Putting sustainability first

We remain committed to minimizing our event’s carbon footprint. Each year, we continue to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible through energy

efficiency, waste reduction, smart travel and procurement choices.

Over the past five years, we've focused on:

• Moving to 100% renewable electricity
• Reducing local transport emissions for visitors
• Choosing procurement options with lower carbon footprint
• Reducing logistics and materials emissions through projects such as carpet elimination in favor of investing in decorative plants which are then donated to the city of Las Vegas
• Working with exhibitors to eliminate single use exhibition booths
• Offsetting the carbon footprint of our staff travel and hotels with high quality, third party certified carbon offsets
• Ensuring the show provides the highest possible return on investment for visitors and
  exhibitors so they make the most of their travel to the show

We continue in the pursuit to be certified carbon neutral, and are focused on finding robust ways to partner with our attendees to help them compensate for the carbon emissions from their travel.

• Fi North America is powered by 100% renewable electricity making the electricity use carbon neutral.
• We use an established global process to pay a premium to renewable electricity producers. These Energy Attribution Certificates (EACs) allow us to match our electricity usage with the required amount of green energy. This creates additional incentives for generators to invest in renewable power. We are still trying to use less electricity overall for our events, but this process ensures it’s as sustainable as possible.
• The energy efficiency at Fi North America and SupplySide West has been increased through initiatives such as shutting off hall lighting and booth power overnight and using technology so that escalators power down when not in use.
• Mandalay Bay provides energy efficient lighting within the expo halls.

Attendees can stay healthy and hydrated by using their re-usable water bottles at sustainable water stations throughout the expo hall. By taking part, you are helping to reduce the carbon and waste generated by single-use water bottles. It’s estimated that 8-9 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year –the equivalent of one garbage truck of material every minute. Thank you for choosing to re-use in an effort to keep our oceans plastic-free.

• Aisle Carpet has been removed from the expo halls. In 2022 we saved 393,831 sq. ft of carpet, padding, and visqueen.
• Designated cardboard drop-off areas are placed throughout the show floor to increase recycling efforts.
• Recycle & Landfill bins are placed throughout the event.
  
• Fi North America and SupplySide West partners with Terracycle to repurpose show lanyards and badges into new products!
• Mandalay Bay sorts all trash prior to pickup to maximize waste diverted from landfill.
• Falcon Board (cardboard based material) is used for printed show signs.
• Digital Kiosks are used and help reduce printed advertising.
• Fi North America and SupplySide West collaborates with general service contractor to re-use structures and signage for future events.
• The Better Stands program is aimed to unite and encourage exhibitors, along with their appointed contractors, to move away from disposable, single-use stands at events, in favor of reusable or recyclable structures. Single-use stands are typically sent to a landfill post-event. Instead of this, we encourage our exhibitors to partner with our General Service Contractor, GES, or their Exhibitor Appointed Contractor to produce a beautiful stand that can be reused for many trade shows.
• Zero-Waste Menu, in partnership with NSF, one of the GMP Training lunches will be a zero-waste meal, meaning it will leave no waste behind, including ingredients and packaging

• Show Directories and other materials are printed on recycled paper
• The printed Show Directory has been redesigned to maximize efficiency of paper usage, and there is increased promotion towards downloading a digital version and utilizing the event’s mobile app.
• Exhibitors and sponsors are encouraged to share information digitally rather than through printed materials.
• Lanyards are made from PET recycled materials (plastic bottles and other plastic packaging)
• Mandalay Bay has discontinued the 7oz plastic cups & only uses plain, compostable white cups for all water stations. Additionally, they use all Leafware products which are 100% compostable. A variety of vegan and vegetarian options are offered during food and beverage functions.
  
• For the 2nd year, we are partnering with the City of Las Vegas Tree Initiative along with our local vendor- National Plant & Floral to help offset the urban heat island effect in the city. All trees used at the show will be donated and replanted to help protect residents from the Southern Nevada heat. The city's initiative is to plant 60,000 trees over the next 3 decades to help provide shade in the residential areas and bring down temperatures!

