The Malta stand maximised the use of natural daylight and was planned so most materials can be recycled or reused easily.

MTA wins Green Exhibitor of the Year at IMEX 2008

On the 24th April 2008, in Frankfurt, the Malta Tourism Authority was presented with the Green Exhibitor Award at the IMEX fair. IMEX is one of the leading fairs promoting the MICE sector – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events. This years edition saw Malta’s largest presence at IMEX with more than 30 co-exhibitors from the local trade on the Malta stand.

Amy Spatrisano, President of the Green Meeting Industry Council, paid tribute to the fact that the winning organisation “had gone the extra mile to demonstrate their green credentials where some might have been tempted to fall back on old habits.”

Ms Suzanne Dimech, Segment Head, MICE at the MTA picked up the award. The prize is awarded in recognition of the extensive ‘greening’ of the MTA’s new fair stand. As judge, Amy Spatrisano, explained, “Once people start rethinking their approach to the environment as an exhibitor, they become very energised by it. The Malta stand was a great example of how to use natural daylight and how to plan materials so they can be recycled or reused. They also established a good working relationship with the stand designer, who was equally enthusiastic about the challenge.”

Malta’s success this year is attributed to its use of lightweight, recycled materials and water-based paints in its stand construction together with a much-reduced use of plastics, paper and water. With the help of stand designers, Zaffarese Exhibitions & Events Ltd and German suppliers of modular systems, Octanorm, judges decided that Malta had achieved a high standard of environmentally friendly compliance. They also heard how the new Eco-Certification Scheme recently introduced by the Malta Tourism Authority had inspired the redesigning of the fair stand. This helps the islands many hotels to attract more visitors by demonstrating clear environmental performance measures. Judges also praised Malta for approaching their IMEX stand design with a “creative yet impressively sustainable mindset.”

This award recognises and re-enforces the efforts made by the MTA to promote the safeguarding of the environment and Corporate Social Responsibility.