Social Responsibility

At Marriott Marquis Houston, they believe in gathering responsibly as a cornerstone of Marriott Bonvoy Events™. Their Meetings and Events are designed to drive positive, sustainable change and help us achieve our sustainability goals. They’re committed to supporting us on our sustainability journey by using responsibly sourced ingredients, reducing single-use items with innovative products like soap slips, and tackling food waste in partnership with Second Servings. Their sustainable practices empower event planners and attendees to meet their sustainability objectives and contribute to nature. Discover more about their efforts by watching our Sustainability Video.

The George R Brown Convention Center (GRB), is committed to sustainability. They’ve been implementing solutions to reduce their carbon footprint since 1998 and are continually developing partnerships that advance their mission of reducing their environmental impact and improving their green operations. Whether it’s food banks, nearby schools, community organizations, or arts groups, they engage in partnerships with local organizations that help them by reduce, reuse, or recycle leftover materials from events.

In 2022, the GRB achieved LEED Gold during their recertification bid, having previously earned LEED Silver in 2011 and 2017. This globally-recognized distinction showcases their commitment to healthy, responsible, and community-minded operations. To learn more about their green initiatives, download their brochure.

One of the Core Values at Grit Productions & Expositions is “Commitment to Our Clients, Ourselves, and Our Industry.”  Short-term and long-term environmental sustainability is part and parcel to this pledge. They know large-scale events are major environmental contributors including waste of single-use materials and significant energy consumption. As IAEE’s official services contractor and production partner, they will be implementing their sustainability practices as they do with all Grit clients. A few of these include the following:

• Use of their pre-built LED panels in place of foam core directional signage
• Recycling all carpet
• Designing parts of the floor without carpet while giving a finished appearance with clings or gobos
• Encouraging rental systems to build out booths and event environments versus custom structures which require more trucking and storage
• As both a production and expo company, they strategically combine trucking of all gear to limit movements and carbon footprint
• Proposing experiential activations that foster connection, but limit giveaways on the show floor

Their tagline, #EventsTakeGrit, speaks to various marketing messages. In this instance, it’s about the collective commitment to the existence, vitality, and future of the events industry.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) values diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. IAEE provides opportunities to all persons who wish to participate in the activities of the association without regard, including but not limited to age, color, disability, family responsibility, gender, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or sexual orientation.

IAEE’s Board of Directors recognizes their responsibility to provide resources and support to achieve this goal. IAEE seeks individuals and groups that are under-represented within the membership and the leadership of the association.

IAEE encourages its members and the exhibitions and events industry to maintain these objectives in the conduct of their own business by creating an environment that allows all people the opportunity to reach their full potential in the pursuit of corporate objectives.

Further, the IAEE Board of Directors supports IAEE events being held in destinations that value diversity, equity, and inclusion and may choose whether to hold events in destinations where any country, state or local government arm, including a legislature, board or agency in the jurisdiction of the destination, having enacted legislation or regulation that has the effect of:

• Repealing existing legal protections or prohibiting the passage of legal protections for subject individuals
• Allowing discrimination against subject individuals in employment, housing, or public accommodations or services; or
• Prohibiting subject individuals from accessing facilities (including, but not limited to, restrooms), where subject individuals are those identified in the legislation or regulation based on the aforementioned individuals.