• Fi North America and SupplySide West partners with Naturally Network to invite and host participants in the Minority Owned (M/O) Fellowship, a 12-week program built to support and advocate for racially and ethnically underrepresented, early-stage founders in the natural and organic Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. Fi North America and SupplySide provides a complimentary booth and booth build out for Naturally Network, and complimentary passes, air travel, and hotel accommodations for 15 participants in the M/O Fellowship.
• Mother’s Rooms are accessible and available throughout the event for nursing parents.
• Fi North America and SupplySide JEDI Advisory Council was carefully composed with clear direction for impacting our content: to assure consideration and an expanded working viewpoint on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the work we produce for our industry.
• The Fi North America and SupplySide West educational program features diverse speakers in terms of ethnicity, role in the industry, age, industry experience and background. The one thing they all have in common is the goal to create, develop and source healthy, sustainable products to U.S. consumers.
  
• Fi North America and SupplySide West partners with Black Women in Food, providing complimentary passes, air travel and hotel accommodations for 3 participants. The Black Women in Food Initiative identifies, amplifies, and supports Black women in the Food and Beverage Industry to advance their work and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable food system.

• Fi North America and SupplySide West works with local vendors to help support the local community.
• Wellness Yoga is offered each morning of the event before the expo hall opens.
• Fi North America and SupplySide West exhibitors donate leftover booth material to Las Vegas Habitat for Humanity.

For the 2nd year, Fi North America co-located and SupplySide West are partnering with the City of Las Vegas Tree Initiative along with our local vendor- National Plant & Floral to help offset the urban heat island effect in the city. All trees used at the show will be donated and replanted to help protect residents from the Southern Nevada heat. The city's initiative is to plant 60,000 trees over the next 3 decades to help provide shade in the residential areas and bring down temperatures!

Reduce your carbon footprint by making use of the public transport to and from the event. 

• Reduce your paper output by switching to digital alternatives
• If you do need to print or have promotional materials produced, make sure they are made from eco-friendly sources

• Do some light exercise or meditation, or join us for Wellness Yoga.
• Walking a trade show floor can be tiring, so make sure you rest your feet and your brain regularly by taking breaks throughout the day.

Staying hydrated and having a healthy snack will improve your ability to get the most out of the event. Consider eating a healthy meat-free lunch as well; it’s good for you and for the planet.

• Download the mobile app to navigate the show and connect with other attendees rather than exchanging business cards.
• Download the Show Directory: Fewer Show Directories are being printed and distributed onsite, so consider downloading the digital version instead.
• Reduce the brightness of your screen and remember to hibernate your computer when not in use to help reduce your energy usage.

When talking to exhibiting companies remember to ask them about the sustainability credentials of their business and their products.

Don’t throw your lanyards and badges in the trash! Place them in one of the recycling bins at the end of the show.

•  Ensure your booth is designed so its structure is able to be re-used year over year by either yourself or your contractors. Request sustainable options from GES and view our Sustainability and Better Stands for tips.
• Create reusable, non-dated signs that can be used year after year o Avoid foam core signs and request recyclable materials such as cardboard signage
• Select energy efficient, LED lighting and other equipment for your booth and be sure to power down your equipment at the end of the day.
• BYOF! – Avoid carpet and bring your own flooring, like puzzle foam flooring that can be reused at your shows.
• Order sustainable food and drinks for your booth. Consider catering options that include healthy choices, leans proteins and in-season, locally sourced ingredients.
• Reduce waste from food & beverage service by minimizing single-use plastics. Opt for re-usable service-ware, bulk condiments, amenities and beverage dispensers.
• Provide booth literature digitally rather than having printed items
• If you need to print, print responsibly by sourcing recycled or sustainably certified FSC paper and displaying the logo on your materials to inform customers.
• Support the neighboring community and economy by using local suppliers and small businesses.
• When purchasing promotional items:
  • Consider the amount you order
  • The environmental impact of the materials they are made from
  • Whether they are useful giveaways that will be used long after the event is over
• Consolidate your shipments and use logistic companies that have sustainability credentials, like SmartWay.
• For your travel and transport, choose the most sustainable option possible for your journey to and from the event

• Use public transportation, such as the Las Vegas Monorail, or walk while in Las Vegas.
• If you have carpet, protect it with non-reinforced visqueen.
• Bring and use a refillable water bottle and coffee cup throughout the conference.
• Break down your cardboard boxes and place them in one of the recycling stations located on the show floor.

• Donate your leftover booth materials to Habitat for Humanity by completing the donation form found at the Exhibitor Service Desk at the show.
• Don’t throw your lanyards and badges in the trash! Place them in one of the recycling bins at the end of the show.
• Share your learnings and sustainability efforts with us on socia