Conference & Meetings World Issue 130 Issue 130 | Page 57

Brisbane helps reduce organic food waste by up to 80 %, and turning it into high-concentrate soil fertiliser to be used in the surrounding community .

That attitude also extends to many of the organisations that support the infrastructure . Brisbane-based Outstanding Display is tackling the issue of reducing event waste at the very start of the construction process . Whereas traditional Coreflute fascia end up in landfill , this company offers fascia made of eco-board or paper , all of which are 100 % recyclable . The company has also developed an eco-friendly shell scheme system – Ascot – supplemented by the sustainable Nexus system , for organisers and exhibitors with bigger budgets who require a bigger impact on the audience , but not the planet .
“ We have a number of innovative products that are either recyclable or reusable , explained business development director Belinda
Meredith . “ The exhibitions industry typically generates a lot of waste . Not us . Our fascia offering is just the beginning ; our large-scale fabric signage made using recyclable materials and low-tox environmentally friendly ink , is also fully recyclable at the end of its life .” She adds : “ We ’ ve also implemented our ‘ Trees for Display ’ s ’ initiative , ensuring one tree is planted for every exhibition booth we build .”
And when the event ends for the day , the same commitment to sustainability pervades many of the hotels . Take the Crystalbrook Vincent , the Brisbane property of the five-star chain . The brand offer is “ opulence with eco-consciousness , prioritsing initiatives that not only preserve but enhance the guest experience .” From its partnership with TerraCycle , offering a zero-waste solution for coffee capsules , to employing recycled coat hangers and maintaining 100 % waste-free bathrooms , every aspect of the hotel ’ s operation is meticulously designed to minimise its environmental footprint , winning silver status accreditation from EarthCheck , a leading global scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism .
From restaurants that serve food sourced within a three hour drive , to recycled wooden key cards , every aspect of the hotel ’ s operation has been designed to create planet-friendly , guilt-free experiences .
Connecting for conferencing Of course , organisers have to consider a wealth of other factors , such as transport , and Brisbane again leads the way . The city ’ s modern public transport system – including buses , trains , bikes , and electric scooters – is convenient , reliable , and easy to use . And getting to the city for international travellers is becoming even easier with a swathe of global
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