IMEX Raises the Sustainability Bar With Stellar 2021 Report and Big Plans for 2022 Show in October
September 2, 2022
IMEX Group has long been a leader in sustainable event initiatives, and the findings in the recently released IMEX America 2021 Sustainable Event Report are proving that its efforts are substantially paying off. With the impressive results from the 2021 show, in addition to the recent stark reminders of the increasing impact of climate change—record-high temperatures, wildfires and flooding—IMEX America 2022 is set to shine an even stronger light on the importance of green events.
“At IMEX, we’ve always set our sustainability sights high,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group. “For everything we do, we look at ways we could do it more sustainably and more regeneratively, which can only be achieved by robust measurement.”
To that end, IMEX has partnered with MeetGreen since the launch of IMEX America to evaluate its sustainability efforts and challenge itself to do better each year.
Each year, IMEX America is improved by the findings and recommendations of Meet Green’s independently verified annual sustainability impact report. The report reflects the show’s energy use, food and beverage statistics, materials consumption and reuse, community impact and more. The report also benchmarks each edition of IMEX America against industry best practices such as the Event Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards.
Following are some of the many achievements detailed in the IMEX America 2021 Sustainable Event Report:
• The show achieved its highest landfill diversion rate to date of 95%. This, along with recycling, composting and donation efforts, meant the show met the industry threshold for a zero-waste event.
• 100% of carbon emissions from host venue Mandalay Bay Convention Center were offset.
• Water-wise, carbon emissions menu coding and expanded plant-based options helped reduce carbon impact and water usage.
• Efficiencies gained in carpet management meant only 1% of carpet was sent to landfill. The rest was either returned to inventory or recycled.
• The IMEX team experimented with new materials in some areas of the show, such as Neenah conVerd paperboard and 100% polypropylene carpets.
The IMEX America 2021 green event achievements have been recognized by the industry, with IMEX recently winning MeetGreen’s Visionary award for sustainability. The award recognizes organizations that “lead within their own industry, prioritize measurement, work to move the sustainability dial, research and develop new initiatives to improve environmental performance and use their buying power to drive change with venues and vendors.”
“Our show is designed to recognize and champion all areas of sustainability,” Bauer said. “We know that event professionals are keen to learn more about how they can implement planet-friendly practices into their own events, and they’re also mindful of their own carbon ‘spend’ both personally and professionally.”
IMEX America 2022, set to take place Oct. 10-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, has been designed to address those needs head-on as well as provide a high-level, high-value business experience, according to Bauer.
In addition to the wealth of “behind-the-scenes” planet-friendly efforts, this year’s show will champion sustainability, as well as diversity and social impact, throughout its educational programming and across the show floor, with the IMEX-EIC People and Planet Village being a focal point.
The village, which returns following its launch at IMEX America last year, will feature a shared campfire education area dedicated to sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as the chance to take part in activities that support the local Las Vegas community.
The IMEX America 2021 Sustainable Event Report is free to download and available here.
More information on how the IMEX Group approaches sustainability can be found here.
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Partner Voices
Every day, MGM Resorts hosts organizations and individuals from around the world with a diverse array of business purposes, needs and expectations. But they all have one thing in common—a host committed to making their meetings sustainable and unforgettable through close partnership and responsible meeting practices.
Harnessing the Sun
Meetings at MGM Resorts are predominantly powered by the sun, thanks to its innovative 100-megawatt solar array. As the largest directly sourced renewable electricity project in the hospitality industry, the solar array features 323,000 panels and produces up to 100% of MGM Resorts’ daytime power needs in Las Vegas.* Built in 2021, the solar array reduces the carbon footprint of meetings—and all of MGM Resorts—while still delivering an enlightening and electrifying guest experience.
Leading Water Stewardship
Knowing water is essential to operations, guests and employees, MGM Resorts has long employed various conservation measures and has doubled down on its commitment in recent years to become a leading corporate water steward. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate, a United National Global Compact, becoming the first gaming company to endorse the initiative. The company replaced more than 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas and pledged to reduce water use by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. Between 2007 and 2022, MGM Resorts saved more than 6 billion gallons of water through water conservation.
Fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
MGM Resorts serves a world of diverse people, perspectives and experiences by cultivating a workforce culture that embraces all of humanity. From mindful recruitment and hiring practices to meaningful social responsibility initiatives, MGM Resorts is a welcoming and inclusive space for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members and more. The company’s commitment to supplier diversity drives innovation by extending competitive opportunities to local and diverse-owned suppliers, while the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program provides diverse-owned businesses tools and resources to enhance and grow their businesses.
Paying it Forward
MGM Resorts knows that great companies must serve the greater good. That’s why paying it forward is part of its approach to meetings and events. Through the Feeding Forward Program, MGM Resorts collects and preserves unserved and untouched food from conventions held at its properties, then safely donates to food-insecure people through a partnership with Three Square, Southern Nevada’s primary food bank. Since 2016, MGM Resorts has donated more than 3.7 million meals, with a goal of 5 million meal donations by 2025. Donations include unserved perishable prepared foods from events, perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens and nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses.
From world-class venues and experiences to industry leading responsible meeting practices, MGM Resorts is proud to host meaningful and sustainable events.
*Not including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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