Client: IMEX Group

Our Role: Event Sustainability Measurement and Reporting ​​​

Service Package: Better Stands Assessments, Supplier Engagement, Measurement, Reporting, On-site Support.​​

Timeline: April-June 2026 ​

Challenge: ​
To deliver an independently verified Better Stands assessment programme for IMEX Frankfurt 2026, helping exhibitors and contractors reduce exhibition waste and carbon emissions while giving delegates visible evidence of progress on the show floor.

Why it works? For this event, GDS-Movement changemakers operated as an extension of IMEX’s team, working within their existing systems and processes. Our sustainability expertise in materials, waste, and circularity, paired with an understanding of the operational realities of a large-scale exhibition, resulted in consistent on-site enforcement and recommendations IMEX could act on for future shows.

Key Actions: ​

• Delivered a structured Better Stands assessment process across 180+ space-only stands from contractor pre-submission through move-in, move-out, and results.
• Engaged exhibitors and contractors at every touchpoint including pre-event communications, on-site assessments, and a right-to-reply process.
• Issued indicative results during the show to celebrate stand reusability and increase awareness amongst delegates.
• Shared final independently verified Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificates for each stand with all contactors and exhibitors.
• Captured in-depth, stand-level data and operational recommendations for future shows. ​

Programme Results: ​

• 69% of stands were deemed reusable
• 8% of stands received Gold certificates

Key Strategic Focus Areas:

• Independent verification and distribution of certificates
• Stakeholder engagement across exhibitors, contractors, and delegates
• Contractor education and engagement on circular build practices
• Data-driven recommendations for continuous, show-on-show programme improvement