Readers Speak: Getting Customers to Go Green
Gary Tufel -- Tradeshow Week, 4/16/2007
More and more shows and venues are getting into the green swing of things, using a variety of methods to save or recycle the massive amounts of energy and material that go into staging a tradeshow.
Contributing Editor Gary Tufel asks: What are you doing to get aboard the green bandwagon?
"Discarded cardboard is compacted and sent to a company for recycling, as are wooden pallets and paper. In 2006, we recycled 180 bales of cardboard, 1,200 pallets, nine yards of office paper, 36 yards of newsprint, six yards of glass and plastic, 20 yards of scrap steel and 50 shop carts.
"And SMG Catering introduced green-ware. All our disposable plates, napkins and flatware are made of biodegradable and compostable materials."
Ellen Schwartz, Senior director of sales and marketing, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
"We use biodegradable and recyclable table coverings and wastebasket liners, which are corn-based, and replace polyethylene-based materials, so their footprint will disappear. We use sustainable materials, such as bamboo and wheat-based panels. Each has a growth cycle of less than four years, and there are no volatile organic compounds used in their production. Most significant: old aisle carpet, which is now recycled entirely into a new product — drainage pipe — is not discarded.
"We expect the challenges of using some green products to become less of an obstacle as the products become more readily available and supply chains are strengthened."
Joe Pestka, National sales manager, exposition services, Freeman
"For VON, we request recycle bins for paper and bottles and cans throughout the facility; provide salt and pepper shakers and sugar dispensers, not packets; and use china plates and glass cups at meals and receptions, not paper. We monitor food quantity to reduce waste.
"We do not turn escalators on until the beginning of the show, nor turn lights up in the hall until just before the show opens. We encourage exhibitors to print fewer press kits and handouts and shorter press releases.
"We try to select green-oriented venues such as Messe Berlin and Stockholm Intl. Fairs, which have built-in bins for recycling badges."
Melissa Twombly, Exposition operations manager, pulvermedia
"We promote our green capabilities to show managers, encourage recycling in our license agreement and require decorators to recycle by providing bins for shrink wrap, cardboard and paper. We have them dispose of carpeting out of the building and have recycling stations in the lobbies and exhibit halls for attendee use.
"We are green in purchasing products, construction-related requirements, composting food and waste and auditing our operations."
Jeff Blosser, Executive director, Oregon Convention Center
"McCormick Place encourages all show management to participate in its recycling programs. Last June's NPE 2006: The Intl. Plastics Showcase collected and recycled approximately half a million pounds of scrap plastics generated during the show.
"The new McCormick Place West Building is on target to receive LEED certification this June, and will be the largest newly constructed building in the country to get LEED certification. It features a 3,100 foot storm drain tunnel leading directly to Lake Michigan that diverts 55 million gallons of water annually from the building's roof, bypassing Chicago's sewage system."
Jon Kaplan, Director of public relations, Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority
"GreenLife has been a key component of Merchandise Mart's NeoCon World's Trade Fair for several years.
"Additionally, at the Merchandise Mart complex, aggressive sustainability efforts are underway to improve air quality, reduce waste and recycle. For example, in 2006, MMPI recycled 11 million pounds of waste, saving more than 13,000 trees."
Troy Durst, Vice president, tradeshow services, Merchandise Mart Properties
"Our Intl. Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition Demo Expo is beginning to implement greener practices, but doesn't have strict rules per se. Our show facility, the Kentucky Exposition Center, has a recycling program and the ESCO project, which entails assessment of resources and energy efficiency and use of new technologies to reduce electrical consumption.
"I think if the facility is behind the effort you can work together to get buy-in from the other parties. Recycling and turning off the lights are not new concepts, so the learning curve should be minimal."
Nicole Hallada, ICUEE show manager and director of marketing, Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers
"Whether it is recycling or good practices in food and beverage sustainability, the ultimate responsibility is ours. Financial incentives, such as reduced costs for trash hauling if recycling practices are employed, will also motivate our partners."
Greg Smith, Executive director, Anaheim Convention Center
