Preview
Net Zero , innovation and inspiration to infuse IMEX America programme
T he IMEX Group announced its new Net Zero Strategy , in August , which it will use as a roadmap for delivering a net zero business by 2030 .
It is a strategy focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas ( GHG ) emissions in the course of producing both IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America shows each year .
The group is aiming to work closely with exhibitors and stand constructors to increase the percentage of reusable and sustainable materials used in building each show . The IMEX team will also work with suppliers to gather data that provide a comprehensive emissions footprint – this baseline will then guide future reduction decisions . Data will include indirect greenhouse gas impacts , including emissions from food production , as well as attendee , exhibitor , and staff travel .
The group ’ s partners , MeetGreen will measure and report on the shows ’ sustainability achievements , building on the Sustainable Event Report for IMEX America 2022 which recently made public the show ’ s energy usage , F & B , materials consumption , reuse and its community impact .
This measurement will now be expanded as IMEX embarks on the next phase of its emissions accounting and management journey through a another partnership with events industry body isla . Using its platform TRACE , IMEX will measure and report on travel emissions for everyone attending the shows .
Carina Bauer , CEO of the IMEX Group , explains : “ Our journey to net zero is about incremental steps . Initially we ’ re focussing on areas that we can fully control , such as the type of energy we use . Then we ’ ll expand to areas where we can have significant impact , for example waste management and the materials used in our supply chain . Finally , we will be measuring the impact of travel .
“ We ’ ll be using our ongoing reports to disclose progress . Our roadmap isn ’ t just about IMEX achieving net zero , but encouraging and leading others to do the same .”
There will be a dedicated area for education around sustainability at IMEX America in October . The IMEX | EIC People and Planet Theatre is part of the show ’ s Inspiration Hub , sponsored by Webex . Seed Talks : Planting Ideas showcases stories of
IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer
positive earned change , while Impacts & Innovations is a series of snappy destination case studies offering practical legacy solutions .
This year ’ s show in Las Vegas , which has 3,000 global buyers registered at time of writing , is set to be bigger than ever . Arizona , Boston , Chicago , LA , Miami , New Orleans , San Francisco and Seattle have all expanded their stand space and Denver will have its largest ever booth . California , Detroit , Orlando , Omaha and Montreal are among the destinations investing in sponsored activations and Wales is among the destinations exhibiting for the first time .
With the event technology sector going through massive change , including the rapid adoption of AI , attendees are promised a wide choice of providers offering event platforms , chatbots , analytics and apps designed to respond to current market needs . Cvent , EventMobi , Fielddrive , RefTech and STOVA are among the tech companies confirmed at the show so far .
Learning programme The 2023 show ’ s learning programme has been simplified to enhance show floor meetings between buyers and suppliers . Tahira Endean , head of programming at IMEX , explains : “ This year we ’ re testing plenty of new short-form formats ; we ’ ve challenged our speakers to create presentations that are engaging and instantly usable to meet the new ways that people want to consume information . Short . Snappy . Entertaining . Easy to remember and digest … these are the buzzwords of our education programming .
“ And with Human Nature as the IMEX Talking Point for 2023 , we ’ ve intentionally crafted our programme to deliver a balance of both personal and professional growth opportunities .” n
IMEX America runs at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas , 17-19 October , with Smart Monday , powered by MPI on 16 October .
ISSUE 126 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 43