The 2010 IMEX exhibition, showcasing incentive travel, meetings, and event suppliers from around the globe, recognized outstanding environmental and community-service efforts during its annual awards ceremony in Frankfurt.
Green Meetings Gold. The United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP15), which drew more than 10,000 people and much publicity to Copenhagen last December, earned its organizers—the COP15 Logistics and CSMP Team working within The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs—the IMEX Green Meetings Gold Award. Judges noted not only the event’s substantial sustainability efforts but the organizers’ commitment to the community and pre- and post-event management.
Green Meetings Silver. The Green Meetings Silver Award went to Intel Corp. for its Intel Development Forum America event in San Francisco in September 2009. Commented Intel’s Lou Cozzo, corporate event marketing manager, Executive Speech and Event Strategy Group: “We will use this award as inspiration to innovate earth-friendly practices that lessen environmental impact for IDF and other events that Intel supports—always with the ultimate payoff in mind, a better planet for all.”
Green Supplier Awards. This year’s top Green Supplier Award went to Australia’s Adelaide Convention Centre. After winning the silver prize in 2009, the center took home the gold this year in recognition of environmental excellence and innovation. Chief executive Alec Gilbert summed up the center’s culture as “Gold Service, Green Attitude.” Another Aussie venue won the 2010 silver medal: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Green Exhibitor Award. In the Green Exhibitor category, the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau was honored with the top award, impressing judges with the number of carbon reduction measures it implemented throughout the show. These included using Swiss wood for the booth construction, sending staff to the show via train to reduce carbon emissions, organizing its materials into one shipment, and using low-energy lighting and locally sourced organic food and beverages.
Commitment to community. Tourism Toronto, the Toronto Convention & Visitors Association, won the IMEX Commitment to the Community Award for its Relax, Recharge & Renew program, which gives luxury weekend getaways to parents of children with special needs. Every week, two families receive a limousine pickup, two nights in a hotel, tickets to shows and attractions, meals at local restaurants, and a gift.
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