Insight: Issue 150 | Wed 23 August

Feeling Newsy?

On the hunt for some weekly events intrigue? Close Google maps and scrunch up the Ordinance Survey. The search ends here.

This weeks remarkable discoveries: IMEX launches Net Zero Strategy for 2030 target; Understand why forming a sustainable baseline is crucial to greener events; CloserStill to acquire UKI Media & Events; Inflatables as a sustainable event decoration; and are these gigantic Man City tour bus holograms for real?

IMEX launches Net Zero Strategy for 2030 target

IMEX Group is forging on towards Net-Zero glory by unveiling its Net Zero Strategy roadmap – its sights set firmly on 2030. Aligned with Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE), the group’s plan of action reinforces its vision of a progressive global events industry. An early pledger to the Net Zero Carbon Events cause, IMEX is committing to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions in producing IMEX Frankfurt and America shows.

Collabing across the supply chain is pivotal, involving exhibitors and suppliers to bump up the use of sustainable materials. Decade long partners in all things eco-eventing, agency MeetGreen are measuring, assessing and reporting back on the shows’ sustainability achievements. That’s not all – IMEX are expanding their emission tracking via an isla partnership, reporting travel emissions through the pioneering TRACE platform.

IMEX’s CEO Carina Bauer says: “Our ethos is always to share what we learn and never more so than now, and we’ll be using our ongoing reports to disclose progress. Our roadmap isn’t just about IMEX achieving net zero, but encouraging and leading others to do the same.”

Understand why forming a sustainable baseline is crucial to greener events

It goes without saying – right now, sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips. As an industry that’s had long and complicated relationship with disposability, we’re little by little making our way towards eco-friendliness. The good news is, we seem to be fully on board with sharing best practices and going that bit further to make sure events are as green as they can be.

But here’s the rub. We’re lacking an industry benchmark.

Luckily, Louisa Daley from ConferenceNews has interviewed some top industry figures, and they’ve given their two cents on the envisioned ideal standard, stakeholders, and potential hurdles.

Here’s some key takes from the convo.

Warren Campbell (GM at 15Hatfields) says, “I wholeheartedly believe that there should be an industry standard,”

Kate Kieran (TRACE Customer Success Manager) agrees, “A standardisation is something that will be very helpful when meeting sustainable goals,”

However, it might not be as easy as we think.

Everyone is on “a different sustainability journey” and “at different stages,” Christianne Beck (Founder of Worlds Better) points out. “We need to be open and flexible with people’s current measuring capabilities,” Kieran says. This makes the possibility of creating a standard, a “slow and difficult process,” adds Beck.

Hop on over to ConferenceNews to hear what these folks have to say on harnessing sustainability data, crucial government support and the small steps we can take on our journey towards eco-friendly vibes.

CloserStill to acquire UKI Media & Events

CloserStill Media looks to be snapping up UKI Media & Events, a monumental step in forming CloserStill’s Future Transport and Infrastructure Group and bolstering their global presence. A 30-year strong company, the Tony Robinson (we know what you’re thinking – it isn’t Baldrick) helmed UKI operates specialised events across the automotive, aerospace, marine, transport and infrastructure sectors. Head honcho Robinson remains CEO until 2023, becoming Chairman in 2024.

Robinson comments, “CloserStill’s proven track record of high growth, coupled with their thoughtful commitment to quality and innovation, makes them the ideal custodians for our event and media brands and our exceptional team. I have full confidence in CloserStill’s ability to take UKI Media & Event’s achievements to new heights as they embark on this exciting new focus on future transport and infrastructure sectors.”

Inflatables as a sustainable event decoration

The world of inflatables is blowing up. (No pun intended)

As consumers become more demanding, events and festivals are looking to visually wow for some big, bold, lasting impact, while keeping it sustainable. Balancing these two things are in no doubt a challenge, as it requires nifty, state of the art solutions with a limited eco-footprint. Sounds simple enough, right…

Event designers and stage builders are on the hunt for a fitting replacement to the big three – polystyrene, foam and wood. These traditional materials are high in consumption and often lead to a high amount of wastage – so along with the challenge of logistics of transportation its time we found an alternative.

That’s where inflatables come in.

Since ’94, Belgium’s blow-up maestros X-Treme Creations have excelled in custom inflatables for festivals and events. Evolving tech, materials, and creativity define their journey, serving global stages such as the mammoth Tomorrowland Festival. Their reasoning is threefold.

FOOTPRINT

Air, abundant and free, forms the core of inflatables. Minimal material – thin textile, internal structure – creates impactful festival pieces. X-Treme favours eco-friendly polyester and low-power fans.

LOGISTICAL ADVANTAGE

In terms of logistics, inflatables excel. Deflated, they fit anywhere. Ideal for global transport or storage.

FLEXIBLE RE-USE

Festivals thrive on wacky stage designs. Inflatable objects seamlessly blend, exemplified by Romania’s Untold Festival – shifting giant wolf inflatables across multiple stages.

Isn’t that just breathtaking?

Are these gigantic Man City tour bus holograms for real?

Man City magic hits Tokyo….

A video of the English prem team’s Tokyo arrival, which sees them making their way through the Japanese capital in playing card-topped tour busses, has got people guessing. Pep and the Man City squad claim the spectacle to be holograms, sparking debates around their authenticity and potential AR.

If they’re real, it could be gauze-projected by roof-mounted, high-brightness short-throw projectors, but issues around secure mounting and mobility have raised sceptic eyebrows. The Twitter video garnered 10M views in just a few days, while the TikTok post received half a million likes.

Check it out and make up your mind.

Over and out.

We’ll see you next week for s’more.