Press Releases

Just Help Haiti

RTE Meetings and Events portfolio backs Just a Drop appeal Support after initial relief period vital

Clean water charity Just a Drop is appealing to the meetings and events industry to raise funds to supply clean safe water to Haiti following the recent disaster. As emergency relief agencies continue to get the essential supplies through that are needed in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, Just a Drop is calling for donations to provide ongoing support for villages and communities. Following the natural disaster, thousands of people have died without access to clean, safe water supplies, while 50% of people currently in hospitals in Haiti are there due to dirty water.  Just a Drop will send in teams as soon as the initial relief period is over to help rebuild water and sanitation infrastructure and encourage displaced communities back to their villages and homes. Craig Moyes, recently appointed Group Exhibition Director, RTE Global Meetings and Events Portfolio said: “Whether it is for business or pleasure the very nature of the meetings sector is that it brings people together from across the world. We have a real opportunity to make a difference to those who desperately require fresh water to survive. I urge everyone to lend their support to this cause and to a country that needs our help and support.” Fiona Jeffery, founder and chairman of Just a Drop and chairman of World Travel Market, said: “With all disasters of this kind, water shortage is a major problem and fresh supplies are being urgently dispatched to the island. But once immediate needs are met, it is vital that support is ongoing so that the recovery process is sustained. “This means ensuring displaced communities are encouraged back their homes, villages and schools by rebuilding the water and sanitation infrastructure. Clean, fresh water is a life-giving commodity and the charity has a vital role to play. I urge everyone to lend their support because every little bit adds up to making a huge difference. That way people can start taking charge of their own lives again through agriculture, employment and education. In doing so their overall pride and sense of well being will be restored.” Carol Hay Caribbean Tourism Organisation director of marketing for UK and Europe said: "Just a Drop's commitment to Haiti at a time of such urgent need is incredibly valuable. On behalf of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation we would like to thank Just a Drop for fundraising for urgent water supplies and sanitation needs. Long after the headlines have gone Haiti will need our support and I would like to thank everyone in the industry who will work with Just a Drop to help us work towards recovery." In over ten years Just a Drop has helped more than one million children and their families from 29 countries building protected wells, installing piping and providing sanitation, including successful missions following the 2004 Tsunami and Hurricane Mitch in Grenada in 1998. After these disasters occurred, the international water charity ran appeals to raise funds to rebuild sustainable water supplies and encouraged displaced communities to return home. There are many ways to donate money to Just a Drop. Companies wishing to support the Appeal can either submit donations online via Just a Drop’s website www.justadrop.org, or send cheques made payable to Just a Drop, to the attention of Ana Sustelo – Just a Drop Co-Ordinator Gateway House, 28 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1DN.  Alternatively to make a BACS transfer, please contact Nikki Davis on the email address below. -Ends- To learn more about Just a Drop’s work please visit www.justadrop.org Contacts: If you would like to run an event to raise money for Just a Drop’s projects, please contact Nikki Davis, on: Phone: +44 (0)20 8910 7981 Email: nikki.davis@reedexpo.co.uk For media enquiries please contact: Fiona Jeffery at Just a Drop: Phone: 0208 910 7043 Email:fiona.jeffery@reedexpo.co.uk Or Simon Greenbury, Cut Communicatons Phone: 020 7096 2960 Email: Simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk Notes to Editors: 1. Reed Travel Exhibitions is part of Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading organiser of trade and consumer events which excels in creating high profile, highly targeted business and consumer exhibitions and events to establish and maintain business relations, and generate new business. 2. Every year Reed runs over 470 events in 37 countries, bringing together over 7 million active event participants worldwide. With over 2,700 employees in 38 offices around the globe Reed serves 44 industries worldwide. Our network of offices and promoters extends to 65 countries. With more market-leading events than any other organiser, nobody delivers more business contacts than Reed Exhibitions. 3. Reed Travel Exhibitions organise 14 events worldwide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, European Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM), Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM), Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), International Golf Travel Market, Top Resa, ICCA Exhibition, in association with the ICCA Congress, International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), La Cumbre, City Break, China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM), Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings (GIBTM) and Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM).   4. For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com <http://www.reedtravelexhibitions.com>. 5. Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 470 events in 37 countries. In 2008 Reed brought together over seven million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 38 fully staffed offices. 6. Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 470 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation, travel. 7. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field. 8. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In February 2009, Reed Elsevier reported revenues for 2008 of £5,334/€6,721m.