The future Bauer says there is still more to do .
“ We ’ ve gone quite far down the line in reduction of plastic , but there ’ s a lot more to do . It ’ s about getting exhibitors and stand constructors on board . There are a lot of event materials like tables and chairs left behind . We have given away
10,000kg of furniture to charities . But the biggest thing for us is reduction of carbon .
“ Being a show with a lot of international travel , you do come to the question of how far you can go ? We ’ re not in charge of the travel ecosystem . You can control what you can ’ t impact , but we can look at offsetting and
IMEX ’ s sustainable credentials
Some examples of how IMEX is performing greenly
➤ IMEX Frankfurt is powered 100 % by hydroelectricity . ➤ 30 % of electricity at IMEX America comes from Mandalay Bay ’ s solar array . ➤ 100 % of carbon emissions were offset at IMEX America in 2021 . ➤ Watercoolers on stands save 14,000 bottles from landfill .
➤ Using waterwise meat options like chicken and turkey instead of beef conserves water , because livestock feed , such as grass , soybean , and corn , require significant water .
➤ Compostable cutlery helps reduce single-use plastics at the shows .
➤ Leftover hotel amenities are turned into hygiene kits and donated to the Shade Tree shelter .
➤ Bamboo lanyards and stand materials are collected for reuse by Teachers Exchange .
➤ 80 % of mixed waste in Frankfurt is recycled and the energy generated by incinerating the remainder generates free power for the community .
➤ Polypropylene carpets is made with 100 % recycled content and 98 % is saved for reuse or recycled .
➤ All signage is vinyl-free , reusable and recyclable paperboard . ➤ All print uses FSC-certified paper , vegetable and soy-based inks .
➤ IMEX Group signed up to Net Zero Carbon Events pledge in 2021 , with the aim of being net zero by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gases 50 % by 2030 . encouraging people to take different modes of transport .
“ But for example if a planner goes to IMEX Frankfurt and meets 10 different destinations , that might be 10 less trips . Co-locating and building more efficiency into the week has an impact .”
Measuring our carbon imprint is going to be a significant issue for the exhibitions sector moving forwards , Bauer says .
“ As an industry we are going to have to show clients how it benefits their triple bottom line . Showing them how to operate at our events more sustainably , demonstrating what we are doing , but also how to calculate the offsetting .
“ If you don ’ t want to be altruistic and simply business focused , if you cannot help your clients do this ; you will lose business . Big corporations are all looking at their ESG and it ’ s not coherent to be outstanding on one side of the business and run events in a different way .
“ In just the same way as people strike a line through events if they don ’ t understand the business benefits of attending , they will be cancelled as carbon centres . You will have to show why it is worth using your carbon credits on that event rather than something else .
“ Businesses if they ’ re forward thinking need to start thinking about that now . Every tonne of carbon makes a difference but you have to look at that if you care about our future .
“ What I would say to people in the industry today is don ’ t have your head in the sand about it . Whether it ’ s for altruistic reasons or hard-nosed business reasons , this is coming down the line .”
The bottom line for Bauer is we have no choice but to act and work together .
“ It is so important ,” she concludes . “ If you believe climate change is happening , then ultimately we all have a responsibility to make an impact . Each of us individually is not going to solve that .” EN
May — 15