2017 UFI Sustainable Development Award goes to Fira Barcelona
June 12, 2017
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has unveiled Fira Barcelona as the winner of its annual Sustainable Development Award.
The theme of this year’s competition, “Best destination approach to implementing sustainability”, was chosen in order to recognize initiatives that combine the efforts of a destination, in partnership with a professional exhibition operator, to implement sustainability around an individual exhibition or a series of events.
The award jury was composed of Members of the UFI Sustainable Development Committee and Dianne Young, Chair of the UFI Sustainable Development Committee and CEO of the Exhibition Place (Toronto, Canada), said: “Fira Barcelona’s entry demonstrates a very broad approach to sustainability which goes much beyond the stand-alone direction,”
She added, “Their strong collaboration with the City Council and other organizations is an important part of maximizing change and innovation, and as highlighted below several of their results are very impressive. The jury would also like to congratulate Marina Bay Sands from Singapore and RAI Amsterdam from the Netherlands who were finalists for this year’s award”.
After implementing certain measures around their own events (energy efficiency, eco-design, waste management, CSR program and paperless processes) and guest events (such as free consultancy and donation room), Fira Barcelona realised that they needed to expand their scope: they therefore began to develop joint initiatives with their City Council and other relevant entities.
These joint initiatives included the following:
- Development of a “Good Environmental Practices Manual” in conjunction with the Catalan Regional Government and the Catalan Waste Management Agency;
- Admission to the Barcelona Sustainable Tourism program developed by the Barcelona Convention Bureau;
- Promoting the use of public transportation among the attendees with the Barcelona City Council and other entities;
- Launch of the “Towards Zero Waste” program as a part of the “Smart City World Congress”.
Constantí Serrallonga, general manager of Fira de Barcelona, said, ”Fira de Barcelona’s commitment towards sustainability is a long-standing one. Not only have we implemented many initiatives over the past few years around our own events, but we have launched new events focusing on making companies, cities and the world a better place and have tirelessly encouraged our partners, clients, attendees and fellow cities to join us in this collective effort. Sustainability has indeed become a part of who Fira de Barcelona is and receiving the UFI Sustainable Development Award is not only an honour but a reward that further strengthens our determination to continue developing even better initiatives.”
The entries submitted by the 2017 UFI Sustainable Development Award finalists, together with the three additional entries selected during the first round of the competition as examples of best practices: BVV Trade Fair Brno (Czech Republic), CTICC (South Africa) and Meetings Africa (South Africa), are all available at www.ufi.org/sdaward.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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