EEAA leads from the front on sustainability with latest workshops

October 13, 2019

MCB industry partner, the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) push for the development of a sustainability framework for industry moved another step closer after delivering two special workshops run by Edge Environment in Melbourne and Sydney.

“The workshops were a critical opportunity for the industry to help co-design solutions specifically suited to the exhibition and event sector,” said EEAA chief executive Joyce DiMascio.

Leighton Wood, chair of EEAA’s Environmental Sustainability Working Group, said the recent workshops showed the industry is leading, not following or being forced to take action.

“The Edge Environment methodology will ensure that the industry is engaged in the process and will also ensure buy-in on the solutions proposed to reduce waste,” he said.

“Our sector produces many kinds of events from small scale dinners to large scale trade and consumer exhibitions and conferences – so it is important that we produce a framework that can easily be applied across many platforms and that we focus on the areas in which we can have the maximum impact.”

Over the past three months Edge Environment has met with a range of EEAA members from across the industry to identify current practices and map the lifecycle of events.

“Collaboration will be the key to minimising the long-term environmental impact of the events sector,” said Max Van Biene, head of project delivery for Edge Environment.

“The consultation and workshops will help inform some short-term commitments and targets for the sector as well as lay the groundwork to develop some longer-term technology, procurement and education-based solutions and resources that can help create systemic change.”

Tourism Australia announced their commitment to the EEAA Sustainability Program in June this year at the EEAA Leaders Forum and Conference in Melbourne.

“As the founding partners of EEAA’s Sustainability Program, we look forward to the first two workshops to collaborate with our industry colleagues on addressing environmental challenges and supporting a strong and sustainable future of the business events industry,” said Penny Lion, executive general manager events at Tourism Australia.

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Content via cimbusinessevents.com.au