Member Spotlight: Informa Tech – Leading the Way in Sustainable Event Management
This month, in recognition of Earth Day celebrated on the 22nd of April, and with a strong emphasis on sustainability and green initiatives in the events and exhibition sector in Africa, the Association of African Exhibition Organisers is proud to showcase Informa Tech, one of our members, for their exceptional dedication to sustainability.
James Bull, Sales Director at Informa Tech
How does Informa Tech incorporate sustainability practices into their service offering?
Informa Tech’s sustainability strategy, Faster Forward, demonstrates their dedication to transforming their business operations and environmental impact, ensuring a greener future for their events. This three-part program includes ambitious commitments and a wide range of activities, including:
- Faster to Zero: Focuses on achieving zero waste and Net Zero by 2030 or sooner;
- Sustainability Inside: Aims to accelerate customers’ sustainable development by addressing industry-specific sustainability challenges;
- Impact Multiplier: Aims to create a positive impact by improving access to specialist knowledge, investing in communities, and more.
Read more on the Faster Forward strategy here.
What is one notable example of Informa Tech’s sustainable initiatives at a past event?
At Africa Tech Festival 2023 – the largest gathering of Africa-focused connectivity leaders in the world – Informa Tech implemented several sustainability initiatives, incorporating a range of UN SDGs, including:
- Africa Ignite: An entire programme dedicated to empowering African Tech founders, with sessions, matchmaking, a startup showcase and pitching opportunities;
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience: A content track addressing critical sustainability issues;
- EQL:HER Lounge: Providing a space for men and women to discuss gender diversity – and challenges and solutions – in the African Tech community;
- Partnerships: Strong partnerships were built with the City of Cape Town and their tourism board, WESGRO to support the local community through the business tourism generated by Africa Tech Festival.
What measures are taken by Informa Tech to minimise waste generation?
Informa’s key initiative for tackling waste at events is the Better Stands program, which promotes the use of reusable stands over single-use disposable ones by celebrating exhibitors and contractors who choose to use reusable stands. Single-use disposable stands create the majority of waste at events, and this is why it will be a key initiative for the Africa Tech Festival 2024 event.
This specific programme is being piloted across the events industry currently as part of Net Zero Carbon events, with more information available at https://betterstands.info
How does Informa Tech source sustainable materials and supplies for their events?
Informa Tech prioritises sustainable procurement by working with local suppliers and seeking materials that can be reused or have an end-of-life solution, to avoid as much going to landfill as possible. It’s also important to Informa Tech that they work with vendors that share the same attitude, such as the Cape Town International Convention Centre, who have a strong waste management and donation programme at their venue.
What partnerships and collaborations does Informa Tech have in place that enhance sustainability in events?
Last year, Informa Tech continued their partnership with Girl Hype, a local charity dedicated to reducing the gender gap in technology, a theme that is reflected in the EQL:HER lounge mentioned earlier. As mentioned, the company has also partnered with the City of Cape Town and WESGRO, to showcase the city of Cape Town as a tech hub that is open for investment.
How does Informa Tech measure environmental impact?
Informa Group, as a whole, tracks the environmental impact and emissions of all their events, by collecting information such as waste, electricity and gas data from the venue, carpet usage, attendee and employee travel to and from the event; and hotel usage and logistics data is also collected where available. All events complete a framework called The Fundamentals, which is a 16-point checklist designed to make their events as sustainable as possible. Each year, an event will complete The Fundamentals leading up to the event to help the company plan their activities and then fill in the checklist with information post-event. Once they receive their score, they use the feedback to continually improve and work towards the ultimate goal of 16/16.
Success stories and case studies that demonstrate Informa Tech’s commitment to driving sustainability in the events industry
Informa has been involved in a number of initiatives that help drive the sustainability of the whole events industry, from being a founding member of Net Zero Carbon Events, to helping launch Better Stands to tackle the event industry’s key waste contributor. The company has also been piloting Carbon Neutral certified events at a handful of their shows.
Has Informa Tech encountered – and resolved – challenges in implementing sustainable practices?
Informa Tech recognises the importance of communication and collaboration in implementing sustainable change, particularly with initiatives like Better Stands where the company recognises that education and awareness is the first step to getting stakeholders engaged in the programme. As it will require a big shift in the way stands are built, the company wants to make sure there’s been sufficient communication to and collaboration with contractors, to help achieve the aims of Better Stands.
As we celebrate Earth Day, and sustainability across the industry, let’s applaud Informa Tech for their dedication to sustainability and for setting a remarkable example in the events industry. For more information on Informa Tech, visit https://www.informatech.com
For more information on other members driving sustainability within their organisations, read more via the AAXO blog here.