The events industry launched a net zero carbon initiative almost exactly a year ago, and many event organizations have since signed on, even if some of the actual benchmarking, reporting, and standardization of sustainability initiatives across the industry is still being worked out.
For now, it’s up to each organization to recruit the necessary partners and tools to meet their sustainability goals. The IMEX Group is providing a great example for the rest of the industry through its work with sustainability event management agency MeetGreen.
IMEX recently released its independent sustainability impact report for its 2021 IMEX America show, produced by MeetGreen, as it works towards its goal of net zero by the end of 2023. The report details various sustainability-related aspects of the show, including its energy use, material consumption and reuse, and community impact.
IMEX America achieved a high bar when it comes to sustainability initiatives and paves the way for even better results this year. In 2021, 143 kg of food and over 10,000 kg of event furniture and materials were donated in the Las Vegas community, and 100 percent of convention center carbon emissions were offset. Notably, only 1 percent of carpet was sent to landfill.
In addition, last year’s show in Las Vegas powered over 150,000 kilowatt-hours by renewable solar energy, eliminated over 12,000 plastic water bottles through reuse and “environmentally preferable material strategies,” and achieved a 95 percent landfill diversion rate for convention center activities — its highest landfill diversion rate to date.
“Our show is designed to recognise and champion all areas of sustainability — we know that event professionals are keen to learn more about how they can implement planet-friendly practices into their own events,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “They’re also mindful of their own carbon ‘spend’ both personally and professionally. IMEX America this October has been designed to address those needs head-on as well as providing a high-level, high-value business experience.”