Informa’s Vitafoods Europe 2015 promises most sustainable event ever

Vitafoods Europe 2015, a leading event devoted to the ingredients and raw materials for the nutraceutical, dietary supplement and functional food and drink industries is making this year’s show the most sustainable Vitafoods event ever. Informa Exhibitions, the event organisers, have already saved the equivalent of 35 tonnes of CO2e savings through changing just one supplier, in an effort to improve the sustainability of the event.

Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Vitafoods Europe, comments, “Every trade show requires huge resources and can lead to large amounts of waste, and Vitafoods Europe is no exception. Huge resources are needed in order for the show to represent the very best the nutraceutical industry has to offer.

“However, by working with exhibitors, conference organisers and Palexpo we have set objectives to minimise the environmental impacts of the conference whilst maximising the benefits to the local economy and community. We also plan to achieve this whilst ensuring that Vitafoods Europe continues to provide a world-leading platform for the nutraceutical industry.”

The Vitafoods Europe team is focusing on four key areas to align these ambitious objectives.

These include:

Waste reduction

Recycling facilities: Vitafoods Europe is aiming to recycle at least 80% of the waste produced at the event and simply using the recycling facilities provided can make the largest single environmental impact. With recycling facilities for up to 14 different waste materials on site, throughout the venue, the organisers will be encouraging all contractors, exhibitors and attendees to use these facilities.

Reducing waste and virgin materials: 2015 will see a reduction in the amount of printed materials used for the event. This year, the Vitafoods Europe team has carefully calculated the amount of event guides needed – this is by far the biggest single print item distributed during the event. The team will also be increase the amount of recycled and recyclable material used in all marketing materials – both its own and those of its exhibitors.

Re-using materials: where possible, materials will be re-used from previous shows instead of treating it as waste. For example, discarded event banners will be used to make robust bags that can then be used to post documents and other items to future exhibitors.

Reducing carbon emissions

Local service providers: through changing its stand production firm from a UK based company to one based locally in Geneva, Vitafoods Europe has significantly reduced its transport-related carbon emissions*. Production of its signs have also been relocated from the UK to Geneva, further reducing transport related carbon emissions.

Green or Blue? Exhibitors will be offered the option of using Green or Blue energy, both of which are 100% renewable: Green Energy uses a mixture of bio, hydroelectric, energy-from-waste and solar, and Blue Energy is generated purely through hydroelectric. The conference hall itself has 30,000m2 of solar panels fitted on its roof, the largest solar power plant in the country!

Public transport: attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to reduce their carbon footprints by using public transport in Geneva. Guests in all hotels in Geneva are eligible for a free Geneva Transport Card, enabling them to use all public transport services for free during their stay. The airport is also within walking distance of the event, and all arrivals receive a free 90-minute public transport ticket.

Exhibitor Sustainability Checklist

Reducing waste: All exhibitors will receive an Exhibitor Sustainability Checklist with suggestions for reducing the environmental impact of their stands. This includes helpful tips on using the recycling facilities and re-using stand materials from previous events where possible.

Transport: the Exhibitor Sustainability Checklist will also provide exhibitors with suggestions for reducing their carbon emissions whilst transporting stands to and from the event.

Charity and community partnerships

Nutrition charities: To maximise the social benefits of the show, Vitafoods Europe is partnering with a global nutrition charity to share its knowledge of the nutraceutical industry to help them achieve their aims. The chosen charity will be announced soon.

Local community: Vitafoods Europe is committed to ensuring that the local community benefits from the event. As a result, the event organisers are offering free day passes to universities and hospitals to make sure the educational benefits of the event are shared. A recent study by the University of Geneva revealed that events inject several million Swiss francs into the local economy each year.

*Total CO2e savings = 35 tonnes.

-ENDS-

Vitafoods Europe

Vitafoods Europe is the most focused event in the world devoted to ingredients and raw materials for the nutraceutical, dietary supplement and functional food and drink industries. Since its launch, year-on-year growth and a sharp business focus have consistently produced results for exhibitors and visitors from across the industry.

In 2014, Vitafoods Europe attracted 13,874 visitors, 750 exhibitors and 300 delegates. Vitafoods Europe forms part of Informa’s Global Health Nutrition Network which includes SupplySide West, Ingredient Marketplace, Vitafoods Asia, Vitafoods South America, Vitafoods Russia & CIS, Vitafoods Africa, Finished Products Europe and Petfood 2.0.
www.vitafoods.eu.com

About Informa
Informa creates and delivers highly specialised information through publishing, events, training, market intelligence and expertise, providing valuable knowledge to individuals, businesses and organisations around the world.

Informa’s Exhibitions division organises over 150 business-to-business and business-to-consumer exhibitions annually, via a global network of offices in the UK, Brazil, UAE, China, USA, Canada, France and Australia. Some of Informa Exhibitions’ leading brands include Arab Health, China Beauty Expo, Monaco Yacht Show, Vitafoods, SupplySide West, Cityscape and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress.

Informa PLC, employing over 8,000 people across 150 cities worldwide, is the largest publicly-owned organiser of exhibitions, events and training in the world providing inspiring marketplaces and opportunities for knowledge to be shared.

Businesses, professionals and academics worldwide turn to Informa for unparalleled knowledge, up-to-the minute information and highly specialist skills and services. The ability to deliver high quality knowledge and services through multiple channels, in dynamic and rapidly changing environments, makes Informa’s offer unique and extremely valuable to individuals and organisations.

For more information please visit www.informaexhibitions.com or www.informa.com