Towards net zero waste

Over the last two years, RX has taken significant steps to capture waste data in partnership with our venues, cleaners and waste contractors, as part of our journey to achieve net zero by 2040. Whilst this data doesn’t typically include waste associated with exhibitor stands, which contractors are responsible for removing, it does provide us with vital baselines against which we can measure and manage waste reduction.  

Now ISC West, the leading comprehensive and converged security trade show in the US, has embarked on multi-year mission towards zero waste in partnership with MeetGreen, a leading sustainability consultant in the sustainable event space.

Among key initiatives at ISC West 2024, they developed a comprehensive sustainability guide for exhibitors; installed new waste stream receptacles on-site to increase recycling rates; provided recyclable cups and utensils at all retail concession outlets; and invested in hand sorting operations, ensuring refuse was placed in the correct recycling, composting, or landfill stream. The team also launched a food donation program through which almost a metric ton of food materials were donated to local non-profit organizations.

These efforts increased ISC West’s diversion rate by 8%. Only 22 of the 97 metric tons of waste went to landfill, meaning 75 metric tons (or 77%) was recycled and composted.

All eyes are now on ISC East 2024 (19-21 November) in New York where the team will once again be partnering with MeetGreen to stream and sort waste and educate exhibitors and educate attendees on our sustainability program. They are also working closely with the New York Javits Centre catering team to minimise food and beverage waste through ‘total food utilisation’ (using whole ingredients) and using produce from the centre’s greenhouse which is fitted with a hydroponic growing system. Food waste will be composted, and surplus foods donated to local community partners. Water coolers will also be provided throughout the show floor to minimise the use of plastic water bottles.

The value of upcycling

Green Bee Event Upcycling is a French company which works to reduce event waste by promoting and facilitating its recovery and re-use. RX France first partnered with Green Bee in 2022 to minimise the waste produced at MIPIM, the world’s leading real estate event. Today, we work together across our Cannes-based events to identify, reduce and repurpose everything from stand building materials, furniture and signage, to badges, lanyards, carpets cut-outs and food waste.

Green Bee helps our operations teams to identify recoverable and reusable materials in our feature areas and partner spaces; finds entities (such as charities, not for-profits or schools) that are interested in reusing waste materials; and monitors waste sorting on site. They reach out to stand contractors and exhibitors before each event to educate them on waste management and raise awareness of our targets. And they invite attendees to explore the opportunities for waste recycling at fun and innovative workshops on the show floor. For example, at MAPIC 2023, visitors to the new Sustainability Lab were invited to turn event waste into unique and meaningful products, including making wallets from carpet off-cuts.

For each event, RX France receives a waste certificate enabling us to monitor our progress, together with recommendations and actions for improving year on year. For MIPIM 2023, total waste was reduced by 32% compared to 2022, amounting to over 62 tonnes.

Among the many assets upcycled at MIPIM 2023 with the help of Green Bee, three tonnes of wood from our ‘Road to Zero’ zone were given to the Fondation de Nice, to furnish their facilities and fit out social housing projects in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Melamine partitions from our VIP Lounge were donated to the Hack Lab in Sophia Antipolis, an exchange dedicated to scientific collaboration, to furnish a Hack Lab for children. Around 40m² of printed tarpaulin went to the Fondation de Cannes' eco-school project to make 500 upcycled pencil cases for schoolchildren entering the first grade. And 150m² of scrap carpet was donated to the Nice Curling Club association to line the side lanes of the curling rinks, as it makes an ideal non-slip material.

Food for thought

With trade shows attracting many thousands of exhibitors and attendees who all need sustenance over multiple days, food waste is a particular challenge for event organisers.

Part of IBEW (International Built Environment Week) in Singapore, BEX Asia (The Built Environment Expo) is a 16-year-old event with a track record for driving green building innovation, and for leading by example.

With over 1,000 delegates expected across three days, the 2024 IBEW Conference required extensive catering, including lunches, tea breaks, a networking buffet, and a CEO sit-down dinner. Past events had experienced up to 40% food waste, particularly during lunch, as many delegates opted to have private meetings or take a quiet break off site. This prompted the team to find a solution to minimize food waste while ensuring sufficient catering for attendees.

The team began by reviewing data from 2022, comparing food orders to delegate numbers and analysing post-event food waste reports. They also introduced a registration question to understand attendees' lunch plans, helping predict how many would participate in each day's meal. This combination of historical data and real-time insights allowed them to make more accurate predictions about food requirements.

