“ We ’ ve seen a real shift in Vegas , “ she says . “ The hotels have made massive strides to become more sustainable , to build massive solar arrays in desert , roof gardens , wormeries . Being somewhere like Vegas makes you especially focus on water usage .”
In Frankfurt any waste unable to be recycled or reused is incinerated to generate electricity for the local grid . But the same efficient incineration facilities were not available in Las Vegas .
IMEX America is now powered by 30 % solar energy – generated at venue Mandalay Bay ’ s solar array in the Nevada desert . The remaining 70 % is offset , making their consumption 100 % renewable .
Green Squad Leading the individual changes that build up to the business ’ s overall sustainability strategy is the IMEX Green Squad .
Senior operations manager Roger Lehner started the Green Squad to encourage IMEX staff who were passionate about sustainability .
“ You can ’ t just look at carbon , there ’ s no point looking at zero carbon then sending your waste to landfill .”
Working together with the venues , contractors and key suppliers was crucial to making the big changes .
One of the first adjustments was offering exhibitors water refill stations on their stands , saving 12,000 plastic bottles from landfill . The Green Squad ’ s incremental changes have led to wider improvements .
Lehner says : “ For many years IMEX purchased renewable energy for our own consumption , then a few years ago we mandated that only renewable electricity was offered to our exhibitors . We decided we don ’ t want to give them the option . We haven ’ t had a single negative comment . Fast forward two years and Messe Frankfurt has now switched to renewable electricity throughout .
“ We can ’ t claim it was all down to us , but it ’ s definitely been a signal . It ’ s about 10 % more expensive for exhibitors , so that must have given them confidence .
“ Rigid signage is normally made from plastic-based foam core and not traditionally recycled , but there ’ s a material called Re-board , they didn ’ t offer it until we asked for it . It is paper based so it can go into the normal paper waste . They offer it to everyone now .
“ One thing that is very wasteful is carpet . There are sustainable products available but not widely used just yet . We have been able to make significant changes . This year at IMEX Frankfurt we will use carpet that is made from recycled materials and then made into new carpet after the show .”
Consultants MeetGreen will be working for the first time at this year ’ s IMEX Frankfurt – meaning the company will be able to make a like for like comparison between their two shows , as well as measuring themselves against EIC Sustainable Events Standards .
May — 13