This year's Keighley Business Forum-organised Northern Environmental Conference (NEC) takes on international significance through a pioneering trans-Atlantic link-up with the United States.

The conference - the biggest waste minimisation event of its kind outside London - has for the last two years been staged at Ilkley. But this year its development will necessitate a move to a larger venue in Leeds.

The NEC, to be held in November, is targeted at senior managers from leading UK companies, enabling them to achieve competitive advantage through good environmental practice.

Forum director Iain Copping says: "We have been asked to take our award-winning, nationally-recognised waste minimisation programme into the USA by the state of Arkansas, spearheaded through contacts at the Little Rock Visitor and Convention Bureau.

"This year's NEC will feature a first-ever trans-Atlantic link-up with Little Rock. It appears likely that high-profile figures will be directly involved in the conference, with KBF president Sir James Hill co-chairing in the US and a leading figure from the States undertaking a similar role here in Yorkshire."

The conference will also be attended by representatives from the Brittany region of France, with which the forum recently signed an agreement to jointly develop new waste minimisation programmes of European significance. There will be further international representation from South Africa and China.

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