IAAPA Expo Sustainability Initiatives

IAAPA is committed to sustainable operations at our Expos to minimize impacts on the environment and work with contractors and venues that promote sustainability. New this year is the Oscar Zero-Waste Platform from Intuitive AI. Designed to help eliminate the burning, dumping, landfilling, littering, and polluting of materials across land, sea and space, Oscar Sort is the world’s first AI-powered recycling kiosk, enhancing recycling accuracy up to 95%. Simply show your trash to Oscar and it will seamlessly guide you to the correct disposal bin.

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IAAPA Sustainable Initiatives

• Session handouts are only available electronically.
• Sessions surveys are administered digitally.
• Stories from the trade show floor are now produced real-time in a video format and shared on social media, reducing the need for paper and resulting in 0% carbon emissions by eliminating the need for trucks to deliver printed materials.
• Exhibitor material is distributed electronically.
• Badges designed so no additional badge holder is required and tickets are tied to the badge instead of printed.
• Lanyards collected at the end of the Expo are reused at future events.
• Using digital signage to replace some paper-based signage.
• IAAPA partners with Give Kids the World to collect leftover exhibitor products such as plush, games, t-shirts, supplies, and more.
• IAAPA show bags are reusable.
• New for 2024! IAAPA is partnering with O-Town Compost. Through this partnership, IAAPA and O-Town Compost aim at both reducing the amount of food waste going to Central Florida landfills and making compost to support the local food system.

Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge

IAAPA Expo Exhibitors are invited to join IAAPA's sustainability efforts by taking the Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. By doing so, companies agree to a minimum of 5 sustainable activities during the Expo. Companies who have taken the pledge will have the IAAPA Sustainability Logo on their booth sticker(s).

Please click here to see the list of exhibitors who have taken the Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge for IAAPA Expo 2024.

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Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) Sustainable Initiatives

• One of the largest LEED Gold certified convention centers in North America.
• First convention center in the United States to have its Environmental Management System ISO 14001 certified and the third to receive the APEX/ASTM certification.
• Recycling collection bins in all meeting and event areas. It’s collection are mixed paper, and co-mingled recycling aluminum, plastic, and glass. Bins are made from recycled milk jugs formed using solar energy at a facility a few miles from the Center.
• Vegetables are grown in their Center-to-Table Gardens to provide attendees the freshest, chemical-free food available.
• The largest municipal rooftop solar array in the Southeast United States generating more than 1.5 million GWh every year (approximately 100 Florida homes worth of electricity for a year).
• Operate five different solar array programs on the OCCC campus which are used for research and client events.
• Developed a comprehensive plan that integrates national lighting, storm water management, green spaces, and walkability into every client event.
• Unused food not considered waste is donated to local organizations in the community such as Second Harvest of Central Florida. Collected food waste is sent to Harvest Power of Orlando, to be converted into electricity and fertilizer for local farms.

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General Services Contractor (GES) Sustainable Initiatives

• Infographic
• Encourage exhibitors to use exhibit rental packages, ECO Exhibit Systems+, with custom graphics printed on environmentally friendly and sustainable fabric consisting of up to 100% recycled post-consumer products. •
• 80%+ of all carpeting and padding used at an event returns to the production facility to be cleaned, re-seamed and reused as many times as possible before being donated.
• Dark colored speckled booth and aisle carpet is recommended for use due to ease of maintenance and cleaning increasing the product life cycle. Carpet and padding are used multiple times, cleaned and stored locally. Carpet with recycled content is also available as an option.
• Fabric drape is cleaned and repaired on a regular basis to maximize number of use.
• Partnered with the industry leader in event furnishings to provide sustainable, reusable furniture.
• Digital platforms optimize ordering process and service delivery as well as reduce paper consumption during the design, planning and execution.
• Reusable, modular systems for show and booth structures, lowering carbon emissions from the production and manufacturing process of new materials.
• Content banners and graphics printed on 100% reusable post-consumer recycled material as well as single-use recyclable paper are available upon request.
• Recommend a more generic content on graphics to increase the opportunity for use year-over-year. • Reduce transportation-based emissions for graphics to show site by partnering with a network of local sign shops to print within the host destination rather than shipping long distance to regional show sites.
• Registration counters are reused as many times as possible.
• Post and enforce “No Engine Idling” policy in the warehouse and on show site.
• Utilize transportation software to increase the efficiency of our fleet and track GES carbon emissions within a destination or region.
• When goods are shipped long-distance and partners with EPA SmartWay certified partners including Mayflower, RJW, and FedEx Freight to minimize emissions.
• Recycle programs at both warehouse and show site based on facility capabilities for cardboard, paper and aluminum.
• Remote work locations for employees and local team members to reduce travel carbon footprint.
• Printer inks with VOCs (volatile organize compounds) are not used.
• Utilize Energy Star electric equipment and power down at night, whenever possible.
• Source material and labor locally when possible.
• Heavy equipment fueled by electric or propane, unless directed by the facility.
• First official services provider to achieve certification under the EIC Sustainable Event Standards at GES Headquarters.

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Sodexo Live! (catering) Sustainable Initiatives

• 2,000 sqf Center-to-Table Gardens in the West Concourse Westwood Lobby producing year round edible produce in a climate-controlled, all natural, and chemical-free environment. Aeroponic growling utilizes 95% less water compared to conventional organic farming and uses 90% less land space while growing plants three times faster than it takes in the ground. Produce grown is used in dining experiences at the OCCC.
• Additional products are sourced from vendors that employ local residents, purchase local ingredients, and incorporate sustainable initiatives into their daily operation.
• Organic recycling of food scraps generated during preparation, execution, and breakdown of food service events. Organic waster is taken to Heart of Florida Environmental, a composting facility converting it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
• Centerplate offers full china service or appropriate compostable and recyclable serviceware for all food and beverage events in the OCCC.
• Centerplate works directly with a variety of local Central Florida-based organizations to help fulfill the needs of those seeking assistance by donating viable food and beverage products.

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Intuitive AI Oscar Sort

IAAPA Expo has partnered with Intuitive AI to sponsor and provide Oscar Sort, an AI Recycling Assistant retrofittable to any bin and recycling regulation. These Smart Recycling Assistants are centralized zero-touch zero-waste stations that gamify recycling and boost diversion.

Interact with Oscar Sort during IAAPA Expo and learn more at www.intuitiveai.ca.

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PRG AV Sustainable Initiatives

• Extensive inventory of efficient LED automated and conventional lights.
• Reducing cycle test times on equipment to lower electrical consumption.
• Proprietary luminaires like Best Boy(R) and Bad Boy(R) offer high-output and lower power consumption.
• PRG's Orlando location mean less air and truck transportation.
• Repurposing its proprietary luminaries with energy-efficient LED light engines.
• Extensive recycling policy including general waste, used equipment, scrap metal from lighting, audio, video and scenic operations, bulbs and expendable items containing potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Components include proprietary green products including BAT Truss (compact, lightweight), Series 400 (singular cable/networking for data and power), and Best Boy (high output, low power consumption).