What the show is doing

• Back of house waste sort during the show to maximize waste diverted from the landfill and ensure materials are sent to the correct stream.
• Clearly labeled 3-bin front of house systems (recycle, compost, landfill) placed throughout the ACC.
• Designated cardboard drop-off areas throughout the exhibit hall to maximize the cardboard effectively collected and recycled.
• Collection of clings in zero waste pallets post show for recycling.
• GES offers in booth recycling and compost porter service for exhibitors through ESK.
• Eliminated foamcore signage and prohibit styrofoam from the show.
• Staff meals are served on reusable serviceware.
• Identified water refill stations throughout the convention center to allow for easy water bottle refill.
  
• Partnered with r.cup again to bring reusable cups to our networking events at the show. In 2024, we were able to save 3,300 single-use cups and 56 lbs of CO2 eliminated!
• Partnered with We.Use and several CPG brands at Fresh ideas Organic Marketplace to introduce a new pilot program - Zero-Waste Sampling where we be replaced single use paper/plastic cups with reusable sampling ware. In 2024, we diverted 137kg of carbon emissions, 680 lbs of trash and 5500 single-use cups from landfills.
• Introduced Better Stands, a program that helps exhibitors reduce the waste created by single use stands at events in favor for reusable materials.
• We are aiming to eliminate single-use plastics in the coming years!

• Tracking energy consumption at the convention center and hotels to offset the carbon impact through our partnership with AQ Green.
• No HVAC during move in/move out.
• Lighting levels are set to 50% during move in/move out.
• Energy and water consumption at the convention center and host hotels is tracked and offset by partnership with AQ Green and sponsors.
• We automatically offset all staff travel to/from the show.
• Encourage shipping/freight through SmartWay freight partners.

• Attendees are encouraged to participate in the hotels' linen reuse program.
  
• Providing water refilling stations and reusable water bottles for anyone who forgot theirs! During past shows, these water refilling stations helped avoid over 10,000 plastic water bottles from being used.

• Eliminated carpet in the exhibit hall. This removes this over 300,000 sq ft of carpet and padding from our waste stream.
• Styrofoam and foamcore have been banned and eliminated from Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK).
• Continue partnership with GES to procure more sustainable products including reusable and recyclable signage.
• The Show Directory Map is printed on FSC certified paper, which ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
• Show Mobile App will provide all attendees with all pertinent show information.
  
• Utilize digital kiosks instead of print signage throughout the convention center where possible. At previous shows, this allowed us to save 13,475 sq in of printed plexi. 
• Digital signs used instead of cardboard in the Anaheim Marriott. At previous shows, this change allowed us to save 47,880 sq in of cardboard.