Ipswich based Consense, the UK’s leading provider of online community and stakeholder engagement services, has been invited to present at next week’s prestigious All Energy Exhibition and Conference.
The event, which takes place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from 23 rd – 24 th May, aims to showcase the latest renewable and sustainable energy technologies, whilst also providing developers with the opportunity to meet Europe’s leading suppliers of support services for the industry.
Jessica Topham, Director of Consense, will be presenting on the company’s award-winning approach to online consultation and social media as part of a wider session investigating the practice of local and national public engagement.
Jessica commented: “Securing community support for renewable projects is an increasingly complex challenge.
“In light of the localism act, passed in March this year, all developers are now required to deliver a comprehensive public consultation as part of their planning proposal and with so many mixed messages on renewable energy filling national headlines, it is becoming increasingly difficult for communities to make an informed decision.
“Our online consultation system, Open Debate, allows developers to engage the silent majority, who would not usually attend the traditional face-to-face exhibitions held in village halls and community clubs up and down the Country.
“We can provide communities and stakeholders with the facts and put any misconceptions to rest, whilst also giving them the opportunity to engage and interact with the developers in a fair, convenient and auditable environment.”
Jessica will also be presenting on the use of social media within the consultation process, a relatively new concept considering the overwhelming popularity of social media platforms in recent years.
Jessica added: “Until recently, developers have been wary of social media tools due to a lack of auditability and the open nature of sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
“At Consense, we utilise carefully selected technologies to raise awareness of a consultation rather than using it as a platform upon which stakeholders can ‘have their say’ on a project. We have implemented this approach with several of our existing clients and have been delighted with the increase in engagement, particularly from the younger and often ‘silent’ audience.”
Jessica will be presenting at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference on Thursday 24 th May from 13.45 to 15.15 in a session titled ‘Public Perception 1: Local and National Public Engagement’.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND staff, May 21, 2012; Image: Consense