New tool for planet-friendly practices: IMEX Frankfurt Sustainable Event Report

Ahead of IMEX Frankfurt 2025 taking place May 20–22, the full rundown of sustainability successes, experiments and learnings from last year’s show have been revealed in a new report.

The Sustainable Event Report for IMEX Frankfurt 2024 details the backstage insights and is designed for planners to use as a tool when embedding planet-friendly practices into their own events.

Minimizing waste, sourcing sustainable suppliers and choosing planet-friendly F&B options are just some of the sustainability hurdles cited by event professionals in recent research (AMEX 2025 Global Meetings and Events Forecast). These challenges are all covered in the IMEX report along with a host of first-time initiatives in line with the company’s commitment to trial new ways to enhance the sustainability of events and experiment on behalf of the industry.

First-time initiatives at IMEX Frankfurt 2024 included:

• 100 per cent beef-free menus at IMEX Frankfurt catering outlets and at the Gala Dinner – beef significantly outweighs other food groups in terms of high greenhouse gas emissions
• Pilot program of Better Stands assessment framework for exhibitors – this aims to reduce single use disposable booths in favor of reusable structures
• Sustainable switches of material: PVC graphics replaced with paper–based format and petroleum-based substrates window displays replaced with paperboard

Cumulative, positive impact

“Our ethos is to share what we learn and to be transparent in reporting our progress – presenting a realistic overview of what worked and what we can do better. In this way we hope to broaden the industry’s understanding and bring others along with us as we champion best practice,” explains IMEX CEO, Carina Bauer.

Carina Bauer, IMEX CEO

“Driving fundamental change to how our sector operates will not be easy, but it’s essential. The enormity of the climate crisis may leave many event professionals wondering: where do I start? My advice is always to start with the small things – cumulatively they have an impact – and to focus on the areas you can control. As an industry we have a huge collective power, and therefore a huge responsibility, to ensure our events deliver a positive impact.”

All participants at this year’s IMEX Frankfurt can play their part by signing up to the People and Planet Pledge. Exhibitors can also use the IMEX Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.

The article New tool for planet-friendly practices: IMEX Frankfurt Sustainable Event Report first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.