by Debbie Hall, Exhibit City News
Sustainability is more than a trend; it is an integral part of the landscape of the exhibit and expo industry. Contractors, vendors and attendees have embraced sustainability for policies and procedures with their own business as well as working with clients and vendors.
“At MGM Resorts, we understand that sustainability is not just a nice thing to do—it is a fundamental aspect of being a responsible business,” said Stephanie Glanzer (right), CMP, Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President for MGM Resorts International. “By hosting an event at an MGM Resorts property, clients are already reducing the environmental impacts of their meetings. Our Mega Solar Array generates up to 90 percent of our Las Vegas daytime power needs; we minimize water use through industry-leading conservation efforts, and through our robust recycling and composting program, we divert more than 30 materials from landfills. In addition to these existing sustainability measures, we have designed comprehensive solutions to enhance event sustainability.”
Edward Pimienta, (right) from the Department of Marketing and Digital Innovation at Expo Convention Contractors, stated that his company is focusing on impact measurement with technologies that facilitate detailed sustainability reporting. Their goal is to be aligned with sustainability trends and plan to integrate them in the best way possible in their events.
“We’re still in the process of defining more precise strategies, but our main objectives are to strengthen our knowledge, preparation, and sustainability while ensuring that we make informed decisions aligned with global best practices,” explained Pimienta. “We’re also structuring and optimizing the sustainability committee, assigning responsibilities more efficiently to drive concrete actions. We’re in the process of reducing waste generation and reducing our corporate footprint at every event, implementing more sustainable practices and logistics, materials and resource management. We want to establish a measurement and reporting system that allows us to accurately assess the environmental impact of our actions and continuously improve our initiatives. We are projecting ourselves as a more sustainable and efficient company. We’re trying to consolidate our commitment to sustainability, generate a positive impact in our industry, and give back to our community and the planet.”
Convention services and catering teams are dedicated to realizing their clients’ visions for sustainable events. Clients must communicate their priorities with the general contractors and venues during the customization planning process.
Recommendations include sustainability measures such as using paper instead of plastic cups, reusable service ware, and participating in a materials diversion program. Clients can also choose to enhance their events with refillable water stations and sustainable menu design.
Venues such as MGM Resorts offer materials and waste programs where all waste is hand-sorted to maximize diversion. Edible Inc. is safely donating unserved food into communities through programs. Waste diverted includes food waste to pig farms and grease to biofuel. They offer entirely compostable box lunches that utilize a plant-based stamp.
“At some of our properties, we can coordinate zero waste or plastic-free events. Finally, we can provide solutions for helping events to be more socially sustainable by connecting clients to nonprofit organizations in our community,” added Glanzer.
The philosophy of MGM Resorts is that operating sustainability is the right thing to do and good for business, guests, employees and communities. The company’s ambitious goals within its operations are energy efficiency, water conservation and materials and waste diversion. Additionally, they have set science-based targets to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent by 2030. By partnering with clients who share its vision for a more environmentally sustainable future, MGM Resorts provides unmatched experiences for attendees while working together to lessen the impact on the planet.
When Haley Sandherr (left), event and account manager of Stetson Convention Services, registered for IMEX while setting up registration and travel arrangements, she was asked online how she was traveling to the convention from her home state. IMEX also asked about her plans for transportation to and from the airport and her hotel room to the venues. Suggestions included bikes, walking, scooters, and public transportation.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen these options tied into event registration. It’s really important that for years to come, we as an industry use that example and build off that example,” Sandherr said.
The growing awareness of the tradeshow industry is to operate sustainably. Clients are increasingly looking to align the environmental impact of their events with their larger sustainability goals in impact areas such as waste reduction and circular solutions, carbon reduction, water conservation and sustainable sourcing. This has created an environment where tradeshow industries must look holistically at how to support clients with sustainable event solutions that complement and advance these larger organizational objectives, ensuring that every gathering contributes to, rather than detracts from, their sustainability objectives.
Suggestions for incorporating sustainability for tradeshows and expos
Reduce waste
Consolidate shipments: Avoid rush shipping, which produces more emissions than ground shipping
Reduce single-use packaging: Use digital brochures, coupons, and giveaway materials instead of paper
Use reusable materials: Provide reusable water bottles and compostable or reusable tableware
Recycle: Use recycling bins and recycle printed materials
Use
Use digital wayfinding instead of printed materials
Use digital signage instead of traditional printed signage
Use locally sourced food and beverages to support local businesses and limit shipping emissions
Use eco-friendly materials like bamboo or recycled fabrics for swag
Use reusable collection containers for food scraps
Use general contractors and venues with convention services and catering teams offering programs to create clean, safe and socially responsible event experiences
Regarding Las Vegas transportation
Use the Las Vegas Monorail, which is 100 percent electric
Use the Vegas Loop, which is a tunnel system with electric vehicles that creates zero emissions
This story originally appeared in the Q2 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 86. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_apr_may_jun_2025/86.
