Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/76788
C READERS' CHOICE MOST INNOVATIVE GREEN INITIATIVES BY A SERVICE CONTRACTOR I O VIRIDISTOR LLC SERVICE CONTRACTOR: WEBSITE: www.viridistor.com UBM LIVE ORGANIZATION: WEBSITE: www.ubmlive.com WHY SHOW MANAGEMENT IS INNOVATIVE: UBM Live looked to the gold standard of interna- tional certification to develop a company-wide sustainability program for its events that could be considered to be air tight. Rather than developing an ad hoc green program for its portfolio of events, the company made a decision to take a page from venue managers and commit to obtaining interna- tional certification of its events similar to the now-familiar LEED certification applied to the greenest buildings. UBM's events have already been designed to meet the requirements for Great Britan's BS 8901 certification two years ago and expects to transition by the end of the year to the next- generation ISO 20121 standards, which apply worldwide. As is the case with LEED, the BS 8901 and ISO 20112 standards are considered the accepted best practices for event management and leave no stone unturned when it comes to reducing the environmental footprint of trade shows of any size. While certification involves a high level of paperwork and planning, it takes the guesswork out of the process and ensures that UBM Live shows can be marketed as the green- est of the green. VOTE FOR COMPANY ID: GI-SM-UBM SERVICE CONTRACTOR: GLOBAL EXPERIENCE SPECIALISTS (GES) WEBSITE: www.ges.com WHY YOUR ORGANIZATION IS INNOVATIVE: GES works hand-in-hand with show organizers and exhibitors to provide the best sustainable solution. Eco-friendly products are offered such as carpet that is 100% recyclable with visqueen that is 100% recyclable and made from 50% recycled content; graphic substrates that are made from recycled content and 100% recyclable; table top covers that are 100% recyclable; and booth structures that have flexibility, items that are repurposed and are cost efficient. GES aims to have a future with zero waste by continuously encouraging the redesign of products, changing individual's views on their lifestyle and making decisions based on the sustainable life cycle. GES recognizes the importance of providing greener solutions to make their clients' shows look terrific, but also be cost effective. GES stays on the cutting edge as it relates to new sustainable products, technology, equipment and transportation. Lastly, GES continues to expand on relationships with facilities, vendors and business partners to not only help educate them on the sustainability path GES is leading, but ensure steps are taken to achieve the end result of zero waste. VOTE FOR COMPANY ID: GI-SC-GES WHY YOUR ORGANIZATION IS INNOVATIVE: The ViridiSTOR Solution is the only sustain- able and fiscally sound solution allowing event organizers to replace paper-based materials at trade shows and conferences, greatly reducing the environmental impact and financial costs of events. Our solution replaces paper with digital information, including video that is accessed with the Presenter application (runs on PC and Mac). Studies show that 80% of paper materials collected at trade shows are discarded before they leave the hotel or airport. The trade show/ convention/meeting industry carries a signifi- cant negative environmental impact, due mostly to the amount of paper that is created, shipped repeatedly, and ultimately discarded. The EPA sites the paper industry in the top three air polluters in North America. In this digital, post- paper world, the elimination of paper pollution at events is inevitable. And only with our solution can that savings be actually verified. Only the ViridiSTOR solution provides a complete system to deliver the marketing/ sales information in an ultimately more useful and powerful manner, while reducing costs, AND creating an unquestionable "sustainable state- ment" for events. The recent CEIR on young professionals study summed it up:"…booths that embrace sus- tainable features such as digital-only handouts… appeal to this demographic." ViridiSTOR: the sustainable solution to event paper pollution. VOTE FOR COMPANY ID: GI-SC-VRIDI www.TradeShowExecutive.com | July 2012 55 R A E D R E ' S C E H