Mega-shows Big Green Monsters

Any tradeshow that is truly listening to its customers – and on a larger scale, paying attention to the overall marketplace – cannot dispute the undeniable fact there is a movement toward going green. But then there’s reality – especially for some of the mega-shows regularly in the top 10 of the Tradeshow Week 200.

Many of the show managers said, of course, they wanted to be more environmentally friendly but, at the same time, admitted it wasn’t as simple as snapping their fingers and making it magically happen. And officials with at least one tradeshow holding two spots on the TSW 200 – The WSA Show – said they weren’t “the right fit” for this story at all.

Here’s what (some) of the biggest of the big shows are doing to be more eco-friendly.

Show manager: Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers

Held in: Las Vegas Convention Center

2008 show stats: 2.28 million sq. ft.; 2,182 exhibitors; 144,600 attendees

What they’re doing: At the 2008 show, 31 tons of excess publications were recycled by Greener Vegas, and 212 tons of waste were recycled by Republic Trash Removal Services; 10 percent of CONEXPO’s educational sessions focused on green issues; 25 percent of IFPE’s (a collocated event) Innovation and Solutions Center content also focused on environmental issues; and one of the largest exhibits at this year’s show was 70-percent recyclable as far as its furnishings, steel structure and wood.

Why: “Green initiatives are on everyone’s agendas,” said Megan Tanel, vice president of expositions for the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers. “We feel very good about the direction this is going.”

Show manager: Consumer Electronics Assn.

Held in: Las Vegas Convention Center

2007 show stats: 1,804,070 net sq. ft.; 2,925 exhibiting companies; 85,991 attendees

What they’re doing: At the 2008 show, CEA formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org to reduce the carbon footprint of the show, offsetting approximately 20,000 tons of carbon; encouraged attendees to offset their travel to the event through the show’s Web site and on-site kiosks; debuted the TechZone dedicated to environmentally and economically sustainable technologies; produced a “Greening CES” TV segment broadcast in all attendee hotel rooms; and offered recycling for attendees at the show, as well as used biodegradable food containers and donated surplus food to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.

Why: “Greening at CES really goes back to what CEA has done to promote electronics recycling in this industry,” said Tara Dunion, CEA’s director of communications. “For 2009, we’re collecting feedback (from this year’s show) on how to ... move forward and make people more aware.”

Show manager: Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute

Held in: McCormick Place, Chicago

2006 show stats: 1,254,624 net sq. ft.; 2,302 exhibiting companies; 45,741 attendees

What they’re doing: No longer printing the 300- to 400- page directory; talking to Carbonfund.org about reducing the show’s carbon footprint; worked with McCormick Place to make sure propane forklifts could be used, instead of gas-powered; registration is almost 100-percent online; looking into recycled carpeting; PMMI has a Sustainability Consult Center on-site; and a 2008 conference called “Change, Innovation and Sustainability.”

Why: “In packaging, sustainability is the buzz word right now,” said Matt Croson, PMMI’s vice president of member services and communications. “In this emerging trend, expect to see the entire industry responding to sustainability.”

Show manager: AMT – The Assn. for Equipment Manufacturing

Held in: McCormick Place, Chicago

2006 show stats: 1,164,530 net sq. ft; 1,781 exhibiting companies; 91,965 attendees (includes exhibit personnel)

What they’re doing: In 2006, started replacing paper exhibitor kits with CDs; in 2007, moved into the McCormick West building, which is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council; the 2008 show also is introducing a memory stick that contains the exhibitor kit at this year’s show; the show will have an environmental pavilion that features green products; and will have an area called the Innovation Center featuring topics of the day, one of which is green manufacturing; and is looking at getting green trash cans.

Why: “Manufacturing has always taken a hit as not being environmentally friendly,” said Peter Eelman, IMTS’ show manager. “IMTS is sensitive to that and will be a leader in implementing green approaches.”

Show manager: Advanstar Communications

Held in: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

2007 show stats: (Aug.) 1,100,885 net sq. ft.; 4,440 exhibiting companies; 120,000 attendees (Feb.) 1,087,000 net sq. ft.; 4,090 exhibiting companies: 120,000 attendees

What they’re doing: Eco-education is a part of Sourcing at Magic; green exhibitors at all of the shows are highlighted in the directory; at the 2008 show worked with Greener Vegas to recycle 44,755 pounds of paper; prints direct-mailers on post-consumer paper and, when possible, electronic communications are used; worked with GES Exposition Services to recycle carpets; Pool purchased bamboo flooring and recycled, reusable carpet; donated new and reusable materials and supplies to Teacher Exchange for Southern Nevada’s public school teachers’ classrooms; and Pool worked with food vendors to supply them with 100-percent compostable products.

Why: “As consumer demand for eco-friendly increases, MAGIC Intl. is committed to having the Marketplace reflect that,” said Chris DeMoulin, Magic Intl.’s president. “While all of our shows are attuned with the green movement philosophically ... we’ll continue to implement eco-friendly features across the Marketplace to ensure it is the best, most dynamic partner for retailers and exhibitors.”

Show manager: Natl. Business Aviation Assn.

Held in: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

2007 show stats: 1,038,600 net sq. ft.; 1,152 exhibiting companies; 32,052 attendees

What they’re doing: For the 2008 convention, all promotional materials, signs and banners will be produced on eco-friendly materials; NBAA is partnering with Freeman to use banners and signage that will be used at multiple shows; will have badge and badge-holder recycle bins at all exits; recycling bins for bottles and cans will be at the OCCC and the Static Display of Aircraft; and silverware, cloth or recycled napkins will be used rather than Styrofoam or plastic dishes and utensils.

Why: “The association began last year to consider some practical but effective steps that could be taken to be more environmentally sensitive, or help exhibitors do likewise,” said Dan Hubbard, NBAA’s vice president of communications.