European Demolition Association cites “lack of financial transparency” from organiser.
In an unprecedented move, European Demolition Association president Yves Canessa has publicly criticised international magazine publisher KHL, the originators of the Demolition Awards, blaming the organisers’ apparent “lack of financial transparency” as a key reason for the Association’s decision to terminate its agreement.
The EDA had been keen advocates of the inaugural Demolition Awards, using its own conventions as a platform to promote last year’s event. Indeed, senior members of the EDA – including past president Jan Brandis, current vice president Giuseppe Panseri and Canessa himself – were among the judging panel.
However, it is now clear that the EDA and KHL have parted company in a not-entirely-amicable manner, as Yves Canessa’s strongly-worded statement (below) demonstrates:
In 2008 the EDA President signed a one year agreement with KHL to co-operate on the Demolition Awards, which could take place in connection to the annual EDA Autumn Conference.
At the end of 2009 the EDA and the KHL evaluated our co-operation and explored the ways to move forward.
The main points of concern for the EDA were the lack of influence in strategic decisions and KHL’s lack of transparency regarding financial reports.
According to KHL the result of the Demolition Awards and Summit 2009 was a deficit of 20,000 €. The KHL proposal for continued cooperation was for KHL to be in charge of all details regarding the Demolition Awards and the Summit only using EDA as a rubber stamp. This would put the EDA in a position where we were guests at our own party. The EDA President and the board didn’t find this was in the best interest of the European Demolition Association.
However, as we recognized that the collaboration with the D&Ri and KHL could open doors to new members for the EDA the board has written a number of letters and has held 2 intensive meetings with KHL in an attempt to find ways of how to work together also in the coming years. Unfortunately, none of the proposed scenarios for collaboration by EDA were accepted by the KHL. The EDA has withdrawn from the jury of the Demolition Awards and is no longer partner with KHL.
The 2010 Demolition Awards and Summit are scheduled to take place on 5 November 2010, once again at the Hotel Okura in Amsterdam.