Out of 1,439 registrations for the 2023 conference, 500+ were complimentary passes, and many complimentary attendees typically did not attend all three days. Additionally, 15% of paid delegates indicated they wouldn’t attend lunches. Based on this, and insights into delegate behaviour (such as lower attendance on the final day), the team estimated that catering for 850-950 people would suffice, refining the numbers for each day based on session interest and industry relevance.

In the end, the decision to reduce food orders (800 for Day 1, 740 for Day 2, and 600 for Day 3) proved successful. Attendance at the lunch areas matched predictions closely, allowing the event to minimize waste without sacrificing delegate satisfaction, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining data analysis with event experience.

Engaging customer support

One of the biggest challenges to cutting carbon emissions at long established trade shows is changing exhibitor and contractor behaviour.

As a leading international event for the environmental and energy sector, Pollutec has a responsibility, and a great opportunity, to set a sustainable example to the industry. In 2023, the event team took the bold decision to eliminate carpets from the aisles. Not only  did they save eight tonnes of waste from landfill; they were able to redirect the money saved into a comprehensive waste management and education programme.

Working in partnership with Re’Up (a waste management start-up), PAPREC (an exhibitor and leader in waste management), Axial (a cleaning company), and the venue, the Pollutec team identified local companies who were willing to accept waste materials for reuse; sorted waste directly on the show floor at designated collection sites; installed CCTV at collecting sites to oversee their use; and introduced heavy fines for illegal waste dumping.

For the first time at Pollutec a ‘Contractors’ Village’ was provided, where contractors could meet and feel part of a community. The meeting point, constructed entirely from waste event materials, was set up in the main car park next to the stand contractors’ registration office. Free coffee and afternoon refreshments were provided, and there was a Contractors BBQ in the ‘village’ during build-up - a tradition taken from the construction sector which was very well received. These actions helped to raise awareness of and legitimize the role of Re’Up, while helping the RX operations team to build stronger relations with the contractors.

To further motivate contractors to engage with waste reduction and recycling, and share their actions on their social media channels, the team launched an  ‘EventGreener’ social media challenge (#EventGreener Pollutec 2023). Three winners each received a communication package in which they were promoted as ‘Green Partners’.

All this activity was reinforced by a Waste Management Guide and newsletters to educate and inform contractors about their sustainability actions, and clear signage and QR codes on site to increase visibility and information about waste collection and recycling. 

Even though Pollutec 2023 was 25% bigger than 2021 in terms of gross space (sqm), and 7% bigger than the pre-pandemic event in 2018, the team succeeded in reducing the total amount of waste generated at Pollutec by 9% compared with 2021 and by 49% compared with 2018. Thirty tonnes of materials were reused and 69% of waste in 2023 was upcycled, compared to 34% in 2021. This waste was delivered to local contractors to limit mobility and freight impacts.

Partnering on waste reduction

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) celebrated its 30th annual event in 2023 in Dubai by initiating 30 short, medium and long-term sustainability goals to make ATM more sustainable. In 2024, the event team took the important step of completing their first carbon footprint of the event, with a particular focus on waste reduction. 

Despite setting a new show record with more than 46,000 attendees across four days, the venue reported that ATM 2024, increased their waste diversion rate away from landfill from 5% in 2023 to almost half (48%) in 2024. Although overall waste increased by 14% there was a 38% reduction in landfill waste and waste carbon emissions reduced by 13%. For the 2025 edition, the team will work with the venue and exhibitors to focus on overall waste reduction whilst increasing their recycled rates.

Working closely with the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM pursued a wide range of initiatives to reduce and recycle waste. Staff training was provided on all aspects of waste management inside the halls, including the use of colour coded skips to separate general, recyclable and hazardous waste; and Sustainability Champions were appointed to implement and monitor waste segregation and management during the event.

Food waste was minimised through composting and donations of excess food to local community programmes. Dedicated food waste bins were provided at all catering areas. And customers also enjoyed a 50% discount on food at selected outlets from 6-8pm, to minimise left over foods at the end of each day.

Dubai World Trade Centre and ATM also partnered with Sparklo, a global cleantech company which promotes recycling through innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs). Installed through the venue, the RVMs encourage bottle returns by rewarding users with incentives that can be used for future purchases. 2,200+ bottles and cans were collected during ATM 2024, averting 300kg of CO2 emissions. 

Driving industry action

As one of the world’s leading event organisers, RX is committed to using our trade show platforms to address some of the world’s most complex challenges – including waste management.

