The IMEX Group has tracked and published the environmental performance of its American show, IMEX America, since 2012 but today’s report represents a significant achievement for its German counterpart.
The report for IMEX Frankfurt 2022 has been prepared by sustainability partners MeetGreen, an organisation devoted to accelerating the event industry’s transition to a sustainable future. It marks an extension of an existing partnership as well as the first step in an ongoing process of data-gathering intended to measure and improve the show’s environmental impact. The report is also an important milestone in IMEX’s Pathway to Net Zero.
An important sustainability step for IMEX
In working with an external authority to validate results, this report represents an important sustainability step for IMEX and establishes the benchmark against which all future IMEX Frankfurt shows will be measured. Previous environmental reports for IMEX Frankfurt have been conducted by IMEX staff only.
The new report covers aspects such as waste management, energy and water usage, event design and also social impact.
IMEX Frankfurt is currently the only show at Messe Frankfurt to track such a high level of sustainable data and to make it public. The report reveals notable achievements in waste diversion and energy use, as well as highlighting several opportunities for improvement. These include simplifying and standardising carbon footprint measurement, sourcing more carpets with recycled content and expanding community donations.
Renewable energy influence
As well as benchmarking the show year on year, the report is designed to share the IMEX team’s learnings with the rest of the global business events industry and – ultimately – deliver long-term change. A prime example of a long-term shift is the show’s energy use. Since 2012, IMEX has worked closely with host venue Messe Frankfurt to achieve 100% renewable electricity use. As a result, Messe Frankfurt has now adopted 100% renewable sourcing as a standard operating procedure across all its events.
IMEX Frankfurt 2022 sustainability report highlights:
• 99.5% of all waste diverted
• 100% of venue electricity powered by renewable energy
• 87% of show waste diverted to recycling, organics or donation channels
• 95% of event service ware was recyclable or re-usable
• 635kg of event material was recovered and donated to the Frankfurt community which at the time also included 800 Ukrainian refugees who were being given sanctuary at Messe Frankfurt
• IMEX Frankfurt has achieved MeetGreen’s highest standard of sustainability scoring – Visionary level
It takes a team
Sustainability success is always a collaborative effort and IMEX Frankfurt is no exception. The IMEX team is led by its internal ‘green squad’ – a staff team who works closely with the host venue and Frankfurt city along with key suppliers and, of course, attendees. Visitors and exhibitors at this year’s IMEX Frankfurt can play their part once more by signing up for the People and Planet Pledge. Exhibitors are also encouraged to use the IMEX Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place from 23 to 25 May 2023. To register – for free – click here.
