Sustainable Exhibiting Shines at IMEX America 2025 -

Sustainability has become a key thought leadership path at IMEX shows, serving as a benchmark and an evolving toolbox for the trade show and events industry. For exhibitors, this means tapping into the maturing frameworks for sustainable exhibitors and also learning to tell their sustainability story.

Billed as a zero-waste event, IMEX America diverts 93 percent of all waste from landfills and returns 88 percent of event carpet to the inventory, among other steps it takes towards it environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. The IMEX America 2024 Sustainability Report, developed by consultants MeetGreen, takes a deep dive into the event’s environmental initiatives, from pre-show planning through to on-site execution, and showcases key achievements and new initiatives as well as areas for improvement.

Sustainable Exhibiting and Measurement Made Easier

When it comes to exhibiting, IMEX works on helping companies understand sustainability and participate at the level they can through education tracks and on-site engagement.

Last year, IMEX Group piloted Better Stands at its shows, an initiative hosted by Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE). Officially launched in June 2025, the initiative has already been implemented in more than 400 events around the world. The 10-point framework is designed to replace single-use booths with reusable structures, and the results demonstrate not only measurable environmental benefits, but also that cutting-edge design and sustainability can thrive together.

Exhibits at IMEX America underwent an evaluation as part of this program and while the results are not in yet, officials noted that the results are trending up and the buy-in from industry stakeholders and suppliers is also improving, although more education is needed. In the meantime, the show also offers sustainable exhibiting guides for booth constructors and for exhibitors. More resources are also available through the Events Industry Council.

Telling Your Sustainability Story

On a show floor full of glitz and color, sustainability stood out in unique ways. The German pavilion was made entirely out of cardboard partitions and matching counters with a few graphics for visuals. A representative of Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s largest trade show hosts and organizers, noted that at first they were somewhat concerned about being next to exhibitors with splashy booths, but it soon became apparent that attendees instantly connected the clean, cardboard design with Messe’s commitment of sustainability. The contrast played in Messe’s favor.

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s booth used modular cardboard elements to build a cultural landmark around its meeting space.

And at the Tokyo booth, sustainability was front and center in everything from the modular construction to paper accordion furniture. The signs also highlighted the behind-the-scenes initiatives, including the use of biodegradable plastic and sugarcane-based cups; the promotion of paperless initiatives and no trash cans in the business meeting space (an interesting cultural aspect, considering how difficult it is to find trash cans in public places in Japan); the reduction of international courier services from Japan to reduce CO2 emissions; and the use of local construction materials with a focus on donations and returns.

For more info on activating with environmental responsibility in mind, check out EM’s ongoing sustainability coverage.

Image credit: iStock/Ivan4es