News | July 12, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently recognized six companies for their sustainable exhibiting best practices within the scope of the 2018 UFI Sustainable Development Award.
The UFI Sustainable Development Committee is always looking for exhibition companies that strive to be sustainable on an economic, social and environmental level – both within their own exhibition structure and related exhibition operations. The jury decided against awarding just one company this year. Instead, it decided to recognize six entries for their exemplary work on sustainable exhibiting, as demonstrated through tangible, specific measures.
Five additional entries were also selected as examples for “Best practices in the field of sustainability” in the first round of the competition: ADNEC (UAE), BVV Brno (Czech republic), IFEMA (Spain), La Rural, Predio Ferial de Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Las Vegas Sands – The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo & Convention Center (USA).
Sands Expo & Convention Center has evolved to become a global leader in sustainable strategies while providing unparalleled levels of customer service since it opened in 1991. Combined with The Venetian and The Palazzo, Sands Expo features more than two million square feet of flexible meeting and exhibition space, making it one of the largest, greenest convention centers in the world. Sands Expo is consistently identified among industry peers and publications as one of the most successful trade show venues in America.
Since the launch of Sands ECO360 Global Sustainability Program in 2011, Las Vegas Sands has focused on four main pillars: Green Buildings, Environmentally Responsible Operations, Green Meetings and Events, and Stakeholder Engagement. In 2016, the pillars were aligned with three key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Affordable and Clean Energy, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Responsible Consumption and Production. As part of its roadmap, the three properties in Las Vegas have aligned many of its key initiatives with Sands ECO360.
The next milestone in UFI’s activity around sustainable development is the “Next steps towards sustainability” conference in Orlando, Florida in August where Pranav Jampani, director of sustainability for The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo will speak at the educational forum and also participate in the Sustainable Events: Bold Industry Goal workshop.