The IMEX Group will continue to build on its strong environmental track record and reputation on green issues when it launches IMEX America in October 2011. To help the new U.S. tradeshow achieve its environmental objectives, the organizers have appointed MeetGreen as the show’s official sustainability consultants.
The first IMEX America will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo October 11-13, 2011. In the next year, the IMEX Group and its many partners will work closely with MeetGreen to set green standards for transportation, food and beverage, as well as the venue in particular.
Earlier this year the Las Vegas Sands Corporation unveiled Eco 360, a broad-ranging energy efficiency and environmental initiative.
With the recent Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of the Venetian and the conference center, the combined properties now comprise the largest adjoined LEED-certified building in the world. This, together with the company’s focus on developing vendor partnerships that comply with its green policies makes the Sands Expo the ideal home for IMEX America.
With the launch of its first tradeshow for the international meetings, events and incentive travel industry in Frankfurt eight years ago, the IMEX Group set out to establish new standards for environmental best practice in the exhibition industry. As a result this year, IMEX in Frankfurt reduced its total waste output by 30 tons compared to 2009. Paper usage was reduced by eight tons and cardboard by 7.5 tons. The company also sets yearly environmental goals for the recycling and reuse of a wide range of other materials including carpeting and visitor badges.
“Las Vegas is not usually top of mind when you think of sustainable destinations yet there are great strides being made by Las Vegas venues,” said Amy Spatrisano, principal of MeetGreen. “We’re looking forward to this tremendous opportunity in working with IMEX America to support their commitment to produce a sustainable tradeshow by using a progressive approach with Las Vegas venues and vendors to elevate the level of sustainable practices being implemented.”
“IMEX America is going to be a genuinely unique model of tradeshow,” said Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO. “The show will have three core pillars to it that will make it unlike any other tradeshow in the US; the largest hosted buyer program in North America combined with a unique online appointment system; a focus on high quality, professional education supported by our strategic partner and major educational providers, MPI; and a dedication to sustainability and innovation. We intend to do our utmost to meet and set some very demanding green standards for IMEX America and MeetGreen’s expertise and guidance, as well as their excellent industry partnerships, will play a fundamental role in helping us achieve our objectives.”
MeetGreen works with progressive global organizations to integrate sustainable practices and produce conferences and events that deliver targeted business results. Since the company’s founding in 1994, MeetGreen has pursued its vision to continuously transform the global meetings industry through leadership, innovation, education and performance.
IMEX America’s unique model will ensure that 2,000 hosted buyers from the association, corporate and agency sectors attend the show. Hosted buyers will from North America make up 80 percent and 20 percent are from the rest of the world. All will place business internationally, as well as in the U.S., and all will benefit from exclusive access to the IMEX online appointment and diary messaging tools, which this year generated over 57,000 group and individual business appointments between buyers and exhibitors at IMEX in Frankfurt.
