The 2011 EIBTM Sustainable Stand Award was a tough choice for Positive Impact’s Judge Charlie Banks. With some really strong contenders, demonstrating not only knowledge around sustainability, but also implementing it within their stand design. Finland, Iceland and Godwana did great jobs, however it was Conventa who clinched the top prize.

Conventa won the award, because they showed a really clear understanding of sustainability and this was reflected within the design of their stand. The stand was created using sustainable wooden creates, which have been used over 12 different times. The cardboard furniture is also from sustainable resources and after the event will be up-cycled in to other reusable items.

The team also reduced their waste buy using glasses instead of plastic cups and took steps to measure their waste, travel and electricity for the event. All marketing materials were FSC certified and 87% are from recycled materials. Any materials that were not used were donated to a local NGO which creates new products from waste materials. The carbon emissions that were produced from the transportation have been calculated and a donation based on this has been given to the Beekeeping Association of Slovenia.

Conventa not only thought about the environmental impacts but considered the social aspects as well, by partnering with Idrija Lace School that enriches the tradition of making handmade Idrija babin lace. The Conventa team wear necklaces from handmade babin lace to promote this tradition, as well as supporting the local economy

Conventa showed an understanding of standards such as ISO 20121 (International Standard for Sustainable Event Management) and reporting on sustainability (GRI Event Organiser Sector Supplement) and have made a commitment to adopt these systems as they grow in the future. They also promote their sustainable actions and commitment through their own website.

Conventa’s Maruša Rosulnik said after being presented with the award “Winning the Sustainable Stand Award at EIBTM for Conventa has meant a great deal. It’s a great way of recognising the positive work that we have carried out to try and reduce our negative impacts when exhibiting at EIBTM and at other events. Conventa fully supports sustainability as a way of working within the event industry and it’s encouraging to see shows such as EIBTM raising awareness of this.”

Well done to Conventa and to all of the participants of the EIBTM 2011 Sustainable Stand Award, we hope you will all be entering next year.