New guide to resource management in the trade fair and exhibition industry

The jointly developed guide, ‘Sustainable Resource Management in the Trade Fair and Exhibition Industry: Prevent – Reuse – Recycle’, brings together industry experience and sets out practical approaches for a more efficient use of materials and greater reuse of resources. At the same time, it provides impetus for further developing existing processes and making them fit for the future.

A guide at just the right time

With the European Ecodesign Regulation, circularity, resource efficiency and material transparency are becoming increasingly important. Even though temporary trade fair and event structures are not classified as a separate product category, the underlying requirements affect numerous materials and components used. This publication addresses these developments and translates them into concrete recommendations for the trade fair and exhibition industry.

Guidance and multilingualism

With this publication, AUMA – Exhibition and Trade Fair Committee of German Industry e.V. and fwd: Federal Association of the Events Industry e.V. are providing, for the first time, a joint guideline on the management of resources in the trade fair and exhibition industry. It creates transparency regarding key areas of action and promotes dialogue between the various stakeholders in the sector.

In addition, the working document contains practical tools such as checklists, a one-pager in 14 international languages, communication templates and wording guides for tenders and orders, to facilitate implementation in day-to-day business operations.

The guidelines are available for download at forward.live and auma.de .

Shared responsibility

With this joint guide, AUMA and fwd: are sending a clear message: the trade fair and exhibition industry can harness its operational strength, creativity and capacity for cooperation to use resources more efficiently, strengthen circularity and make sustainable transformation economically viable.

“With these guidelines, AUMA and fwd: are establishing a common foundation to make resource management in the trade fair and exhibition industry more concrete, predictable and economically viable,” says Marko Roscher, Sustainability Officer at fwd:. “Our aim is not only to provide guidance for companies but also to support them in implementation. After all, the circular economy does not begin at the end of the production cycle, but right from the planning and design stages.”

“Trade fairs are platforms for innovation and economic development. That is why it is crucial that their organisation is also designed to be sustainable,” says Barbara-Maria Lüder, Manager of Legal, Tax, Technical and Sustainability Affairs at AUMA. “The guide shows how resource efficiency, the circular economy and high quality can be combined in trade fair presentations – in a practical way that can be integrated into existing processes.”

fwd: Federal Association of the Events Industry e.V.

fwd: – short for “forward” – stands for the constant drive to further develop the events industry and make it future-proof. Together, we are actively shaping the future of our industry and are committed to ensuring that its interests are strongly represented in the political arena. Our guiding principles shape our actions: fwd: is the home for everyone who comes together as equals to form a strong community – both nationally and regionally. As a strong network, we drive forward the industry’s key issues and work together to shape a successful future. We build bridges with clients, partners and interest groups to promote the sustainable development of our sector. www.forward.live

AUMA – Exhibition and Trade Fair Committee of German Industry e.V.

AUMA is the central trade association for the German trade fair industry. It represents the interests of the German trade fair industry nationally and internationally in dealings with political and economic institutions. Its members include, amongst others, trade fair organisers, event organisers and associations representing exhibitors, service providers and visitors .www.auma.de