Tradeshows Get Greener and Greener

Every week, it seems, two or three more tradeshow managers jump on the green bandwagon. One more show will launch late next year in Los Angeles, and an established show management firm will add green components to several of its existing shows.

The GreenXchange Xpo aims to bring leaders in sustainability together with buyers Oct. 1–3, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A pre-show planning meeting is scheduled Dec. 10–11 in Los Angeles with select leaders in the industries to ensure the show will have all the cutting-edge elements.

Robert Hertzberg, co-chairman of G24 Innovations, one of the show's sponsors, said, "I predict that GreenXchange Expo will become to those in green tech what Davos (Switzerland) is to economic world leaders and Sundance is to entertainment industry leaders."

He isn't the only one with such lofty ambitions.

"That's our aspiration, that's our goal," said David Abel, managing partner of environmental think tank and publisher VerdeXchange, which is partnering with IDG World Expo to produce the show.

The show is geared toward entrepreneurs, policy makers, planners, scientists, the media, investors and conservationists.

Abel said whether to allow consumers to attend some or all of the show has not yet been decided.

"The thrust of the expo is business-to-business," he added.

Besides G24 Innovations, sponsors already lined up include Google, AT&T, the Intl. Longshore and Warehouse Union, Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power and architectural and engineering firm DMJM AECOM.

Canon Communications is also turning a little greener.

The company will collocate Green Manufacturing, an exhibition of sustainable practices for U.S. manufacturers, with its four principal design and manufacturing events:

• Pacific Design & Manufacturing at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center Jan. 29–31
• the collocation of Design & Manufacturing South, AM Expo (Advanced Manufacturing), ATX South (Automation Technology), SouthPack, Plastec South and Powder & Bulk Solids Expo South at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center March 19–20
• the collocation of Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, ATX East, EastPack, Plastec East and Medical Design & Manufacturing East at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York held this year June 12–14
• the collocation of Natl. Manufacturing Week, Plastec Midwest, Quality Expo, Assembly Technology Expo and Electronics Assembly Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center at Rosemont scheduled this year Sept. 25–27

Green Manufacturing exhibitors will include design software providers, materials suppliers, alternative energy systems manufacturers, energy management software providers, emission treatment equipment providers and wastewater treatment systems producers.

"The economic benefit of going green is very tangible in terms of reducing energy costs, improving recycling and treatment methods, getting ahead of the regulatory curve and building customer goodwill," said Kevin O'Keefe, vice president of events at Canon. "Simply put, selling green works."