IAEE Achieves Sustainability Certification from the Events Industry Council for Third Consecutive Year

Expo! Expo! achieves Silver Level for environmental and social responsibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. (6 March 2025) – The Events Industry Council announced today that Expo! Expo! 2024 has achieved Silver Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. Expo! Expo! also achieved Silver Level Certification for its 2023 event and Bronze Level for its 2022 event.

“Earning Silver Level Certification from the EIC for the second consecutive year is a testament to our ongoing dedication to sustainability and responsible event management,” said IAEE President and CEO Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM., who was elected to the EIC Board in 2025. “At IAEE, we believe that sustainable practices are not just a one-time achievement but a continuous journey of improvement. By following the EIC Sustainable Event Standards, we can refine our processes, reduce our environmental impact and set a positive example for the exhibitions and events industry.”

Flanagan also recognized the efforts of IAEE Director of Events and Sustainability Hannah Deters, CEM, CMP for her leadership in advancing the organization’s sustainability initiatives and ensuring continued progress toward these standards.

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 venue 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 continued success in achieving Silver Level Certification underscores its leadership and commitment to integrating sustainable practices into the events industry,” Calvert said. “Expo! Expo! serves as a model for how organisations can prioritize environmental and social responsibility while delivering impactful and engaging events. We congratulate IAEE on this achievement and commend their ongoing efforts to advance sustainability in our industry.”

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 reflects its dedication to continuous improvement in sustainable event management,” 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, Grit Productions and Expositions, 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

The Alliance for Audited Media delivers impartial, credible media data to help media buyers buy and sellers sell. In 2023 AAM merged with BPA Worldwide to become the largest not-for-profit media auditing organization dedicated to increasing trust and assurance across media channels. AAM provides third-party event audits to verify registration, attendance and demographic data, and is an official certifier to the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Sustainable Events Standards (SES) and ISO Management Systems standards. To learn how AAM brings trust and transparency to today’s media ecosystem, visit auditedmedia.com.