Expo! Expo! achieves Gold Level for environmental and social responsibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. (05 February 2026) – The Events Industry Council announced today that Expo! Expo! 2025 has achieved Gold Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. Expo! Expo! previously achieved Silver Level Certification for its 2024 and 2023 events and Bronze Level Certification for its 2022 event.
“Achieving Gold Level Certification reflects IAEE’s long-term commitment to continuous improvement and to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our event strategy,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM. “This milestone represents years of intentional progress and disciplined execution, guided by the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. As the exhibitions and events industry continues to evolve, we believe responsible, transparent practices are essential to delivering value for our members, partners and the broader community.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices.
The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organisational management; marketing; communications and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards. The event organiser standard is one of several comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable events.
EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert congratulated Expo! Expo! on its accomplishment. “IAEE’s achievement reflects the power of sustained commitment to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards,” said Amy Calvert, president and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “Their continued progress over multiple years demonstrates how organizations can use the standards to drive meaningful environmental and social impact while delivering high-quality, impactful events.”
The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organisation, performed the independent third-party certification of the event’s compliance with the Event Organiser standard.
“IAEE’s achievement is a testament to its commitment and leadership in advancing sustainable event practices,” said Richard Murphy, CEO, president and managing director, Alliance for Audited Media. “We applaud their efforts and look forward to seeing their continued progress.”
Contact:
For all EIC media enquiries, additional comment and request for interviews, please contact Steve Dobbins, Events Industry Council
Tel: +1 323 578 2671 / Email: media@eventscouncil.org
ABOUT EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL
The Events Industry Council’s global federation includes 33 Association Members representing 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities, and more than 30 Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world.
EIC is the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme and signature programme activities. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. Learn more at www.eventscouncil.org.
ABOUT IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Convention News Television (CNTV), eShow, Freeman, GES | onPeak, IMEX, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Risk Strategies Company | Buttine Insurance, Snöball and Swapcard. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA
As the largest not-for-profit media assurance organization, the Alliance for Audited Media delivers impartial, credible data to help media buyers buy and sellers sell. AAM works alongside the media and advertising industry to establish standards that can be verified independently, ensuring the legitimacy of the businesses that drive media's progress. AAM also provides verification for compliance programs including brand safety, privacy, sustainability and tech assurance. Learn more at auditedmedia.com.