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IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Leipziger Messe:

Sustainable Ideas for the Events Business

July 4, 2022

Founded in 1991, the Leipziger Messe Group of Companies now consists of the trade show units, the congress unit with the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL), the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig and five subsidiary companies. The company keeps sustainability at the core of its operations, regarding it as part of its corporate responsibility and a meaningful investment.

 

Green Certification

 

The Group's motto is 'Growth in Balance', summarising its commitment not just to environmental responsibility, but social and economic responsibility too—and that extends to business partners and employees. It strives to conserve resources, save energy, develop regional synergies and consider social aspects in its role as organiser, service provider and partner for international events.

 

In 2009, it became the first German trade fair company to be Green Globe certified. The Green Globe certification is achieved by meeting stringent social, ecological and economic sustainability criteria. The Leipziger Messe has not only successfully retained this certification ever since but has also held 'Gold Status" since 2018, acknowledging its regular recertification and continuous improvement in sustainable practices.

 

 

 

Leipziger Messe with a view of the east entrance

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Service Standards

 

The Leipziger Messe' Safe Expo' hygiene concept has been developed for the protection and reassurance of exhibitors, visitors, organisers and service personnel working and attending events at Leipziger Messe locations. It's continuously updated to comply with the latest legal requirements regarding COVID-19.

 

Also, in October 2021, for the eighth time in a row, the Leipziger Messe was awarded the 'Service Champion' title in the German trade fair sector. The ranking is determined annually from more than 1.9 million customers surveyed, through a survey carried out by ServiceValue GmbH on behalf of the newspaper DIE WELT and Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main.

 

Commitment to Social Projects and Staff Wellbeing

 

Leipziger Messe holds an annual health day and offers free flu vaccinations, regular first-aid courses and comprehensive occupational safety services to its employees. Staff also benefit from training and study opportunities and teambuilding days.

 

 

A bird's eye view of Leipziger Messe

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Sustainable Measures at its Meeting Venues

 

The sustainability measures that have been implemented on the Leipzig Trade Fair premises, the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) and the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig, cover resource conservation, energy-saving and social issues. The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) is also a co-signatory of the 'fairpflichtet' sustainability code, an initiative from the German Convention Bureau GCB and the European Association of Event Centres e.V., while the KONGRESSHALLE has hosted the Green Meetings and Events Conference 2019.

 

Environmentally-Friendly Everyday Operations

 

The environmental impact of everyday operation is always considered, with Leipziger Messe taking a sustainable approach wherever possible. This extends to procurement, catering, transport and logistics, waste disposal, resources, operational management, social issues and ecology. For example, Leipziger Messe uses sustainable, biodegradable advertising materials made from natural raw materials, which can be used multiple times.

 

Sustainable Mobility

 

Leipziger Messe is also keen to promote and support sustainable mobility. Its measures include:

 

  • Installing charging stations for e-vehicles in the Leipziger Messe staff parking area and at the Congress Center Leipzig

  • Installing an e-bike station with lockers for batteries and bicycle equipment in the Leipziger Messe staff parking area

  • Promoting sustainable mobility concepts for the event industry

 

 

 

The green roof of the CCL

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Ecologically-Friendly Buildings

 

From its inception in the 1990s, designs for the Leipzig Trade Fair exhibition grounds have reflected a sustainable approach. The exhibition halls are nestled in a park landscape with a lake and over 25,000 trees.

 

Energy consumption is optimised through Leipziger Messe's own combined heat and power plant, which provides a total output of around 800 kilowatts to cover the site's basic needs for heat and electricity. Further energy savings are achieved through the combination of ice storage with a refrigeration system and a modern heat exchanger for ventilation.

 

The roofs of the administration building and the CCL, with a total area of 17,961 m², are vegetated. This not only provides ecological benefits, but also extends the life of the roof sealing by protecting the roof against extreme temperatures and weathering. The roofs also provide precious habitat for endangered wildlife, including dragonfly and butterfly species.

 

In summer 2018, five bee colonies were established in a wildflower meadow at the fairgrounds, cared for by a regional beekeeper.

 

fairgourmet offers organic disposable crockery for takeaway food

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Sustainable Subsidiaries

 

Sustainable principles are also fundamental in Leipziger Messe's subsidiary companies.

 

fairgourmet

 

fairgourmet provides catering for trade fairs, congresses, and events, and considers ecological, economic and social sustainability in all aspects of its operations. 2017, the company was awarded the Meeting Experts Green Award, given by the meetings and conventions industry, for its corporate philosophy.

 

Purchasing and logistics: the company focuses on seasonal produce from local suppliers, reducing food miles and cost, and fairtrade products. They also invest in reusable tableware and organic disposable crockery for takeaway meals, such as biodegradable coffee cups, salad bowls and cutlery. The cups and cutlery are made of cellulose and cardboard. Soup tureens are made from sugar cane waste, and the salad bowls are made of transparent bioplastic. Coffee cream is provided in dispensers, replacing around 50,000 individual capsules every year.

