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IMEX 2009 goes even greener

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IMEX continues to assert its leadership on environmental issues within the global meetings industry with a number of new “green” initiatives for the Frankfurt trade show.
Its continued commitment to environmental improvement is demonstrated in the recent completion of IMEX’s first ever independent environmental audit. Conducted by The Carbon Consultancy, the audit found that IMEX managed to reduce its per delegate carbon emissions output by 6.3 per cent last year, despite an increase in delegate numbers.
Other reductions were achieved in the areas of hosted buyer air travel, IMEX staff travel emissions and waste reduction. Organisers Regent Exhibitions will use the report’s findings to further reduce their carbon footprint throughout the coming year.
In 2008 IMEX became the first in its sector to use hydroelectric power together with 21,000 fully recyclable and compostable plastic visitor badges. In common with many other trade shows, IMEX traditionally used to print plastic badges and the same number of plastic badge holders.  By switching to 100 per cent recycled paper badges using a corn starch polymer coating, organisers saved the equivalent of five grown men in sheer weight of plastic.
In 2009 IMEX will be the first to introduce badge lanyards made entirely from plant silk - a completely organic product made from waste grain fibres.
Other green practices for 2009 will include biodiesel courtesy buses, reuse of surplus food through local farms and the use of sustainably-sourced materials for bags and printed items in particular. Last year IMEX succeeded in reducing its total waste output by 20 per cent and expects to exceed this figure come May.
 IMEX will also be encouraging those who are able, to travel by train to Frankfurt. Last year this led to a 70 per cent reduction in the number of flights booked by German hosted buyers and a 30 per cent increase in European buyers booking train travel. 
Each year IMEX presents the Corporate Responsibility Centre, which is run in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) for the benefit of visitors and exhibitors. It provides useful resources for meetings industry operators interested in improving their green and socially responsible credentials. For the first time green workshops will be on offer.  IMEX will again present its Green Awards in 2009, also in partnership with the GMIC. All awards are designed to showcase environmental and CSR improvements across a number of industry sectors.

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