Waste Expo Australia is the country’s biggest event for waste management and resource recovery, held every October in Melbourne. At the 2024 event (23-24 October), over 3,000 professionals from across the industry spectrum are expected to attend to explore innovative material usage, enhance recovery processes, and minimise landfill waste. Alongside the sold-out expo, 100+ conference speakers will cover key topics like the circular economy, government policies, waste-to-energy solutions, and managing commercial, industrial, and construction waste.

A new feature this year is the Government Lounge on the exhibition floor, a space where attendees can connect with government agencies like Sustainability Victoria, Recycling Victoria, and EPA Victoria, and discuss the future of waste management in the state.

The Waste Expo team is leading by example, using eco-friendly initiatives to reduce the event’s own carbon footprint. These include sustainable booth design, paperless registration, eco-friendly lanyards, waste separation and recycling, and less carpeting throughout the venue.

Also new for 2024 is the Zero Waste Café, created in partnership with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Everything at the café is reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable. They’ve swapped single-use coffee cups for sustainable options and offer discounts to people with reusable cups. All food is served with crockery and cutlery, there’s no packaged food or snacks, and waste sorting bins are provided to enable recycling.

Waste Expo Australia is co-located with All-Energy Australia, forming the country's premier events on renewable energy, energy management, waste management, resource recovery and sustainability.

On 6 November, the COP27 Climate Change Conference gets underway in Sharm El-Sheikh. As a founding signatory to the UFI Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, RX is committed to helping the events industry achieve Net Zero by 2050. Collaboration between organisers, venues and contractors is key to making our Net Zero goals a reality. We reveal how RX is partnering with ExCel London, New York’s Javits Center, Messe Wien, Freeman and STANDout, amongst many others, to drive the sustainable change we all need to see.

RX events bring entire industries together to inspire, learn and share. Around the world our shows are helping customers to navigate sustainability challenges, inspire transformation and accelerate their journeys to Net Zero.  At the same time, we are on our own journey to reduce the environmental footprint of our events by reducing our carbon emissions.

As a founding member of the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge RX is committed to being Net Zero by 2050, and to making a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In fact, we have pledged to become Net Zero by 2040, 10 years ahead of schedule, in line with our parent group RELX. Given the complex nature of the emissions associated with our trade and consumer events, it is only by working in partnership with our industry that we will be able to reduce our impact.

RX reports on our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions through our parent company in the RELX Annual Corporate Responsibility Report.

Earlier this year RELX launched the RELX CO² Hub, a cloud-based dashboard that connects data from multiple internal and external sources to allow us to internally measure, analyse and visualise our CO₂ emissions, much of it in real time. This currently includes scope 1 (direct emissions from boilers and vehicles); scope 2 (indirect emissions from electricity or purchased energy in our own operations); and some scope 3 (emissions in our value chain including business travel, homeworking, commuting).  

To meet our net zero pledge commitments, our challenge now is to measure and reduce our wider and more complicated scope 3 emissions – those related to all aspects of our events, such as emissions from venue energy and production and waste from stands, signage and carpets.

ExCeL London, UK

A fellow signatory to the UFI Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, ExCeL London is one of the UK’s leading international exhibition and convention centres hosting over 400 events a year, including two of RX’s largest events, World Travel Market and MCM Comic Con.

Certified PAS2060 carbon neutral in 2022, ExCeL uses 100% renewable electricity, sends zero waste to landfill (and recycles 71% of it), and houses the UK’s largest wormery which recycles food waste from ExCeL’s kitchens, generating fertiliser for green spaces around the venue.

ExCeL already provides RX with metrics on electricity, gas and waste, and in 2022 Jen and her team are looking to obtain water consumption data too. RX is also working with ExCeL on offering exhibitors sustainable options for signage, food services and more when they make their bookings and incentivising them to have important waste management conversations early in the planning process.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is when exhibitors and contractors have been doing an event for a number of years it can become a ‘tick and repeat’ exercise” explained Jen. “Partnering with ExCeL to raise awareness of greener alternatives will enable us to engage more customers on the sustainability journey.”

“Collaborating with the Sustainability Team at RX is pivotal in understanding where and how we can support each other in achieving our ambitions” agreed ExCeL’s Sustainability Manager, Natalie Sykes.

In 2019, to reduce the amount of waste produced at the venue, ExCeL introduced pre-booking of bins and skips by exhibitors via their webshop and charges for waste disposal, resulting in a 42% reduction in waste volumes. “To go even further, we have organised a collaboration meeting with RX and our waste management provider to discuss future initiatives,” said Natalie.

