IMEX America Launches New CSR Initiative, Coincides with World Environment Day
June 19, 2016
Just before the United Nations’ World Environment Day 2016, which was June 5, the IMEX Group revealed a new volunteer CSR initiative that’s set to take place in Las Vegas the day before IMEX America 2016 opens in October.
“We’re thrilled to be launching this new project, which gives a fresh dimension to our legacy work in Las Vegas,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group.
She added, “It naturally complements our existing partnerships with The Shade Tree and Opportunity Village and gives industry volunteers a brand new way to show their love of the environment while, hopefully, making lifelong friends and new business connections.”
The MeetGreen® Sustainability Report for IMEX America 2015 shows that concerted sustainability actions by hosted buyers, visitors, exhibitors and the organizing team continue to make a difference, reducing both waste and the environmental footprint of the show, and this latest CSR IMEX initiative is on lock step with that and the goals of the UN’s World Environment Day.
World Environment Day is marked by the UN to continue to bring global awareness to green interests like sustainable cities, the importance of bees in our world, wildlife preservation and much more.
It also continues to drive forward the historic 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit.
In the spirit of this global movement, Garbage Grabbers – Clean Up in Las Vegas is a new project in which IMEX America is working with the Outside Las Vegas Foundation, the premier volunteer coordination group for nature and the outdoors in southern Nevada.
On Oct. 17, volunteers attending the IMEX week will be invited to join IMEX America staff and Las Vegas residents in an organized clean-up of walking trails and parks. Everyone who would like to join the Garbage Grabbers should email milda.salciute@
Driving IMEX’s interest in helping to mitigate waste and build cleaner spaces were results from the MeetGreen® Sustainability Report from IMEX America 2015 where waste per participant was reduced by a substantial 13 per cent year-over-year. Energy use was also cut by 5 per cent, while paper use was down 12 per cent.
According to the MeetGreen® Calculator of Overall Event Sustainability, IMEX America’s current score of 76.5 per cent [2011: 49.8 per cent] puts the trade show in the top 6 of 33 comparable events monitored by MeetGreen®.
The main results of the report are summarized in an infographic at http://www.imexamerica.com/
Environmental sustainability has always been a key value for the IMEX Group, which is committed to encouraging best practice and educating the global meetings and events industry through a range of activities and program at both IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America.
Here are some of the programs:
• Badge Back – at the end of the show, buyers and exhibitors can place their badge in one of two boxes. Each box represents a local charity – The Shade Tree, a shelter for homeless and abused women and children; and Opportunity Village, Nevada’s largest not-for-profit organization providing vocational training, employment and arts-based programs for citizens with intellectual disabilities. Every recycled badge triggers a financial donation. In addition, 1,407 badges were collected last year and donated to the Teacher’s Exchange.
• Clean the World – show participants are invited to recycle toiletries gathered from participating hotels. At the booth, attendees gather to build hygiene kits to be donated to The Shade Tree shelter.
• Inspiration Hub – education on the show floor’s Inspiration Hub will again feature a variety of sessions addressing sustainability practices in the meetings and events industry.
For further details about sustainable activities at IMEX America and to download the 2015
Sustainability Report, please visit http://www.imexamerica.com/
The IMEX Group also reflects its commitment to sustainability at IMEX in Frankfurt. For details visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/
Along with the International Congress and Convention Association, the IMEX Group is also a partner of the new Global Destination Sustainability Index, the first ever sustainability ranking for event destinations world worldwide, initiated by ICCA’s Scandinavian Chapter and MCI. http://gds-index.com/
For further information about World Environment Day please visit http://wed2016.com/
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.
Add new comment