Belfast Waterfront Hall is the venue for this year's CIEH annual conference and exhibition, and for veterans and newcomers alike, it promises to be the biggest environmental health event of the year. A slightly revised format sees conference being held over three days, between 23 and 25 September, with speakers drawn from all walks of environmental health life. With the event themed around developing new partnerships in environmental health, there is a special focus on "working in business". Sessions aim to illustrate the fact that environmental health professionals are increasingly positioning themselves away from local government and moving into the private sector, primary care trusts and the voluntary sector.

The revised format will provide a newer, more interactive platform for delegates, speakers and CIEH staff to debate the issues of the day, exchange new ideas and network. Graham Jukes, CIEH chief executive, explains: "We regard this as an invaluable opportunity to gather the views of our members on policy matters and on the issues that we are lobbying on." Mr Jukes will be chair of the first plenary session "Setting the framework - the new partnerships", which will follow on from the keynote address, set to be given by Dr Patrick Wall, former chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

"Setting the framework - the new partnerships" promises to discuss the issues around setting parameters for new ways of working to deliver the environmental health agenda and look at ways in which the profession can prove it has a valuable role in the wider agenda of public health and sustainable development. Jonathan Rees, director of consumer and competition policy at the Department of Trade and Industry, and Hewitt Roberts, chief executive of Entropy International, will strive to promote new ways of working in partnership to support businesses and sustainable communities. Delegates in this session should also look out for the launch of an exciting new initiative! Watch this space.

Still on the theme of environmental health in the private sector, Mike Kelly, head of food safety and environmental health at British Airways, Dave Smith, chief executive of Eastleigh Housing Association, and Sterling Crew, commercial and policy support manager at Tesco, will close the first day with a stimulating session that aims to prompt delegates from the local government sector to look more closely at the extent to which many businesses endeavour to comply with legislation through positive partnership work with enforcement agencies. Speakers will outline the ways in which their own companies deal with the environmental health issues that are specific to them, and the value to business of employing environmental health practitioners to undertake this work.

But this year's event encompasses much more than this, and the rest of the week sees a packed programme that deals with the so-called "traditional" areas of environmental health work; from food enforcement and unfit meat, to health and safety, pest management and housing. If you have a professional interest in promoting environmental health, in any sector, the CIEH extends you a warm welcome.

So, if you haven't already got your place at conference booked - what are you waiting for?

Late bookings

For information on how to book a delegate place contact Simon Gannon at the CIEH on tel: 020 7827 5923 email: s.gannon@chgl.com. Bookings can also be made on-line at www.cieh.org. For information on sponsorship packages for companies and organisations, or if you would like to book exhibition space, contact Karen Eliot on tel: 020 7827 5859 email k.eliot@chgl.com.