IMEX in Frankfurt has invited exhibitors at this year’s May 21-23 show to make a sustainable exhibiting pledge as it continues to increase its commitment to demonstrating and leading through best practice in sustainability.
“Our approach to sustainability is to lead by example, to encourage others to aim higher and to shine a spotlight on key industry campaigns,” says Carina Bauer, chief executive officer of the IMEX Group. “This year I’m inviting exhibitors to make a sustainable exhibiting pledge, to implement three simple green initiatives to help reduce their environmental impact at the show. A list of ideas on how to do this features in our IMEX in Frankfurt 2019 Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.”
In January the IMEX Group highlighted its commitment by making sustainability the third “pillar” of this year’s IMEX talking point, “Imagination.”
“We’re asking everyone in the global meetings industry to imagine a new beginning: to ask what if we all really committed to cutting down waste? We’ve continued to improve our own sustainability performance at both of our shows each year and we’re proud to say that our Frankfurt show is now 100 per cent hydro-powered. Thanks to our waste donation program plus the responsible recycling systems at Messe Frankfurt, we now send zero waste to landfill. This is virtually unheard of in the exhibition business,”Bauer explains,
“Our work to reduce and recycle more waste generated by both exhibitors and visitors is explained in our first ever IMEX in Frankfurt sustainability report which joins our annual IMEX America sustainability report.”
In line with its determination to lead the industry forward, IMEX was a launch partner when the Events Industry Council introduced its principles of sustainable events in January after hosting two forums at IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America in 2018 when these principles were formulated.
A further element of its commitment to leading the industry, the IMEX team believes in sharing what it knows and has learned through experience. At IMEX in Frankfurt, learning about sustainability will feature prominently throughout the show. Starting on Monday, May 20, there will be more than 20 opportunities to learn about sustainability among the 250 plus sessions in the extensive education program at the Inspiration Hub. What’s more, the first ever Sustainability Policy Round table, supported by Edmonton, will bring together industry leaders and experts to share insights at the InterContinental Frankfurt on May 21.
Furthermore, in partnership with the Events Industry Council (EIC), IMEX will salute an organization making a significant commitment to reducing its environmental impact by announcing the winner of the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award at the IMEX Gala Dinner on May 22.
“At both shows we continue to work closely with our partners including Meet Green, EIC, The Venetian,| The Palazzo, Sands Expo, Messe Frankfurt and GES. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing education, inspiration and leadership on sustainability issues. The business events industry still has a long way to go before thinking green is the first thought, not the last,”Bauer says,
IMEX America 2019, America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings & events, will be held in Sept. 10-12 in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian and The Palazzo, preceded by Smart Monday, powered by MPI on Sept. 9.
The mission of IMEX is to unite and advance the meetings industry, doing everything to educate, innovate and help industry executives make powerful connections with the right people. For more info, visit www.imexamerica.com.