 

Energy and resource conservation: when there are fewer events, the company turn off some of their cold stores to save energy.

It optimises the logistics to reduce the need for driving and uses an electric BMW for trips to event locations outside the exhibition centre.

 

Commitment to social projects and staff wellbeing: thorough training is key to fairgourmet operations. The company holds an annual Christmas raffle for charity and its unused food, such as bread and rolls, is made available for charitable initiatives.

 

The FAIRNET booth at the EuroShop trade fair

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

FAIRNET

 

FAIRNET is a Leipziger Messe subsidiary offering trade fair construction and event services. It was one of the first companies to be certified with the 'Sustainable Company' accreditation from the industry association FAMAB Kommunikationsverband e.V. The company scored 111 out of 112 possible points, and certification criteria covered ecological, economic and ethical aspects of sustainability, looking at products, service philosophy and employee responsibility.

 

Purchasing and logistics: the company installs reusable stand construction systems and materials. It also encourages recycling by selling items that can be used again, such as carpets, and uses EU standardised materials. Optimised logistics reduce transport distances, and there is cooperation with a large network of regional partners and providers. Project agreements are made digitally whenever possible, and public transport is used for business trips.

 

Energy and resource conservation: sustainable materials are used in everyday operations where possible. Documents are filed digitally, and economical LED lamps are used in the workplace.

 

The international Transport Forum Summit in progress

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Leipzig Messe’s Positive Partnerships

 

As part of Leipziger Messe's commitment to sustainability, it seeks to support and promote sustainable mobility events and innovative, smart projects.

 

A Warm Welcome for Sustainable Mobility Events

 

International Transport Forum Summit

 

The OECD International Transport Forum Summit has taken place at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) since 2008. It's one of the world's most prominent transport events, attracting government ministers, local authorities, researchers and companies involved in transport and sustainable mobility. The CCL is confirmed as its host venue for the next two years and previously acted as the broadcast location for the virtual event in 2021.

 

The bicycle tour of the International Transport Forum Summit

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Velo-city, 2023 European Cyclists' Federation (ECF)

 

The 2023 European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) world cycling summit, Velo-city, will take place in Congress Center Leipzig from 27th to 30th June. The event will be organised by the City of Leipzig together with the ECF and Leipziger Messe as PCO. ECF chose Leipzig in recognition of its sustainable urban development policies, and its progress and further ambitions for cycling.

 

"With 32% of Leipzigers already cycling daily or several times a week, the new cycling development plan 2030+ is set to boost cycling levels further. We look forward to bringing Velo-citizens to this inspiring and welcoming city," said Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists' Federation.

 

Leipzig will be the first German city to host Velo-city since Munich in 2007, and it's committed to making Velo-city 2023 as climate-neutral as possible.

 

The 100% electric ABSOLUT vehicle in testing outside the Glass Hall

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Supporting Smart Projects and Innovation

 

ABSOLUT Project

 

Leipziger Messe is a partner in the ABSOLUT Project consortium. ABSOLUT aims to test and develop innovative technologies and concepts for efficient traffic control and public transport. As Leipzig is a trade fair location serving travellers from around the world, sustainable mobility is essential for ensuring the city offers an increasingly eco-friendly location for events.

 

The modern infrastructure of the exhibition site provides the perfect environment for the presentation of new innovations. As part of the project, vehicles are being developed and tested on the test track between the Leipzig Messe S-Bahn station and the BMW Group plant in Leipzig. They will be integrated into the LVB offer, enabling public-individual mobility via a 24/7, user-friendly on-demand service.

Leipziger Messe's Glass Hall: Europe's largest all-glass hall

IMAGE: Leipziger Messe GmbH

Future Meeting Space Innovation Network

 

Leipziger Messe is a research partner of the Future Meeting Space Innovation Network. The Network promotes developments and opportunities, and gives clear, practice-oriented recommendations for action.

 

In 2022, the Network is focusing its research on the question: Why will people decide to attend in-person business events in the future? The research project, 'Redefining Event Attendance', looks at how and to what extent people will choose to meet in person in the future. The project brings together the German Convention Bureau (GCB) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) in a search for new models of business mobility. Leipziger Messe is supporting this work as a research partner.

 

Leipziger Messe: Offering the Complete Package

 

Through its helpful team, versatile venues, subsidiary companies and strong network of regional partners, Leipziger Messe can arrange your sustainable event down to the finest detail. The bespoke service the team offers means you can be confident that the needs of both you and your attendees will be met.

 

 

 

 

To discover how the Leipzig Messe locations can offer you the ideal conditions for sustainable events of all types and sizes please visit: www.leipziger-messe.de

 

 

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