A unified approach to NZ’s MEETINGS 2023 yields carbon zero certification

MEETINGS 2023, New Zealand’s largest trade show for the business events sector, has been awarded the country’s Toitū net carbon zero certification.

BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins, said: “Our 220 exhibitors, 500 buyers and our venue, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, our partners and suppliers, and host city Wellington all played vital roles, not only through their sustainable practices, but also in supporting the local community.”

As the official association for the industry, BEIA is committed to the long-term measurement, management and reduction of greenhouse gases for this flagship event.

“Toitū event certification now gives us the platform to work towards continual reduction of carbon emissions for MEETINGS and future improvements year-on-year,” Hopkins said.

Collaborating with Toitū, BEIA developed a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan for MEETINGS 2023 which was held in Wellington for three days in June. It included the following:

· Offsetting all hosted buyers and event staff’s air travel using Air New Zealand’s FlyNeutral programme

· Encouraging exhibitors and day buyers to offset travel and freight emissions

· Encouraging attendees to bring their own reusable bags and water bottles,

· Reducing printed material

· Using digital assets by exhibitors and media partners

· Reducing F&B waste

· Encouraging walking to venue

· Replacing hosted buyer gifts with donations to local charities - Kaibosh Food Rescue, Gillies McIndoe Research, and Wellington Zoo.

· Using sustainable packaging

· Reducing waste from one-time items

· Creating re-usable generic and digital signage options

· Giving away eco-friendly and biodegradable gifts

· Arranging for plants that were used on stands to be donated or re-planted.

Tobias Tripp, spokesperson at Toitū Envirocare said: “Through rigorous measurement tools and impartial third-party validation, it allows BEIA not only to understand MEETINGS' environmental impact, but also to take decisive, confident action to mitigate carbon emissions. Toitū ensures environmental claims are made with assurance and integrity, and distinguishes MEETINGS as an exemplar of sustainability.”

The Toitū carbon programme is internationally recognised and certified under the ISO 14064 standard (organisation) and ISO 14067 standard (product) by the JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System for Australia and New Zealand).