Newsletter

Rome Mediterranean No Dig 2007
newsletter n.4 (May 2007)

“ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME”

Nearly 2500 years ago the Roman Empire was starting to build its European roads network. There were even a set of specifications, known as the Twelve Tables, which included that roads should be 2.4 metres wide where straight and 4.8 meters wide where curved. The road network was for military purposes, allowing the Romans to move soldiers quickly, by horse and foot, around their empire.  Because Rome was at the centre of the network, the proverb slowly emerged that “All roads lead to Rome”.   Now 2500 years later in September 2007, all roads for the trenchless community will again lead to Rome for Mediterranean No Dig 2007.

EXCITING PROGRAMME

68 presentations have been accepted for the Conference programme which will be arranged in 14 technical sessions, each with a question and answer period to finish. In addition there will be a No Dig Italian Live Show in which Italian companies will present their latest products and services to specially invited representatives from the utilities and local government organisations from all over the country (ANCI, UPI, FIDERUTILITY, ASSISTAL, MINISTERO PER LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO, DIPARTIMENTO PER LE POLITICHE COMUNITARIE). There will also be a special session for ICE (Institute for Foreign Trade).

65 exhibitors have already booked stands occupying 2.500 sq. m of indoor space and 1.000 sq.m of outside space. The exhibition areas are adjacent to the conference rooms and food areas so that the compact setting is expected to be ideal for both delegates and exhibitors alike. There will be a free Internet Café to all visitors to keep in touch with home.

THE CONFERENCE HOTEL

The Ergife Palace Hotel has 700 rooms of which 400 have recently been modernised and have been made available for delegate reservations. Demand for rooms has already been high, so that all Standard rooms have been allocated, but there are still Superior rooms available at the specially discounted conference rate available through the conference secretariat, LSG (See below).
The hotel is also providing several special meal packages which will be ideal for busy delegates. LSG can also accept bookings for nearby hotels.

THE SOCIAL PROGRAMME

The Gala Evening will be held on Tuesday 11th of  September 2007. A special evening with a romantic atmosphere in a tipical roman style site, the "Casale di Tor di Quinto", a beautiful restaurant  called "Baba", where will be celebrated also the No Dig Awards 2007.  
There is a rich social programme available for all the No Dig participants and accompanying persons with tourist site-visits to ancient Rome, Vatican City, etc. www.no-dig2007.com
 

THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

The Organising Committee are working with a number of other “not for profit” organisations to attract decision makers to Rome from the 24 countries which have a coast line on the Mediterranean Sea.                                   

Many of these less well developed countries are facing significant problems with water shortages and sewage pollution yet have almost no exposure to the modern Trenchless techniques which could help them. The aim in Rome is to close the link and to provide a special session to introduce Trenchless Technology to them.