Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

EEAA workshops contribute to industry sustainability framework

EEAA workshops contribute to industry sustainability framework
October 14, 2019

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia’s (EEAA) sustainability initiative has reached another major milestone after successfully delivering two special workshops with industry in Sydney and Melbourne.

EEAA Chief Executive, Joyce DiMascio said that the workshops were another step closer in the development of a sustainability framework for industry and followed an extensive consultation phase conducted by Edge Environment.

DiMascio advised: “The workshops were a critical opportunity for the industry to help co-design solutions specifically suited to the exhibition and event sector.”

Leighton Wood, Chair of EEAA’s Environmental Sustainability Working Group, EEAA Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has played a key role in the initiative.

Wood added: “Our recent EEAA Sustainability Workshops provided evidence of a common will within our industry to play our part in the sustainability of the industry and our planet. I am very proud to be a part of this collaborative effort.

“We are 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.”

DiMascio also noted: “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.”

Edge Environment has identified the top eight eco hotspots that the industry should focus on addressing. These include areas such as attendee waste, food and catering and build materials.

The project will not target air travel and venue energy-related infrastructure as these were deemed beyond the direct control of industry. These are important areas but outside the remit of the brief.

The workshops have been designed and run by Edge Environment, a specialist agency that creates tailored, innovative and evidence-based solutions around sustainable business practice.

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

Max Van Biene, Head of Project Delivery for Edge Environment advised: “Collaboration will be the key to minimising the long-term environmental impact of the events sector.

“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.”

Edge Environment was appointed by the EEAA in June 2019 to develop guidelines for the industry in relation to reducing waste and building on the good work done so far around sustainable practices at business events.

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

Penny Lion, Executive General Manager Events, Tourism Australia commented: “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.”

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) released its 2019 Pulse Report on 17th September 2019. The report provides further hard evidence that the community expects business to be responsible for environmental and social impact, with more than 72% of respondents believing that business should place equal importance on economic, environmental and social performance.

DiMascio concluded: “The release of this report highlights the timeliness and relevance of our work.”

IMage: Representatives from EEAA member organisations, including Organisers, Association Organisers, Venues and Suppliers took part in the workshops at ICC Sydney on Monday 30th September and Thursday 3rd October at MCEC in Melbourne.

Related Articles

10th October 2019 - EEAA Young Stars focus on the future of event marketing

2nd August 2019 - EEAA introduces new networking platform for members

14th June 2019 - Tourism Australia partners with EEAA to support sustainability initiative

13th June 2019 - EEAA completes Global Exhibitions Day events and calls for industry action on sustainability

17th February 2019 - EEAA seeks feedback from emerging leaders on event sustainability practices 

6th December 2018 - EEAA 2018 awards recognise industry excellence and service

27th September 2018 - ICC Sydney and EEAA partner for Global Exchange 2018

17th August 2018 - EEAA Chief Executive endorses ‘Business Women Champions of the Heart’ campaign

15th August 2018 - EEAA initiative to reduce the environmental impact of events


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Spill Station Australia

Compliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Security / Venues

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business