EXHIBITION PREVIEW
From hero to zero
The New Zealand tourism sector ’ s dedication to maintaining its pristine environment is being supported by industry with news that MEETINGS is working towards net zero carbon certification
MEETINGS 2023 will be the greenest on record with a strategy by the event owner , Business Events Industry Aotearoa ( BEIA ), to reduce the event ’ s greenhouse gas emission footprint . The exhibition team is working towards Toitū net carbonzero certification as a certified event operation for its first event in New Zealand ’ s capital city , Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington .
Chief executive at BEIA , Lisa Hopkins , is excited to start the Toitū net carbon zero certification programme and promises further sustainability goals for MEETINGS 2023 : “ As the business events industry ’ s peak body , it is our role to lead the way in sustainability practices and make them core to everything we do ,” she said .
“ Working with Toitū to achieve this certification means all emissions associated with the planning and operations of MEETINGS 2023 will be measured , audited in alignment with strict world-leading criteria and offset via quality assessed carbon credits .
“ We expect our exhibitors and buyers are also committed to reducing environmental impact , which will give us the platform to work towards continual reduction of carbon emissions for MEETINGS year-on-year .”
Fittingly , the host venue for MEETINGS 2023 , the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre , holds a 5-Star Green Design certification from the New Zealand Green Building Council . It boasts high performance double glazing , automatically controlled LED lighting , heat pumps that reduce fossil fuels , ventilation and water efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting , energy efficiency signage options and environmentally-friendly materials sourced from sustainable forestry . Other initiatives for MEETINGS include :
w Carbon-offsetting hosted buyers ’ air travel with Air New Zealand ’ s FlyNeutral program w Reducing printed material w Eliminating satchels w Partnering with local charities , Kibosh Food Rescue , Gillies McIndoe Research and Wellington Zoo , to make donations on behalf of every hosted buyer .
Exhibitors are also being encouraged to support the environmentally responsible initiatives by :
w Offsetting carbon emissions from travel and freight to Wellington where possible w Using sustainable packaging w Reducing waste from one-time items by creating reusable generic signage or digital signage w Bringing reusable coffee cups and water bottles w Providing sustainable , eco-friendly and biodegradable giveaway items w Arranging for plants used on stands to be donated or re-planted .
Hosted buyers and visitors can also make a difference . Consider bringing reusable coffee cups or water bottles , taking your own carry bag and using the MEETINGS app . Staying near the host venue ? Try to walk to the exhibition . S
28 Executive PA | Winter Issue 2023