About Us

Environmental IMEX                             

 

 

 

 

 

IMEX, in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), is committed to educating the industry on the best environmental and CSR (corporate social responsibility) practices available and to doing all we can to “green” our exhibition..

"IMEX's green initiatives mark it as a kind of environmental conscience for the industry"

Hanna Grey

THA Group, UK

The IMEX Corporate Responsibility Project has been developed to give both exhibitors and visitors an opportunity to increase their awareness and knowledge of environmental and social responsibility within the meetings industry.

IMEX runs the only Green Awards for the meetings industry.

The IMEX 2010 Challenge is a new initiative designed to give meetings industry professionals the chance to work side by side in a physical challenge that will benefit a host community.

IMEX launched the Green Team to help reduce waste production and increase the use of sustainable energy at the exhibition.
 

Environmental Initiatives at IMEX

Each year IMEX introduces new green initiatives to strengthen its green credentials. To date initiatives include:

  • The badge lanyards are supplied by if Solutions and are made from plant silk, an organic material manufactured from the waste stems of grain crops. The fabric is biodegradable and sustainable.
  • The use of hydroelectricity for all power during the exhibition including build-up and breakdown. IMEX was the first trade show in the meetings industry to offer green energy - hydroelectric power - to its exhibitors.
  • Recycled and recyclable paper badges coated in corn-starch laminate.
  • Recycled and recyclable luggage tags coated in corn-starch laminate.
  • An anti-idling policy for IMEX buses.
  • The use of bio-diesel buses for 20% of the hosted buyer transfers.
  • Reusable recyclable polypropylene visitor bags and jute bags for Association Day.
  • Encouraging hosted buyers to travel by train where possible.
  • The IMEX Green Awards – including the Green Supplier Award – presented at the IMEX Gala Dinner.
  • 87.01% of waste at IMEX is recycled. Waste was reduced by 30 tonnes in 2010 compared to 2009. Even more waste is expected to be saved in 2011. Follow this link for more information on IMEX recycling
  • 95% polypropylene carpets are used in the exhibition hall. Polypropylene is a derivative of oil and is recyclable. The IMEX carpets are recycled following the show and made into either carpet again or other polypropylene products.
  • All coffee and tea provided in seminar rooms is fair trade and sugar is provided in bowls instead of in individual packaging.

Visitors, exhibitors and hosted buyers can contribute to making IMEX even more environmentally friendly by:

  • Using the Frankfurt walking map published in the IMEX Show Guide and Floorplan.
  • Visiting the Corporate Responsibility Centre to pick up advice on how to make meetings and events greener.
  • Using the recycling bins placed throughout the hall.
  • Carbon offsetting their flights to Frankfurt.
  • Posting their brochures back to the office rather than throwing them away.
  • Joining the IMEX Green Team

Environmental Aims

 

  • To educate the industry on responsible travel through our partners
  • To reduce paper consumption in the office and on site during the exhibition
  • To use recyclable, recycled or sustainable source paper, whenever possible when producing IMEX materials
  • To recycle materials produced by IMEX, where ever possible
  • Ensure venue food and beverage providers use china and washable cutlery where ever possible
  • To arrange collection of flowers to be given to homes and hospitals in Frankfurt
  • Using energy efficient exhibition halls
  • Ensuring the halls can be reached by public transport
  • Using halls that have a recycling policy
  • Promoting awards that both enhance and encourage better practice in the industry: Green Meetings Award, Green Exhibitor Award and the Commitment to the Community Award.

Top Tips for the Meetings Industry

Tips for Green Exhibiting

IMEX's Green Suppliers

Here are some of the green suppliers IMEX works with:

Environmental Partners

IMEX works very closely with the following organisations to ensure that the meetings industry is kept up to date with environmental practices - Green Meeting Industry Council, Green Global Village, Give Instead of Take, Louise Hall Reider and Co, Positive Impact and the Wuppertal Institute.

Environmental Research

IMEX carries out regular research on green issues in the meetings industry. View the latest research on the Global Data Exchange.

The IMEX Corporate Responsibility Centre

Corporate Responsibility Centre

Corporate Responsibility Project Key Projects and Partners

Green Meeting Industry Council

Green Meetings Portal

Give Instead of Take

Louise Hall Reider & Co

Positive Impact

The Koru Foundation

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