Reporting advancements and achievements in the realm of environmental sustainability within the exhibition industry will be easier and more standardized thanks to a new template from UFI.
UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, has released a simplified version of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability-reporting guidelines dedicated to the exhibition industry, UFI officials announced.
“The aim of this simple tool is to assist companies as they initiate the process of reporting sustainability achievements,” said Paul Woodward, managing director, UFI. “It applies to companies of all sizes in the entire exhibition supply chain. By ensuring reporting consistency, the exhibition industry can position itself strongly in the face of the economic, environmental and social challenges we face today.”
The template for sustainability reporting in the exhibition industry identifies the key indicators to be used for venues, organizers and service providers. It also includes 10 indicators appearing as a “top priority” across all three segments. The indicators include initiatives to reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, financial benefits from sustainability initiatives, sustainable-sourcing initiatives and benefits received from suppliers.
The adaptation of GRI’s reporting framework was developed by a working group of UFI’s Sustainable Development Committee with the assistance of UFI education partner Positive Impact of the United Kingdom.
“Industry associations are among the key players needed in this global effort to developing sustainability, and GRI welcomes the efforts of UFI to support the exhibition industry in producing sustainability reports using the GRI Guidelines,” said Maaike Fleur, senior manager, GRI Reporting Framework. “The exhibition industry has a great opportunity to leverage sustainability performance and to reach a wide audience.”
UFI member organizations ADNEC of the United Arab Emirates, AUMA of Germany, BPA Worldwide of the United States, Direct Energy Centre in Canada, Reed Exhibitions of the United Kingdom and UBM of the Netherlands added their global experience to the creation of this reporting framework, which meets the specific needs of the exhibition industry.
The UFI template and other information on UFI actions in the field of sustainability are available online at www.ufi.org/susdev. UFI also is developing a publicly accessible, dedicated section of its website, which will provide reports on sustainability from across the exhibition industry.
UFI is the association of the world’s leading tradeshow organizers and exhibition-center operators as well as the major national and international exhibition associations and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry.
UFI represents more than 630 member organizations in 85 countries around the world. More than 900 international tradeshows bear the UFI-approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors alike. UFI members continue to provide the international business community with a unique marketing media aimed at developing outstanding face-to-face business opportunities.
