Attendees will be able to travel to a major business convention in buses powered by hydrogen energy.
The 2024 Convention for the Western Gateway will bring together leaders, businesses, academics and government representatives from across South Wales and Western England to discuss how the area can work together to develop the economy.
The event, due to take place in July at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, will also be a launch pad for a new Plan for Sustainable Growth for the area.
Following a deal with Swansea based firm, Hyppo, delegates for the event will be able to travel via low-carbon hydrogen buses, with pick-up spots at Newport and Bristol Parkway and train stations.
The Western Gateway is the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England. Stretching from St Davids in Pembrokeshire to Swindon, the partnership brings together business, academia and local leaders to work together to create new opportunities for communities.
John Wilkinson, Director of the Western Gateway, said:
“It is great to be able to offer clean travel to our convention following this agreement with Chris Foxall and the team at Hyppo. Hyppo have been a great supporter of the Western Gateway’s work to develop a hydrogen ecosystem across our two countries to see how we can use this new energy source to decarbonise important industry and future-proof our aerospace and wider transport sectors.
“After the success of our cross-border Hydrogen Gateway conference last year, we are really pleased to partner in this unique free, low carbon travel option to this year’s event.
“Our 2024 Convention will be a major event in the UK calendar. Our area has huge potential to create major economic opportunities for the UK with world leading innovation and major industry. At this convention we want to bring business together with our local leaders to understand how we can take this to the next level and compete on the global stage.”
Chris Foxall, CEO of Hyppo, said:
“I am really pleased to be supporting this Western Gateway Convention along with our supply chain partners. Hydrogen fuelled transport is no longer the future – we are delivering it now and need to continue to grow this capacity as the Western Gateway continues to shape the future economy.
“We see a future where clean hydrogen is powering every part of our transportation needs and I hope attendees will enjoy the ride and see the potential to expedite the shift away from fossil fuels.”
The convention is due to take place on July 5. Travel on the hydrogen bus can be booked alongside tickets for the event via the convention website: https://web.cvent.com/event/1fd74371-dfcd-4cf4-8116-fe67ffeb1102/summary
