The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) has officially launched their Sustainability Champions initiative.

UKREiiF have brought in a mandatory Sustainability Pledge, in which all exhibitors and pavilion partners have to sign. Mandatory pointers that partners have to stick to include:

  • Promote good environmental practice and sustainability
  • Ensure your stand/pavilion set-up equipment is reusable where applicable
  • No single-use plastic water bottles on exhibitor or pavilion stand, outlets, and/or hosted events
  • Exhibitors/Pavilions to nominate a sustainability manager to oversee waste management and recycling at the show
  • Exhibitors/Pavilions to only offer sustainable and recyclable promotional giveaways
  • Exhibitors/Pavilions to use compostable, recyclable, or reusable plates, cups, or cutlery/straws on their stand
  • For all guest passes and tickets to your stand events/receptions or related activities, use E-Tickets or QR Codes
  • Reduce use of single-use plastic for all show-related preparation and operations
  • Reduce paper usage and printed materials at the show, opt for QR Codes instead

In addition to the mandatory agreement, partners and exhibitors are offered the opportunity to become Sustainability Champions of UKREiiF. To be eligible, partners and exhibitors can provide proof of at least 3 of the following ‘optional’ pointers, relevant to exhibitors and pavilion partners respectively, in order to earn themselves the Sustainability Champions of UKREiiF badge:

  • Use public transport or car share (where viable) to get to the show
  • Spread the word – encourage environmentally responsible behaviour by your staff, contractors and customers at UKREiiF
  • Organise or support local sustainability initiatives in your area
  • Offset your hotel accommodation and travel for the duration of the show
  • For space only exhibitors, use sustainable and healthy construction materials such as FSC certified lumber, low VOC pain and glue
  • For pavilion partners: make your catering greener – source local food options, cut down on food waste, go vegan or meat free
  • For pavilion partners: work with suppliers close to the event in Leeds to reduce on transport emissions
  • For pavilion partners: embrace digital by reducing the need for printed flyers, brochures and session schedules. Use Apps of QR Codes
  • For pavilion partners: Use energy efficient lighting and equipment within your pavilion
  • Any other action that may fall into this category

UKREiiF Event Manager, Fahmida Nisa, said: “As event organisers we are conscious of the environmental impact an event the size of UKREiiF can have. This is why we strive to deliver our event as sustainably and environmentally friendly as possible. Engaging our partners and contractors in this journey is one of the key steps on this holistic approach to sustainable event management. As well as using our event as a platform for change, we aim to bring awareness on how everyone can get involved and make minimal changes in their operation for positive impact.”

You can find out more by contacting [email protected] and/or [email protected] before 28th March 2024.