Germany’s Leipziger Messe: A Role Model for Best Practices

When it comes to Best Practices, Green Globe Elite Member, award-winning German trade fair company, the Leipziger Messe corporate group, has taken a leadership role in the meeting and event’s industry.  The ‘Growing in Balance’ sustainability campaign and the Green Globe certification are impressive examples.

"Customers, partners and suppliers of the Leipziger Messe, the Congress Center Leipzig, and our subsidiaries, are responding most positively to our green initiatives and our certifications. Our sustainability management has become an important strategic advantage, providing us with the competitive edge," Martin Buhl-Wagner, President and CEO at Leipziger Messe, commented.

With the guiding theme of ‘Balanced Growth’ the company has implemented a transparent and measurable long-term sustainability management system. It is the goal to create a new balance between economic growth and responsibility for the environment and the community.

Best practices cover a broad spectrum and range from waste management to the utilization of fair trade products in the catering department. When fair trade halls are not in use or are retrofitted for the next event, only the energy that is required to maintain the building substance is supplied. The ten entrance gates of the five exhibition halls are equipped with a total of 100 LED external lights. ‘Giving back to nature what humans took away’ is a substantial part of the business philosophy, and the rooftop green space sets a wonderful example. The green roof extends the lifetime of the roof seal, acting as a mechanical barrier to extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and other weather-related effects.

The entire Leipziger Messe corporate group, their associates, and subsidiaries, such as Fair Gourmet, are committed to the philosophy of sustainability and are included in the certification process. Fair Gourmet provides an all-in-one catering concept for conventions, congresses, and trade shows. The catering company focuses on regional products, supporting the local economy; suppliers are typically within a radius of 100 miles. For all products that are not available on the domestic market, the purchasing policy favours fair trade goods.

Since 2011 only fair trade-labelled coffee has been served on the entire convention grounds in Leipzig. After the recent successful certification, their coffee now carries the ‘organic’ seal of quality. The cafeterias at the Congress Center Leipzig serve Fair Gourmet cuisine, and staff members can enjoy fresh, seasonal and healthy food. In addition, Fair Gourmet offers their own product line of soups, spices, steak sauces, chutneys, marmalades, a variety of chocolates, picnic baskets, and their specialty cake in a glass, at a company store for Congress Center Leipzig staff.

As part of their responsibility programs, Leipziger Messe is involved in local, regional, and national initiatives and networks, in support of education, family, social and cultural issues. A special training plan was developed for talented young athletes, which allows them to balance sports and career, while completing their education. Currently, two professional athletes at the Olympic base in Leipzig benefit from this program.

"Being part of the Green Globe program and certification process, allows us to continuously improve our efforts, and strive for the best possible solutions. This objective assessment process is a valuable analysis and indicator that helps us to evaluate and achieve our goals," added Martin Buhl-Wagner.