New York’s Javits Center, US

Among RX’s biggest venue partners in the US is the New York’s Javits Center which has emerged as one of the leading examples of sustainability in the events industry. Located on the banks of the Hudson River, the venue features a 6.75 acre green roof that serves as a habitat for more than 35 species of birds, as well as bats and honeybees. It also boasts a rooftop farm, innovative waste management strategies which benefit the local community, and Manhattan’s largest rooftop solar farm.

“At the Javits Center, we’re striving to be a better neighbor to all New Yorkers and our journey toward sustainability grew out of that ideal” revealed Jacqueline Tran, Director of Energy and Sustainability. “As a convention center on Manhattan’s West Side, our primary mission is to support the Empire State economy, but our sustainability program has enabled us to improve the quality of life in the community around us. From creating a wildlife sanctuary to installing a one-acre rooftop farm, our goal is to prove the power of sustainability and inspire others to follow our lead.”

“The Javits Center is leading the charge on Net Zero among venues in the USA” said Mike Grant, Senior VP for RX’s Operations Group in the US. “Their recently completed expansion enabled them to build sustainability into the concept and has become a gold standard. As the home to New York Comic Con, ISC East and Vision Expo, among other RX events, this gives us exciting opportunities to work together, particularly on reducing our energy and water consumption and recycling the waste generated by our events.”

Since 2018, leftover materials from RX events, such as furniture and household items have been diverted to local non-profit organisations, as part of the JavitsCares programme, and in 2019 the initiative was expanded to include food rescue to support local organisations fighting food insecurity.

“Repurposing event materials and giving them a second life at a local school or house of worship exemplifies the impact of the event industry beyond the confines of a particular event and reinforces the importance of our operations on the local level” explained Jacqueline. “We also are providing RX with metrics including utility, waste, and donations data for all their events to help them establish a baseline to determine their goals for each subsequent event and make improvements over time.”

Freeman, global event solutions

As a world-leading event supplier at the sharp end of waste production and management, Freeman is committed to creating a less wasteful and more sustainable industry. The company was the first general services contractor to earn both the ISO 14001 and ISO 20121 certifications, which help to guide and measure its actions and approach to sustainability and, with RX, was also one of the first to sign the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge.

“Sustainability comes standard at Freeman as it’s built into our service offerings at every show” explained Marisa Heller, Sustainability Manager. The company offers a suite of sustainable products, from graphics to flooring options; conducts a daily labour briefing that includes sustainable event goals and plans for recycling and donations; and has an Engine Idling Policy at all locations.

Freeman is the contractor for many of RX’s market-leading US events. Earlier this year the companies worked together to reduce CO2 emissions at the National Hardware Show by eliminating carpet from most of the event. “By restricting carpet to the two main aisles and lounge areas only, we prevented 18,656 metres of carpet going to landfill, which reduced our carbon emissions by 8.5 tonnes,” said Event Director, Beth Casson. “To help educate our customers on the benefits of being carpet-free, Freeman supplied us with large floor stickers in place of the carpets to communicate our energy saving data. Thanks to Freeman, we were also able to ensure that the main aisle and lounge carpets contained 25% recycled materials and would be re-used at least four times.”

In June 2022, RX and Freeman undertook a pilot project at JCK Las Vegas, with the support of The Venetian, to capture data and measure the total impact of the event. “Freeman have been very forward-thinking on how they measure their own direct impacts, and those of their suppliers, and we are working with them to incorporate our own impacts, and those of our venues, into each report” explained RX’s Mike Grant. “Our goal is to provide a model that we can take to other venues and suppliers to secure their collaboration going forward.”

Reflecting on the transformation of RX’s venue and contractor partnerships in the wake of the Net Zero Pledge, RX Sustainability Director Helen Sheppard concluded: “The UFI Net Zero pledge has supercharged industry collaboration, giving us a focus for discussing what we need to achieve, and a roadmap to help define how we get there. Previously, everyone was valiantly trying to do their own thing. But unless your sustainability goals are aligned you are never going to reach the desired outcome. We are excited about the future for sustainable events and committed to making them a reality.”

World Smart Energy Week Japan

The liberalisation of Japan’s energy market in 2016, combined with its Green Growth Strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, is creating fertile ground for companies seeking to invest in, develop, or source renewable energy solutions in Japan – as reflected in the growth of World Smart Energy Week.

