From waste reduction to educational sessions, a slew of sustainable initiatives are coming to IMEX America 2015. This year’s conference, which takes place October 13-15 in Las Vegas, implements results from the MeetGreen Sustainability Report. Last year, IMEX America reduced total waste by 31 percent, food waste by 56 percent and increased use of locally sourced foods by more than 150 percent compared to the previous year.
As one of the largest annual trade shows for international meetings, incentive travel and events, IMEX America 2015 aims to raise the bar for sustainable meetings. CEO of IMEX Group Carina Bauer states, “IMEX America is committed to encouraging the meetings and incentive travel industry to address sustainability issues and to tackle these issues in a proactive, practical way. The intention is to raise the green bar across the board and strengthen our sustainability efforts.”
Attendees can expect to see the following green displays at IMEX America 2015:
-Inspiration Hub will offer various sessions exploring different sustainability measures. Educational seminars will include: “Guiding You to (and Through) Greener Events” with Aaron Elliott and Nancy Zavada, both of Meet Green, and “Planning for a Revolution: the Rise of People, Planet and Profit. Are You Losing Out by Ignoring CSR?” by Lizzy Paulson, events director at Time Warner Cable.
-Shade Tree is a new program supporting homeless and abused women and children. The display at IMEX America 2015 will feature recycling initiatives, a healing garden and a song division that works with children living in shelters to write and produce music.
-Green Team invites all buyers and exhibitors to complete tasks that reduce waste and increase corporate social responsibility awareness. Those who participate will be given a green ribbon to wear during the event.
-Recycled badges will benefit local charity, the Shade Tree and Opportunity Village, which provides vocational training, employment and arts-based programs for Nevada citizens with mental disabilities. Donations will be made for every badge recycled.
-Clean the World will provide a hands-on experience of building hygiene kits from recycled toiletries gathered at participating hotels. The kits will be donated to Shade Tree Shelter.
