IMEX, the global meetings industry's annual gathering in Frankfurt, Germany, has begun accepting nominations for its 2009 Green Awards. The annual awards program includes four prizes that go to environmentally friendly companies, exhibitors, suppliers and communities within the meetings and events industry.
IMEX 2009 will take place May 26-29, 2009, in Frankfurt. Nominations are being accepted until March 6, 2009, for the following awards, the winners of which will be chosen by an independent judging panel made up of industry representatives and environmental experts:
• The Green Meetings Award: IMEX's most established green award, the Green Meetings Award is given to corporations and agencies that have embraced green meeting principles in order to realize extensive environmental improvements and savings.
• The Green Exhibitor Award: IMEX's Green Exhibitor Award goes to trade show exhibitors who employ a "reuse and recycle" strategy in designing their exhibitor stands and displays, thereby eliminating and reducing waste.
• The Green Supplier Award: IMEX's newest award, the Green Supplier Award, was created last year in order to recognize meetings industry suppliers—including meetings venues and hotels—who support and invest in green meetings and events.
• The Commitment to the Community Award: IMEX's Commitment to the Community Award recognizes meetings and events professionals who have created projects that benefit charitable initiatives within their communities.
In an effort at practicing what it preaches, IMEX has incorporated a number of green initiatives and practices into its annual event. Its 2008 trade show, for instance, was the first show in the meetings industry to be powered by green energy—hydroelectric power, to be exact.
For more information on IMEX 2009, or to download nomination forms for the 2009 Green Awards, visit
www.imex-frankfurt.com.