Now in its nineteenth year, World Smart Energy Week has expanded from the world’s first (and still largest) event dedicated to hydrogen and fuel cell technology to the leading international event for smart energy tech and carbon neutral solutions.

World Smart Energy Week is held three times a year Tokyo (March and September) and Osaka (November). The latest Tokyo edition comprised seven exhibitions and world-class conference sessions filling up Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s largest exhibition centre. They showcased the latest advances in hydrogen and fuel cells, solar power, rechargeable batteries, smart grids, wind power, biomass, and zero-emission thermal power generation.

Running alongside the Tokyo event was the first edition of Circular Economy Expo, launched to  showcase technology which supports the sustainable reuse and regeneration of materials and products; and the second Decarbonisation Expo dedicated to solutions such as zero carbon consulting, visualization of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions, corporate PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements), energy saving and more.

Final attendance data is awaiting verification, but more than 1,200 exhibiting companies and over 50,000 visitors from around the world were expected to attend the concurrent exhibitions, taking part in active business meetings, technical consultations, and the 200+ conference sessions. Keynote speakers included Brent Wanner, Head of the Power Sector Unit, World Energy Outlook for the International Energy Agency; Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Government of the Netherlands; and Kazuyuki Iwata, Executive Chief Engineer at Honda R&D.

All Energy Australia

All-Energy Australia is the largest and most anticipated event in the country’s clean energy sector's annual calendar. Held in partnership with the Clean Energy Council, the free-to-attend event provides attendees with exclusive access to the latest technology, information and trends relevant to those working or investing in the renewables sector. 

The goal for Australia to become powered by renewables by 2030 is an ambitious one which will require industry, government and stakeholders, the research community and consumers to all work together. 

A recent piece of research conducted by Infrastructure Australia estimates that the renewable energy transition will need up to 30,000 workers in the coming years to build enough solar farms, wind farms, batteries, transmission lines and pumped hydro storage to transform the country’s energy system.  Additionally, it is estimated that Australia will invest around A$66 billion in large-scale renewables and A$27 billion in rooftop solar and battery storage over the next 15-20 years, making it a huge market opportunity for solutions providers. 

All-Energy Australia 2023 takes place from 25^th-26^th October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) at a critical time for the country’s energy transition.  The event will feature more than 350 suppliers, 250 plus expert speakers and attract more than 10,500 industry professionals for two days of knowledge sharing, product demos, and business meetings.

With billions of dollars predicted to be invested in rooftop solar and battery storage, All-Energy Australia in conjunction with the Clean Energy Council will be holding the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Masterclass ‒ a one-stop shop for solar designers and installers to get expert advice on the major design and installation issues currently facing the industry. Attendance is free and CPD points will be available to eligible installers who scan into each session.

The event will also be hosting the all-new Energy Management Zone, completely focused on sustainable solutions that facilitate improved energy management and increased cost savings. Session topics will include agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, metals and other materials manufacturing, residential buildings, commercial buildings and government operations. 

All-Energy Australia will be co-located with Waste Expo Australia, forming the most significant national showcase of clean energy and sustainability.

Climate top of the conference agenda

The opening session of the ATM conference saw policymakers take to the ATM Global Stage for a ministerial debate on how travel can tackle the climate crisis. The discussion was moderated by Eleni Giokos, CNN Anchor and Correspondent, and the prestigious line-up of speakers included HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; HE Walid Nassar, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon; and Sukit Mohanty, Chief of the UNDRR for Arab States.

Jordan is one of the highest-ranking countries in the region on The Euromonitor Environmental Sustainability Index and responsible tourism is now a key focus for the nation. “Educating both businesses and travellers on how they contribute to the carbon footprint is one of our key priorities. In parallel with education, we are offering incentives to hotels, businesses, and other stakeholders to encourage sustainable practices,” said Dr Arabiyat.

Other conference highlights included Technology: The Enabler of Sustainable Travel, Sustainability in the Travel Industry: Who Pays? and Green Technology for Responsible Tourism during which experts shared insights into the role of innovation in helping to minimise carbon emissions, water consumption and waste across the sector. In addition, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance addressed the importance of protecting the locations, livelihoods and communities in which hotels are located as part of the Achieving Net Positive Hospitality session.

Sustainable Hub and Startup competition  

ATM 2023 featured a Sustainability Hub for the first time in the show’s history. The Hub offered a venue for dynamic sessions and interactive workshops on the latest sustainable travel trends and innovations. It also provided the backdrop for the ATM 2023 Start-up Competition – an event hosted by conference partner Plug and Play, which saw entrepreneurs go head-to-head in a ‘Sustainable Tech Pitch Battle’.

