.jpg?tr=w-345%2Ch-173%2Cfo-auto "All About IMEX")
All About IMEX
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IMEX America Event Hub.
Sustainability has been central to the work of IMEX Group for more than 20 years. And the organization continues to refine its approach, according to the recently released IMEX America 2025 Event Sustainability Report.
“The IMEX America 2025 Sustainability Report is much more than metrics,” said David Harrison, CFO of IMEX. “It’s evidence of our wider sustainability strategy translated into practical action and measurable outcomes. It shows what happens when sustainability moves beyond aspiration and becomes embedded in everyday decision-making across an event.”
Harrison explained that IMEX takes a practical approach to sustainability. “Our sustainability strategy, which we created with [sustainable event specialist] isla, is built around a simple idea: focusing on the choices we can make ‘in the moment,’” he said. “Rather than concentrating on distant targets, we believe meaningful progress comes from focusing on what’s real and within reach. In terms of our shows, it’s the many — often small — practical decisions made before, during and after each event.”
The new report, which was prepared in cooperation with sustainability consultancy MeetGreen, is based on more than 14 years of IMEX America environmental data. Rather than simply documenting past efforts, the report offers a detailed assessment of environmental practices — highlighting what worked and where challenges remain, so that planners can improve their own sustainability strategies, as well.
Harrison noted that the report “demonstrates how seemingly small operational choices, around factors such as carpet design, catering, signage, water provision, supplier engagement and waste management, can collectively deliver significant impact.”
Making Measurable Progress
IMEX America 2025 achieved a variety of important accomplishments in sustainability — including retaining its zero-waste designation for the seventh consecutive year by diverting 90% of the show’s waste stream from landfill or incineration, even as the event reached its largest size to date. Additional highlights include:
• WATER REFILL STATIONS and coolers made it possible to eliminate the equivalent of 50,615 plastic bottles — an average of 2.8 bottles per attendee. Single-use plastic reduction initiatives included using plumbed Bluewater stations, 195 five-gallon water coolers and five built-in venue water stations in IMEX America contracted event spaces.
• 87% OF CARPET WAS RETURNED to inventory and stored locally for future shows. To reduce carpet waste, IMEX worked closely with GES, a global experiential marketing and logistics partner, to align aisle layouts with standard roll widths from Emerald Carpets. This meant carpet could be installed without cutting, making re-rolling and reuse more efficient after the show.
• IMEX-OPERATED FOOD-AND-BEVERAGE OUTLETS offered a beef-free menu, with 33% of entrees consumed falling into vegetarian or vegan categories (which have the lowest emissions). In addition, F&B menu items were sourced from within a 500-mile radius of Las Vegas.
Small Decisions, Measurable Results
Planners looking for practical, actionable tips will find lots of useful information in the IMEX America 2025 Event Sustainability Report. “What makes this especially relevant for the wider business events industry is that these are not theoretical concepts,” Harrison said. “They’re all real-world examples tested at scale, with successes and challenges along the way.”
Understanding complexities and opportunities is an especially strong message for planners, according to Harrison. “Sustainability success can’t be achieved through a single transformational initiative,” he explained. “It’s delivered through transparency, collaboration and continuous improvement. In our experience, progress doesn’t come from chasing perfection. Progress begins with understanding your impacts, setting clear priorities and then improving and making small, iterative enhancements year after year.”
The report also illustrates how IMEX America 2025 supported the core goals of the organization’s strategy. To further the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2030, for example, IMEX has expanded its use of isla’s TRACE platform, and last year captured 90% of participant air and ground travel data. This information builds a strong evidence base to understand where emissions occur and to identify opportunities for future reductions.
An Across-The-Board Effort
Harrison’s emphasis on collaborative efforts also carries over into the report’s focus on the importance of recognizing the potential roles of various players in sustainability, beyond the
most obvious stakeholders.
“While organizers can make substantial improvements to event operations, no single stakeholder controls the entire sustainability equation,” he explained. “Travel emissions,
exhibition booth construction, logistics, venues, suppliers and attendee behaviors all contribute to the overall footprint. That means progress depends on collective action across the entire ecosystem.”
IMEX America provides a perfect example of the need for collective sustainability efforts. The organization directly oversees branding and assets for only about 25% of total front-of-house event space. As a result, influencing the remaining 75% of exhibitor spaces responsibly is crucial for achieving greater sustainability goals.
IMEX addressed that issue in 2025 with its first large-scale recovery effort for polyester banners and structural booth materials. An estimated 2,498 pounds of polyester was recovered after the show and donated through Mandalay Bay community channels for repurposing into livestock shade, bedding and cleaning applications.
The report also acknowledges challenges in measuring the impact of exhibitor booths. Estimates indicate that exhibitor emissions exceeded an estimated 791.11 metric tons of
carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions, compared with 647 metric tons for other event emissions excluding participant travel. IMEX is exploring ways to gather more exhibitor information while promoting the idea of greater booth reuse.
Opportunities to Learn
Attendees at IMEX America 2026 will find myriad opportunities to improve their own efforts. At the Inspiration Hub, for example, sustainability experts will take the stage at the People and Planet Theater to cover topics such as inclusive event proposals, ESG strategy development and effective approaches to lower-carbon menus.
Planners can also learn a lot from simply perusing the IMEX America 2025 Sustainability Report, according to Harrison.
“This is why sharing our data openly matters — our mantra’s always been ‘we share what we learn,’” he explained. “We don’t publish this report because we have all the answers. We publish it because we believe the industry advances faster when organizations are willing to share both their successes and challenges. Ultimately, that’s what this report represents: progress, accountability and a commitment to helping raise standards across our entire sector.”
Learn more about IMEX America here.