Sustainability is high on our agenda. Our ambition is to be the most sustainable organiser and facilitator of trade fairs and events in Europe by 2030. Every day, we therefore take decisions that make an impact. Think for example of a sustainable hospitality policy, driving and accelerating sustainability in the markets in which we operate and improving diversity and inclusion. Jaarbeurs was also a finalist in the international UFI Sustainable Development Award in 2024.
UFI Sustainable Development Award
With the theme 'Best example of sustainability integration into business proposals', Jaarbeurs presented a case on how sustainability is integrated at VSK, the trade fair for the installation sector. Sustainability was the theme at the fair. There was a sustainability route of exhibitors with sustainable products or services, awards were presented for the best circular and sustainable initiatives and visitors could choose from over 130 sessions on a topic related to sustainability. A first was the Sustainability Pledge. With this, Jaarbeurs and exhibitors promise to participate more sustainably in the fair. For example, exhibitors can take initiative in reusing stand building materials, choose more sustainable transport and focus on improving diversity and inclusion. With this variety of initiatives at the fair, Jaarbeurs became a finalist for the Sustainable Development Award 2024 from UFI, the global association of event venues and organisers.
Contributing to a better future
For every conference, event, trade fair or meeting, Jaarbeurs donates a tree to Trees for All. All over the world, Trees for All has forest planting projects for a better climate, more biodiversity and healthy living conditions. This year, over 3,000 donated trees from Jaarbeurs were planted in the jubilee forest in Brabant in honour of Trees for All's 25th anniversary.
Since 2018, Jaarbeurs has been a partner of the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology. When purchasing tickets for consumer fairs, we offer visitors the opportunity to make a donation. We also organise various fundraising events, such as the Prize Festival during the Vakantiebeurs and donate all deposit money to the Utrecht hospital and research centre.
Great initiatives are also emerging at guest events. During Momentus Illuminate Conference, instead of a pen and notebook, visitors received five tokens with a donation attached. They could distribute the tokens among three partners of Jaarbeurs: Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, JINC and Academy Spelderholt. The amount previously spent on merchandise was now donated. Less stuff and supporting a good cause: a win-win situation!
We seek a second life for old materials. Last year, for instance, the Beatrix Theatre was renovated and all seats in the auditorium were replaced. More than 350 of these chairs were still in good condition and we donated them to the Beatrix Theatre in Moengo in Suriname.
Sustainable initiatives at events
During our trade shows Logistica Next and ICT&Logistics, the Netherlands' first 100 per cent circular exhibition stand was presented. Exhibitor Sweco, architectural and engineering consultancy, built its circular stand in cooperation with stand construction company Tausch. The design uses reusable and recyclable materials, significantly reducing the footprint of stand. In addition, almost 20 per cent of all exhibitors at Logistica Next took advantage of the sustainable participation packages offered by Jaarbeurs.
Sustainability is also receiving increasing attention at consumer fairs. During MOTORbeurs Utrecht, the Sustainability & Innovation symposium was organised. Importers, industry organisations, electric pioneers and other supporters and opponents of electric motorcycling discussed how to make the motorbike industry more sustainable.
Jaarbeurs in action in Utrecht
We organised the very first diversity week for Jaarbeurs employees. The aim of the week was to gain new experiences and engage in a conversation about diversity and inclusion. Among other things, we were given a tour of Utrecht that told about the queer history of the city, there was a speaker on generational differences and we visited the Utrecht Ulu mosque.
On Sunday 5 October 2024, Jaarbeurs employees ran in the Utrecht Singelloop to raise money for the Helen Dowling Institute. This institute provides psychological help to people with cancer and their loved ones. In total, colleagues raised over 42,000 euros.
An inspiring 2024, with a sustainable 2025 on the horizon
This year too, we are already planning great events where sustainability plays a role. We look forward to joining hands. Let's work together for a sustainable future!
