Sustainability

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE LAUNCHED AT EEAA 2019 LEADERS FORUM AND CONFERENCE

On Global Exhibitions Day, 5 June 2019 the EEAA launched its next phase of its environmental sustainability initiative at the EEAA 2019 Leaders Forum and Conference.

Sustainability was one of the main themes of the EEAA 2019 Conference, the key actions were:

  • Edge Environment appointment to work with the EEAA to develop a sustainability framework for the business events sector was announced on GED. Edge will allow the Association to assess the key environmental impacts and identify key points of intervention where change could occur
  • Tourism Australia partnership with the EEAA and support the EEAA on the Champions of Sustainability program for the year ahead was announced on GED.
  • Leighton Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Chair of the EEAA Sustainability Working Group and EEAA Board member presented a report back on the work completed to date in creating a road map for the industry to follow into the future. Focussing on best practice benchmarking, the sustainability road map will follow principles that include collaboration, cost awareness and education, clarity and measurement.
  • Katy Barfield, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yume Food delivered a thought-provoking presentation on how she became a ‘Food Waste Warrior’ to creating an online surplus food marketplace in order to combat large scale food waste.
  • EEAA embedded sustainability practices in its own event delivery from actions taken in relation to venue choice, marketing of the event, food served and other procurement choices.
Environmental Sustainability Working Group Panel discussed industry waste challenges at the EEAA 2019 Leaders Forum and Conference

EEAA YOUNG MEMBERS CONSULTED

The Association consulted the young members at two events, held in Sydney and Melbourne in February 2019 to test the Sustainability Framework draft that was developed by the EEAA Sustainability Working Group in 2018. The Young Stars provided feedback on the Sustainability Framework that was presented to the EEAA Board and considered when launching the current implementation phase at the EEAA 2019 Leaders Forum and Conference.

The EEAA understands the importance of involving young people in discussion regarding the sustainability of the industry. Young Stars events such as the Sustainability Forums give emerging leaders a direct pipeline to senior leaders so that they can influence the course of action.

Thank you our EEAA Young Stars program partners, Tourism Australia and Ungerboeck. A big thank you also to ICC Sydney and MCEC, for hosting the events.

Young Stars Sustainability Forum Sydney – 25 February

Young Stars Sustainability Forum Melbourne – 26 February

FIRST STEPS TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY TAKEN AT 2018 CONFERENCE

At the 2018 Leaders Forum and Conference delivered Members of the Association held a session, led by  New EEAA Board Member, and Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Leighton Wood, aimed at establishing a shared commitment to creating a more responsible industry, which resulted in the development of a working group that will work on building a sustainability charter and sharing best practice.

The Committee compromises of :

  • Chair – Leighton Wood, MCEC and EEAA Board Member
  • Helen Mantellato, ICC Sydney and EEAA Board Member
  • Ross Ferrar, Gaming Technologies Association and EEAA Board Member
  • Pedro Gallo, Diversified Communications Australia
  • Luke Edginton, Adelaide Convention Centre
  • Cory McCarrick, Reed Exhibitions Australia
  • Jonathan Wilczek, Diversified Communications Australia
  • Michael Firman, Harry the Hirer
  • Adrian Slingsby, ICC Sydney
  • Heather Craven, Audited Media Association of Australia
  • Rodd Craig, Aerospace Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia
  • Claudia Hunter, Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia
  • Joyce DiMascio, Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia