This year’s edition of Meetings Africa is set to be the greenest ever, with more event greening in place for the show than ever before.
Africa’s foremost industry trade show has pioneered event greening since 2011. And this year, with the help of the Event Greening Forum (EGF), organisers have been able to purchase renewable energy certificates to power the event.
EGF chairman Justin Hawes said: “The easiest way to grasp the concept of greening lies in applying the following three words: reduce, re-use and recycle. Going green does not always mean cutting back on the good times. Green events still enable one to enjoy events, while being healthy and environmentally-friendly at the same time.”
A Meetings Africa spokesperson said: “The Meetings Africa team aims to showcase Africa as a premier business events destination that cares about its people and the natural environment. Through hosting the event in a responsible manner, it reflects the importance of local economic development, and keeps abreast of international trends.
“We have seen a greater commitment towards sustainability from the ‘official’ hotels partners. So, as done in the past, there will be an award for the Greenest Hotel. This will be awarded to one of the Meetings Africa 2019 hotel partners.”
As in previous years Meetings Africa will host the green stand awards to give recognition to the exhibitors who go that extra green mile.
It has also issued a top 15 green tips for exhibitors, which include the opportunity to buy a tree to offset carbon footprint and encouraging staff to drink the filtered tap water freely available on the exhibition floor.
The show is also implementing a surcharge on bottled water, with the money raised being donated to the event’s carbon-offset programme after the event. In 2018, a total of 111 bottles of water were sold, down from the 225 sold in 2017, which contributed to the planting of eight trees.
The show takes place at the International Convention Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 26-27 February.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
