The UK’s Flood and Coastal risk management community gathered this week at the largest gathering of flood risk thought leaders in the country.

Convened by the Environment Agency, there were over 32 conference sessions, 80 exhibitors and 170 speakers including some from the US and Netherlands.

Clare Dinnis, Deputy Director at the Environment Agency said:

“Flood and Coast 2017 has been a fantastic opportunity to bring together the partners that share responsibility for reducing and managing flood risk. We have met old friends, made new connections and generated real energy and passion for our work together.”

“Our sessions have covered the breadth of the work we do together from the latest in technical modelling and visualisation to the human impacts of flooding on people’s lives and the communities in which they live and work.

“The conference focused on the core shared values of partnership working, leadership and integration and has strengthened the common purpose and shared ownership of the challenges we face together”.

Val Johnston-Jones, Event Director, said:

“We are delighted with this year’s conference and exhibition and feedback has been exceptionally positive, paving the way to develop the show and conference for the future. One of the days focused on local authorities, who work collaboratively with the Environment Agency and local communities to mitigate the devastating effects of inland flooding and coastal erosion.”

The conference comprised 3 plenary sessions and nearly 30 other talks and workshops covering the themes of ‘Leadership and Strategy’, ‘Enabling Growth’ and ‘Global Perspectives and Integration’. The event was aimed at local authorities, government, utility companies, consultants, infrastructure professionals, architects, planners and emergency services.