The Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT) held its first annual seminar this week at AECOM London — and what an incredible evening it was! With a fantastic turnout and an electric atmosphere, the event was a true testament to the growing momentum and appeal of the new SoVT.
Attendees enjoyed a diverse programme of thought-provoking presentations, showcasing the depth and breadth of our industry:
- Phil Pearson (Pearson Consult) shared a practical look at lift maintenance, asking the tough question: “Is the customer really getting a good service?”
* Richard Peters (Peters Research) followed with a deep dive into *“80% – lift traffic design’s most misunderstood number” — sparking lively debate among the audience.
* Paul Clements (D2E) shared insights on future-proofing vertical transportation in London’s tall buildings, balancing innovation, heritage, and the public realm.
* Gemma Moore and Begüm Avdagiç (Dewhurst) wrapped up with their award-winning paper on digital out-of-home advertising in lifts — exploring how VT spaces can play a new role in communication and engagement.
* Codes and Standards Update by Phil Pearson on behalf of Adam Scott.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and supported this milestone event. The success of this seminar is a clear sign of exciting times ahead for SoVT and the vertical transportation industry!