Exhibit sustainably

Your guide to creating sustainable event booths

Creating a low impact trade show requires a collective effort from everyone attending.

We’ve devised some easy actions you can take to both reduce your exhibiting impact and to support the local Frankfurt community. Together with you, our exhibitors, we’ve been making great strides but there’s always more we can all do.

See our sustainable exhibiting guides:

THE IMEX PEOPLE AND PLANET PLEDGE

Positive change starts with collective action. Make a pledge to champion social and environmental impact at IMEX.

Join our People and Planet Pledge

Building your own booth?

Share this page today with your stand constructor.

Ask your constructor to create as little waste as possible
Pallets and wooden crates should not be left behind after build up and breakdown. Your constructor should take these materials back for recycling
Use sustainable and healthy construction materials such as FSC certified lumber, low VOC paint and glue
Build reusable and modular structures instead of single-use structures and use recyclable alternatives to polystyrene
Order separate recycling bins for paper

Browse the sustainable exhibiting for booth constructors guide covering:

Booth design
Setting up your booth
Breakdown and transportation

OPEN AND SHARE GUIDE

Before the show

Join the People and Planet pledge

Join our pledge:

We’ll add your name to the IMEX People and Planet list of exhibitors who've taken action
You’ll receive a green booth number
And can collect green badges for your team to wear

Make the pledge

Carbon offset your flights

Consider offsetting your flights or choose an airline that does this for you. Check out programs such as:

Ordering a shell scheme booth?

Our shell scheme booth package is a sustainable choice as many of the materials are reused.

Recyclable carpet in a choice of colors is included

Climate-friendly food and drink

Choose plant-based, waterwise and low carbon impact food. Avoid:

Single-use plastic cups, cutlery or other serviceware
Opt for glass and china instead

To print?

Or not to print?

If you do need to print:

Choose certified post-consumer recycled paper and vegetable-based inks
Print locally to reduce emissions
Make your print timeless (not date specific) so it can be reused

Shipping

Environmental options

Avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts (not recyclable) and use reusable, recyclable or biodegradable packaging instead. Find an environmentally friendly shipping center.

Planning giveaways?

Offer digital alternatives, or even better, consider donating to a Frankfurt charity (we can put you in touch with our partner charities).

Train travel

Travel to Frankfurt by train if possible and check out carbon-free train travel with Deutsche Bahn.

Browse the sustainable exhibiting guide for exhibitors, covering:

Booth design
Setting up your booth
Exhibition participation
Removal of materials before breakdown
Breakdown
Catering
Transportation

open guide for exhibitors

Is your booth circular?

Let the IMEX Sales Team know if you’re building a circular booth (one made from recycled materials, that creates no waste and can be used again and again), so we can send our show photographers your way.

At the show

Travel around Frankfurt on foot or by public transportation

To get to and from the airport, or elsewhere in the Rhine-Main region, take advantage of some great public transportation. Frankfurt is very pedestrian-friendly, most of the hotels in the city center are a 20–30 minute walk to Messe Frankfurt.

Download our walking map

Attend Sustainability and EDI education

Sustainability, people and planet, and EDI education sessions take place every day at the Inspiration Hub in Hall 9.

IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award

We’re proud to run the Innovation in Sustainability Award with the Events Industry Council (EIC). The winner is announced at the IMEX Gala Dinner.

IMEX People and Planet Village

Visit the IMEX People and Planet Village in Hall 9. A place to find inspiration and learn about best practices in sustainability and EDI.

Before you leave the show

Hand back your badge

At the end of the show, leave your badge and lanyard in the collection boxes at the exits to the hall. We'll make sure they're recycled responsibly.

Donate and divert

Our donation program reuses and recycles leftover food and materials from the show that would usually go to waste. By working with local partners we can divert unwanted items and help those who need them.

Donation partners

Local partners we support include:

Haus Lichtblick, managed by Caritas Frankfurt – a shelter for the homeless
ShoutOutLoud – a food diversion network and social enterprise
Stiftung Waisenhaus Orphanage – a children’s orphanage

Share your feedback

Thank you for all your support, we are always open to new ideas on sustainable and circular exhibiting. Share your feedback with the IMEX Sales Team: sales@imexevents.com or use @imexgroup #IMEX25 on social.

With special thanks to MeetGreen®

A huge and heartfelt thank you to our sustainability consultants MeetGreen for supporting us on our sustainability journey.
Contact Eric Wallinger on eric@meetgreen.com to find out how MeetGreen can help with your next event.

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