Environment and Sustainability at Messe Augsburg Trade shows bring people together. At the same time, they require enrgy, materials, and mobility. That is why we assess the impact of our operations and work to use resources more consciously—at the exhibition grounds, during our events, and in our collaboration with service providers. To this end, we have established sustainability management as a separate division within our corporate structure.
Our photovoltaic system generates electricity on the exhibition grounds; the additional electricity we purchase comes from 100% hydropower, in accordance with our supply contracts. In addition, we address issues related to lighting, procurement, catering, waste, and travel options. We identify areas where we can improve processes, implement measures, and make our progress transparent.
Why Trade Shows and Conferences Bring People Together At trade shows and conferences, companies meet many people in one place: they engage in conversations, discover solutions, and establish contacts for new projects. This makes in-person interaction focused and predictable. An AUMA study highlights the potential here: In a survey conducted at nine international trade shows, participants reported that, without attending the trade show, these contacts would have required an average of 5.1 additional individual trips per person per trade show day. This result pertains to the trade shows surveyed and does not represent a carbon footprint assessment of the Augsburg Trade Fair.
An event’s environmental impact also depends on travel to the venue, energy consumption, and material usage. As a venue, we are working to address these areas. At the same time, trade shows provide companies with a platform to showcase new technologies and solutions and to engage in face-to-face discussions about them.
At our own events, we also dedicate space to topics that are important for sustainable development. One example is the OFF-GRID Expo + Conference. This international conference and trade show focuses on decentralized, off-grid energy supply. Key topics include renewable energy, energy storage, and how energy can be used to support water and food supplies.
The event combines an exhibition, a professional conference, and hands-on training sessions. Companies, experts, and organizations can use the event to present technologies, exchange experiences, and establish contacts for specific projects. In this way, we create a platform for solutions and discussions on energy supply and resource use. The impact that individual solutions have on the ground depends on how they are applied.
Messe Augsburg is a member of AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry, and actively participates in its Sustainability Working Group. There, we exchange ideas with experts from other trade fair companies on issues affecting our industry: from energy and emissions calculations to procurement and the handling of materials in trade fair operations. We contribute our experiences from Augsburg and take away ideas for further developing our own work. This exchange helps us address challenges collectively and develop practical solutions.
Messe Augsburg supports fairpflichtet. The initiative is evolving from a sustainability code of conduct into a platform for guidance, knowledge, and exchange within the events industry. In the future, it aims to connect companies on sustainability issues and advocate for the industry’s collective positions at the policy level.
The focus is thus on sharing experiences and collaboration—there are no plans to evaluate or certify the participating companies.
Messe Augsburg is a member of the KUMAS Environmental Network. This association brings together businesses, academia, policymakers, and government agencies to exchange knowledge and strengthen environmental expertise in Bavaria. Among other things, KUMAS supports projects in the areas of environmental protection, nature conservation, and climate protection. For us, the network provides an opportunity to stay in touch with experts from the region and keep abreast of developments in the environmental sector.
Messe Augsburg is a member of the regional initiative A³ klimaneutral. In collaboration with companies from the region, we are working to track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We are currently working on a greenhouse gas inventory based on the GHG Protocol. This inventory is intended to show us where emissions occur within our operations and to serve as a basis for appropriate measures. At the same time, we are preparing a sustainability report in which we aim to transparently present our activities and progress.
Messe Augsburg is a member of the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC). The association represents the interests of event venues and their partners and provides a forum for professional exchange. Among the association’s focus areas is sustainability in the events industry. Through this network, we can learn from the experiences of other event venues and gain insights to help us further develop our operations.
Today, sustainability management is embedded in the Marketing, Communications, and Sustainability Department. There, these issues are coordinated and further developed in collaboration with the relevant functional departments.
Our cross-departmental working group has been in place since 2021 and remains an important part of this effort. It brings together experience from trade show operations, evaluates proposals for feasibility, and oversees their implementation. Among other things, our purchasing guidelines and the sustainability guide for employees have emerged from this working group. The transition to LED lighting and the use of consumables were also topics addressed by the group.
When procuring goods and services, we take into account not only quality and cost but also environmental and social criteria. Our purchasing guidelines provide guidance in this regard. Which criteria may be considered in each specific case depends on the product or contract in question.
Among other things, we prioritize short transport distances, reusable materials, and opportunities to reduce waste. For products and work equipment, we review the available information on ingredients and recyclability. When working with service providers, we also place great importance on working conditions, occupational safety, and fair treatment.
About Messe Augsburg: Facts and figures, information about the location and the region and interesting info.
Electromobility plays an important role in our environmental protection and sustainability measures.
Messe Augsburg is active in various networks and associations both in and outside Augsburg.
