to lead a continent-wide discussion on how festive celebrations can be both joyful and sustainable, reflecting the city’s ongoing commitment to innovation, community and environmental stewardship. 

Organised in partnership with the EU Capital of Christmas Network, the conference will feature case studies from European 'Capitals of Christmas' and workshops focused on reducing carbon footprints and waste during large public events. 

It will also include networking sessions with sustainability experts and provide opportunities for collaboration and funding guidance for local initiatives.

Among the speakers, Tim Benson, CEO of Showpower Global, will discuss how his company has transformed the live music industry through sustainable energy solutions. Showpower Global is responsible for the design and management of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres touring battery system. 

With its 1.25MW output and 1.66MWh of energy storage capacity, it represents a world first and remains the only system to have powered a major stadium tour entirely through battery power.

Rob Van Wegan, a leader in festival sustainability, with over two decades of experience in the events industry, will share insights into integrating sustainability as a core part of organisational culture. 

Having worked across both rural and urban festivals and in a range of art forms, he brings extensive practical knowledge of embedding environmental responsibility into every stage of event planning.

Gawain Morrison, co-founder of Brink!, in Belfast, will speak about the role of creativity and culture in addressing climate change. As a producer and strategist, Gawain uses arts and community engagement to spark conversations around waste, biodiversity loss, and sustainable urban regeneration. 

His work with the Belfast Sustainable Food Partnership and in developing cultural spaces on derelict sites exemplifies how creativity can drive social and environmental progress.

Chef JB Dubois, originally from Lunéville in northeast France and now Head Chef at Mount Congreve Gardens, will share his passion for zero-waste cooking and the use of local, seasonal produce. 

With over twenty years of culinary experience in Ireland, including at GIY’s Grow HQ Café, Dubois champions a sustainable approach to food that aligns perfectly with Mount Congreve’s ethos and its celebrated Walled Gardens.

As part of the programme, Winterval Director, Trevor Darmody, and Finn Brophy, of Waterford City and County Council, will present Winterval Waterford as a showcase of sustainable event practice to visiting delegates.

Over 50 representatives from eight European locations will join Irish participants for the two-day event, creating a unique opportunity to share experience and innovation in building greener, more community-focused festivals.

“We are delighted to host this important European conversation in Waterford,” said Chair of Winterval Claire Hartley. 

“Our goal is to celebrate the joy of Christmas while taking real steps toward sustainability in our public events.” 

The conference fee is €100 per delegateBookings can be made online at https://shop.beyonk.com/4xwexbrs/experiences/48091g6h.