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August 18, 2025By: Tuhin SarkarIMEX America 2025 is approaching, and sustainability is at the heart of the conversation. The IMEX America 2024 Sustainability Report reveals bold steps, practical lessons, and measurable progress. From electric buses to beef-free menus, the report shows how one of the world’s largest trade shows is reducing its impact. The big question for planners is simple: what can we learn and how can we apply it to our own events?Sustainability Report Inspires Event ProfessionalsThe new sustainability report from IMEX, developed with MeetGreen®, is more than a list of achievements. It is a guide. It explains what worked, what did not, and where future improvements lie. Event professionals can use it as a practical toolkit. It offers tested ideas, case studies, and metrics that can be applied in events of any size.Advertisement For the events industry, having real-world examples makes change easier. The report breaks down each initiative, from waste management to transport, and shows the outcomes. This level of detail ensures that planners can pick and adapt what suits their own context.Key Achievements at IMEX America 2024The 2024 edition of IMEX America achieved strong sustainability results. For the sixth year in a row, the show diverted over 90 per cent of its waste from landfill. That achievement officially classifies the event as zero waste. This is rare for an event of its scale and shows commitment, not just promises.The transport fleet included five new electric buses. This reduced emissions while proving that large events can transition to cleaner logistics. Another major highlight was the decision to eliminate beef entirely from catering menus. This move cut catering carbon emissions by 39 per cent compared to the 2023 event. It was a bold choice that proved effective.Badge holders also went green. Plastic was replaced with 100 per cent paper. This small change delivered a large impact, showing that sustainability progress can come from incremental adjustments, not just headline innovations.Lessons Learned and Areas to ImproveIMEX has been transparent in admitting that not everything was perfect. The report openly discusses areas for improvement. Material use remains a challenge, with a need to further cut down on resources. Charity donations are also identified as an area that can be enhanced.This honesty makes the report more useful. It reassures planners that progress is not always linear. It is about learning, adjusting, and moving forward. IMEX demonstrates that failure is part of the sustainability journey. The important thing is to keep iterating.Carina Bauer’s Rallying CryIMEX CEO Carina Bauer has made sustainability a personal priority. In h …
