The organiser of IMHX 2010 has revealed bold plans to offset the carbon used at the UK’s premier logistics event. In a move unprecedented in UK materials handling and logistics trade shows, Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions has announced that the next International Materials Handling Exhibition in 2010 will work towards being carbon neutral by offsetting the carbon produced by staging the show and by visitor travel to the venue, the NEC in Birmingham.
For the first time, the exhibition will feature a special Environment Zone. This green-styled open lounge area will include terminals at which visitors to the show can offset their carbon footprint of travel to and from the show - at no cost to themselves - using a web-based carbon calculator.
Paul Michael, managing director of Quartz, said: "More and more businesses are adopting a low-emissions policy as a core part of their corporate strategy. The issue will be even more important by 2010, but we all know that it’s imperative that we act now to limit climate change, so we’re taking up the challenge in our plans for IMHX. By assessing and offsetting the carbon emissions produced by the event, we’re setting a benchmark for exhibitions in the logistics sector and leading the handling industry into environmentally friendly thinking."
Working with an accredited carbon offset partner, Quartz will offset the CO2 resulting from the exhibition by planting trees within the UK. Given its own branding - featuring a leaf design and the slogan ‘Be part of the solution’ - the IMHX Environment Zone will be located in hall 17 of the show and will also index and showcase the latest environmentally friendly products and services from exhibitors.
The emissions to be neutralised include the event’s lighting, heating, power consumption, transportation and accommodation, but the effort goes further than merely offsetting. Event director, Rob Fisher, explained: "There are so many other ways that we as organisers, our exhibitors and visitors can help to reduce the carbon footprint of IMHX. We will encourage visitors to use public transport, where possible, by providing details and maps on the show’s website. Visitors and exhibitors will be encouraged to share cars when travelling to and from the NEC. We’ll be using recycled paper wherever possible and we want our press office to be virtually paperless. Exhibitors will also be encouraged to bring fewer materials to the show and to download documentation onto USB sticks for visitors. The visitor carrier bags will also be recyclable."