Tomorrow is Earth Day. In observance of the environmental occasion, the IMEX Group has announced several major sustainability initiatives that will color this year's IMEX in Frankfurt trade show several new shades of green.
One such initiative is called Waste Watchers. In partnership with local non-government organization ShoutOutLoud, the IMEX team will reduce waste at IMEX in Frankfurt by providing opportunities for everyone to reuse and recycle an extensive range of materials, including leftover food, furniture, stand graphics, flowers, and stationery that would otherwise go to waste. Such materials can be donated daily and will be distributed to those in need with the help of a local food network and refugee support group.
IMEX is also committed to saving paper this year. In fact, it will save 2.7 tons of it by foregoing its traditional printed show catalog. Instead, hosted buyers and visitors will be encouraged to access information about exhibitors and education sessions by visiting the event website or by downloading and using the show app. Paper will further be saved by printing name badges on paper instead of card stock.
Meanwhile, the entire trade show will be powered by hydroelectricity, thereby reducing the event's total carbon footprint.
"We continually seek to develop innovative systems to reduce the ecological impact of our own use of resources and materials. We also encourage and make it easier for exhibitors and buyers to contribute in their own way," IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer said in a statement. "We work closely with our partners … to achieve this. It's a lot of work, for them and for us, but we care and we believe it's worth it."
Attendees who are further interested in sustainability will be able to learn about it during the show's education program. Among the sessions on offer, for example, will be "Global Destinations Sustainability Index: Driving Performance and Competitiveness," by Guy Bigwood of MCI, who will explain his company's partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), with which it produces the Global Destinations Sustainability Index to help drive sustainable practices across the meetings industry.
The founder of Positive Impact, Fiona Pelham, also will present, detailing her company's yearlong campaign to showcase the power of events as part of the United Nations' International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development campaign.
"Our approach to sustainability is both to lead by example and to shine a spotlight on key industry campaigns -- for example, through our sponsorship of Positive Impact's campaign to tell the story of the power of events during the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017," Bauer said. "We're committed to supporting their target of 2 million shares of the hashtag #shareapositiveimpact … That means both before and during the show we'll be inviting everyone to share photos or examples of good sustainable ideas, either in their home communities, on their travels, or once they get to Frankfurt. We're also championing the UNWTO's call for Ambassadors. They need event pros who are prepared to step up, speak out, and advocate sustainable events."
Finally, this year's show will see a new awards program: the IMEX-GMIC Green Award - the Innovation in Sustainability Award. The new award is designed to "highlight inspiring event professionals who are driving sustainability forward through innovation, collaboration, and idea sharing," according to IMEX, which will present the award at the Gala Dinner at IMEX in Frankfurt.
Concluded Bauer, "IMEX has always been committed to supporting sustainable and socially responsible practices within the meetings industry … We will continue to provide education and awareness to suppliers and buyers within the industry to support the ongoing development of best practice. And we'll keep on asking more of our partners and suppliers. This really is a game that you win by working together. And it's one of the reasons why our new IMEX Group strapline is: We Are All Connected."
This year's IMEX in Frankfurt trade show takes place May 16-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. For more information, visit www.imex-frankfurt.com.
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