Six innovative start-ups battled it out before a panel of expert judges as they pitched their solutions to create travel sustainability and aid the industry’s recovery. Sustainable commercial food waste solutions company, Winnow, beat off stiff competition from CarbonClick, Eilago, Hotelverse, OACIS Middle East Limited LLC and Thrust Carbon to be crowned this year’s winner.

Winnow’s analytics platform makes collecting data easy, pinpoints waste and drives operational improvements that can cut food waste in half. As well as generating significant publicity for their technology the company won a complimentary 12m sq. shell scheme stand at ATM 2024 and automatic acceptance into Plug & Play’s Startup Accelerator cohort.

Encouraging participants to ‘think green’

To support and encourage exhibitor sustainability at ATM 2023 the team implemented an ‘Exhibitor Environmental Checklist’ and introduced a brand-new ‘Sustainable Stand Award’ as part of their commitment to ensuring the upcoming show is the most climate-conscious in its history.

Created with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in mind, the Exhibitor Checklist featured practical advice for participants on how to manage waste, minimise their energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions, as well as guidance on how to create greener promotional materials and exhibition stands.

The Sustainable Stand Award, won by Hilton, was launched to recognise and celebrate those exhibitors who have already taken steps to reduce their environmental impact and support the UAE’s net zero commitment. Entries were judged based on an extensive range of sustainable criteria, including supplier choice, material usage, operational efficiency, and what happens to the stand once the show has concluded.

Hilton was praised by the exhibition’s independent panel of judges for its decision to engage a local supplier in the creation of its stand, as well as its commitment to repurposing as many materials as possible over the coming three years. To support its ecologically responsible approach to its stand design, Hilton is measuring its environmental footprint with a carbon calculator and took steps to mitigate the impact of its catering activities throughout the show, in line with the company’s long-term sustainability goals.

In addition to Hilton, the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards judges commended a number of other exhibitors for their sustainable efforts, including The Royal Commission of AlUla for paying close attention to the sustainable materials used in its stand’s design, and Switzerland Tourism for its ‘sustainability wall’ and reusable modular system.

Reflecting on the positive response to the initiatives, Danielle Curtis said: “We are confident that by engaging stakeholders with tools and initiatives such as our Exhibitor Environmental Checklist and Most Sustainable Stand category, ATM 2023 will not only set a new benchmark for sustainability within the Middle East’s exhibitions space but also help drive climate-conscious decision-making across the region’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry.”

30 steps to a zero carbon ATM

ATM is organised by RX, which has pledged to become net zero by 2040 in line with parent group RELX. To mark 30 years of ATM, whilst also looking to the future, the team announced 30 short- and long-term sustainability goals, which will not only support RX’s corporate pledge, but also assist ATM’s own journey to becoming a net zero event.

For 2023, these included the removal of printed show guides, the use of recycled paper for show dailies and the ATM Yearbook, a paperless media centre, use of sustainable badges and lanyards, and taking steps to eliminate single use plastic across the entire venue in collaboration with Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Other waste reduction initiatives undertaken in collaboration with DWTC included a partnership with UAE Food Bank to donate surplus food to people in need, with 680kg of food donated. Food which could not be donated was collected and composted. Segregated bins enabled the sorting and recycling of waste during build-up and break-down; and a new waste solution system called Ompeco was trialled which converts exhibitor waste into fluff that can be re-used in concrete and construction. ATM is working with DWTC to measure how much waste was produced at the 2023 event to set a benchmark for year on year reduction, even as the show grows.

ATM also became the first event to introduce RX’s new Colleqt Smart Badges, which eliminated the need for business cards and printed sales materials. By scanning the QR codes provided, attendees could quickly share their details with an exhibitor to get the information they required delivered straight to their smart phone.  Visitors were also prompted on entry to scan a QR code to access the interactive floorplan, enabling them to navigate the show floor following the removal of the printed show guide.  

“As well as providing thought leadership on sustainability across all sectors of travel our tourism, and encouraging our exhibitors to ‘think green,’ we are working closely with our partners, suppliers & advisors to find ways to establish practices that will make ATM a more sustainable show” explained Danielle. “Our long-term goals for ATM will include not just education and encouragement to reduce waste and carbon emissions but a requirement to do so. Only by working together in this way can we make a positive impact on the environment in the future.”