The German Convention Bureau (GCB) will make its stand at IMEX 2013 an environmentally friendly operation for the first time.
The activity at this year’s show, scheduled May 21-23 in Frankfurt, Germany, underlines the GCB’s commitment to sustainability in the meetings industry. The GCB is the umbrella organization for the German events industry and has committed itself to promoting sustainable development in the country. As well as benefiting the environment, the strategy reinforces Germany’s status as a global leader in the field of sustainable events, helping its businesses to secure long-term success in a competitive global market.
“All aspects of trade fairs should be sustainable and we are delighted to be working with such capable partners to make this a reality,” said Matthias Schultze, managing director, GCB.
The GCB is working with CO2OL, Forest Finance Service GmbH, for the first time in 2013 in order to offset the CO2 emissions resulting from its stand. This will include the emissions produced by exhibitors and service-providers traveling to and from the venue as well as the carbon footprint created by technical equipment, overnight stays and waste disposal.
The exhibitors at the Germany stand, a total of 215 businesses and organizations, have been encouraged to consider the impact of travel, logistics and the printing and distribution of their brochures. Exhibitors in the outdoor area can get involved by checking CO2OL’s CO2 calculator via the GCB homepage to work out their potential carbon footprint for IMEX and putting in place measures to minimize it.
The GCB’s focus on sustainability continues through its tendering process for external service-providers. Catering supplier Accente Gastronomie Service GmbH fulfilled all of the GCB’s criteria by sourcing ingredients directly from the surrounding region wherever possible, selecting seasonal produce and placing particular emphasis on fair trade products. Furthermore, Accente has a growing fleet of electric cars and saves resources by employing low-emission vehicles. The caterer is dedicated to running an ethical and socially responsible business by monitoring the conditions in which imported goods are manufactured.
The GCB represents and markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international scale. It is the first point of contact for companies, associations and organizations around the world planning events in Germany.
Acting as a connector to the wide range of German event service providers, venues and host cities, the GCB provides hands-on advice and support to planners and executives in all industries and organizations. To bring maximum value, quality and customization to each meeting and event hosted in Germany, the GCB also helps hosts and attendees leverage the country’s deep expertise in green meetings and key industries such as pharmaceuticals, financials, automotive, logistics & transportation, and technology.
The GCB’s more than 200 members include leading hotels, convention centers, destinations, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and conventions industry. The GCB website, www.germany-meetings.com, serves as a useful online tool to find detailed information on Germany, search venues and vendors, get tips for green meetings, catch up on the latest news, access travel guides and much more.
