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
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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