Reunion at IMEX
Sustainable exhibition stand design: Leipzig’s best practice at IMEX
Many IMEX visitors will already be familiar with the stand featuring the illuminated Leipzig sign – and that has a lot to do with sustainability. The striking street-food container and the stand furnishings will be used at IMEX 2025 for the fifth time. As in previous years, the approach has been to refurbish and reuse rather than replace. Last year, the container received a fresh coat of paint, and the islands for informal meetings – made from repurposed rain barrels – were refreshed. The terrace flooring on the container roof and the tabletops were also refurbished. This year, the decking boards have been sanded down and now look almost as good as new. “It’s not about simply replacing and throwing materials away, but about reusing them as often as possible and achieving maximum use,” says Sara Rosenblatt. She and her agency, Aras Events, specialise in sustainable event planning and developed a sustainability strategy for Leipzig’s presence at IMEX. Initial sustainable elements of the stand – such as using a repurposed shipping container – were deliberately developed further as part of this concept. Today, the focus extends far beyond the materials used in stand construction. “The biggest sources of CO₂ emissions at an event are energy, catering and transport,” says Sara Rosenblatt. “We can’t influence everything. That’s why we focus on what’s feasible and continually weigh up what makes sense.”
Saving energy? Lights off at the stand
Small steps, big impact: Boosting sustainability at trade fairs
Energy use at the stand is one key area. Even the smallest measures can have a big effect. “Whoever is last at the stand in the evening turns off the lights.” It may sound obvious, but it can’t be taken for granted – and it needs to be factored into both the stand’s design and its day-to-day operation. “Light and power switches must be easily accessible – they can’t be hidden behind cladding. And within the team, it’s clearly communicated what the final task is each evening before leaving the stand,” explains Sara Rosenblatt. Only the fridge-freezer is left plugged in overnight. This is where, among other things, the ice cubes for the cold brew drinks are stored. “The energy-saving alternative would be to do without the fridge. But that would mean that our catering partner would have to schedule additional trips to bring in fresh ice cubes each time. So the resource consumption would simply be shifted elsewhere.” Trade-offs like these are part of the planning process right from the start. A bonus point when it comes to energy: all IMEX exhibitors receive green electricity via Messe Frankfurt.
Mindful indulgence at the exhibition stand
Sustainable catering ideas: Fair-trade coffee and reusables at IMEX
Visitors to IMEX can look forward to authentic Leipzig specialities – and experience first-hand how well sustainability and enjoyment go together. In 2025, the team from Impegia will once again be serving up delicious coffee specialities. They rely on high-quality beans from sustainable agriculture and fair trade sources, roasted locally in Leipzig. The Leipzig-based start-up also uses reusable packaging to reduce waste. Sara Rosenblatt explains: “We weighed up the alternatives up here, too: a regional catering partner from the Frankfurt area would involve shorter transport routes, but we want to strengthen local synergies and showcase Leipzig’s innovative spirit. What better way to do that than with a successful Leipzig start-up in action?” The coffee is served in reusable porcelain cups featuring the distinctive Leipzig lettering. Those who wish can take the cup home as a reusable giveaway. Otherwise, the cups are washed and used again. Porcelain crockery is used for everything else as well. Only the “kalter Hund” is served with napkins – naturally made from recycled materials. The popular no-bake treat, made from biscuits and chocolate, will be prepared in Leipzig and transported to Frankfurt in large baking tins and reusable cool boxes. “No disposable cups, no individually wrapped catering items – that means we avoid a lot of waste.”
Website instead of paper
Saving paper at trade fairs: Digital information for greater sustainability
Speaking of waste: “You still see a lot of flyers and brochures at trade fairs – even though exhibitors are slowly beginning to rethink their approach,” says Sara Rosenblatt. For the most part, the Leipzig team already does without printed brochures. In addition, anything left behind at the stand is taken back to Leipzig and reused. Detailed information is available on the Leipzig Convention Network website, with the link shared at the stand via QR code. A monitor also shows dynamic visuals of the conference destination. Visitor badges make it easy to connect via LinkedIn – printed business cards are hardly needed at all. There is one area, however, where they haven’t cut back: a charming promotional activity. Tammi, the mascot of Zoo Leipzig, will be on the move at IMEX as a Leipzig ambassador. Visitors can have their photo taken with the friendly lion and have it printed at the Leipzig stand. And while they wait, they’ll also get interesting insights into Leipzig as a conference destination.
Eco-friendly travel to the trade fair
Sustainable travel to IMEX: Rail, public transport and electric vehicles
And what about mobility? The container and stand materials are delivered by lorry. “Logistically, there’s no other option. But nearly all our partners from Leipzig travel by train and use local public transport once on site.” The team from the Porsche Experience Center Leipzig will arrive in an electric vehicle made in Leipzig – combining transport with marketing impact. Rental furniture and floral decorations are sourced locally from regional suppliers. Why does Sara Rosenblatt know all this so precisely? She collects this and much more data to gain a complete picture of all emissions-related aspects of the trade fair presence. That’s a key part of the sustainability strategy. “There’s no such thing as 100 per cent sustainability, but we stay alert to where we can still improve. To do that, we compare our targets with the actual outcomes.”
P.S. Wondering what happens to the floral decorations after the fair? Only potted houseplants and herbs like chives and parsley are used – and after the event, they all find new homes with members of the team.
Five Rs for greater sustainability at trade fairs
Best practices: Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Reduce, Repair
In many respects, the stand design reflects the “five Rs” that IMEX has committed to:
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Rethink
- Reduce
- Repair
And the first step? “First and foremost, it’s about sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and building an understanding of why sustainability matters in the first place. And then we want to encourage people to rethink and reassess established processes.” This kind of attentive perspective is especially worthwhile in the trade fair world, where long-standing traditions and routines still shape how things are done. IMEX, as a central platform for innovation in the meetings and events industry, is the ideal place to start these conversations. That’s why Leipzig is once again taking part in the IMEX People & Planet Pledge this year. This is reflected in the way exhibitors and visitors are approached, and in the programme.
The partners of the Leipzig Convention Network are also contributing many exciting ideas for green events in Leipzig and sustainability in event planning. At the Congress Center Leipzig, Zoo Leipzig, the Porsche Experience Center Leipzig, The Westin Leipzig and the Leipzig Marriott Hotel, sustainability plays a role in very different ways – so there’s plenty to talk about.
Conclusion
The combination of all these sustainable ideas results in a truly attractive exhibition stand that has already drawn a great deal of attention. From 20 to 22 May, visitors will once again be able to discover Leipzig as a conference destination – this time across around 36 square metres. IMEX 2025 is the perfect place for organisers to be inspired by what Leipzig has to offer. In personal conversations, you’ll learn everything you need to know about venues and services – and perhaps you’ll even come away with fresh ideas for your next event. We look forward to welcoming you at stand G160!
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