PARIS — World Exhibitions Day (GED) is traditionally held each year on the first Wednesday of June to raise the profile of the exhibition industry worldwide. No fewer than 100 countries and regions participate. Each year, a different theme is proposed, and for this year’s event on June 5, organizers have chosen one that is undeniably at the heart of the industry’s concerns: sustainability: “Exhibitions are catalysts for a sustainable future.”
“Every industry needs to move towards carbon neutrality. Our industry is no exception and we are committed to proving that our environmental impact is neutral and sometimes even ‘net positive’. Compared to many others, our case is quite clear and simple,” said Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO of UFI, the global association for the exhibition industry.
The goal of the industry’s Net Zero Carbon Events initiative is to develop methodologies, guidelines and tools to show that our industry is part of the solution to the climate crisis – not the problem, he said.
Related. GBTA joins the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative
“Of course, every event generates carbon emissions, but we can manage them much better by centralizing our operations under one roof, as a meeting place or marketplace for the industry or the community, rather than having all our attendees and exhibitors travel all the time for a single meeting,” he said. “As hundreds of companies around the world start reporting their greenhouse gas reductions under the initiative, we will be able to prove that we have successfully decarbonized.”
“The GED is an opportunity to highlight and raise awareness of the positive role we play in bringing together all sectors to meet, discuss and innovate towards greater sustainability in their sectors.”
In addition to the sustainability pillar, three other pillars are at the heart of this year’s GED: 1. Exhibitions Drive Progress: Exhibitions are platforms to discuss, create and showcase solutions to our universal challenges; 2. Exhibitions Facilitate Economic Growth: Exhibitions are engines of economic growth, connecting industries and driving job creation; and 3. Exhibitions Connect People: Exhibitions are community builders, bringing people together face-to-face to connect, collaborate and contribute.
Industry members can find tools and resources to help with their promotional efforts on the GED website, including a #GED2024 toolkit with customizable visuals and a “Global Economic Impact of Expos” infographic to highlight our industry’s relevance globally and regionally. There are also suggestions on how to make the most of the day and a tool for attendees to add their efforts to a global map.
Contact Kai Hattendorf at kh@ufi.org