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IAEE is committed to four areas of social responsibility: Environmental Sustainability; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Community Relations; and Personal Responsibility.
Read more about how we are embracing initiatives with our show partners to be good stewards of the environment, community and exhibitions and events ecosystem.
Accessibility
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) will select accessible venues for its meetings and events to ensure they are barrier-free and will work with all partners to create barrier-free meeting rooms.
Environmental Sustainability
As an industry, we have an opportunity to improve our efficiency, reputation, legacy and environmental impact through sustainable practices. IAEE proudly partners with the Events Industry Council to raise awareness and promote more sustainable exhibitions and reduce the carbon footprint of our industry.
JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE has earned Silver LEED® and Green Seal™ certifications. The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE uses non-toxic, biodegradable housekeeping products; non-toxic paints with minimal VOCs; energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and fixtures; and water-efficient, drought-resistant landscaping. The hotel has a recycling and composting program with compost collection containers located in all kitchens and in the employee dining room.
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has earned Gold LEED® , The LACC is committed to reducing our environmental impact. They do so through ongoing efforts to save energy and water, recycle, purchase environmentally preferable products and help raise awareness of environmental issues. You can find all of the LACC Green initiatives here.
GES, the official service contractor, aim is to LEAVE A SMALL FOOTPRINT WHILE MAKING A BIG IMPACT. Partnering with GES means that all events are run with sustainability measures top of mind, minimizing the impact on the environment. GES is working diligently with IAEE and industry partners worldwide to put an end to unnecessary waste and to create a legacy of sustainability for the entire events industry.
Education is the key to understanding how to be fully sustainable and it is the mission of GES to educate clients like IAEE on what actions they can take for a sustainable event. GES not only aims to reduce the number of resources used for each event like Expo! Expo!, but try to reuse or repurpose as often as possible. The aim is to support local communities’ environmental efforts by repurposing items to continue their life cycle.
Sustainability is more than just being responsible; it’s the right thing to do. IAEE in partnership with GES, gives all the peace of mind knowing that we are reducing waste and the impact of an event on the environment.
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.
Community Relations
Each year, IAEE, Expo! Expo!, and our event stakeholders take part in efforts to deliver high impact initiatives in the communities where we host our event.
- Terence Donnelly Memorial Health & Wellness Event
The first event organized as a 5K run/1-mile walk, was held in 2019 as a memorial for Terrence Donnelly who passed away earlier in the year. Donnelly was a long-time member of IAEE and worked for Experient for many years. The event supports the CEIR Foundation, an organization that Terence was passionate about, and is sponsored by Maritz.
- PRIDE After Party
The IAEE PRIDE After Party honors the LGBTQIA+ community by celebrating pride in the IAEE membership who are as valuable, creative members of a diverse population in the exhibitions and events industry. The IAEE PRIDE After Party is sponsored by GES and onPeak.
- CEIR Silent Auction
Each year, CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research) holds a silent auction to raise funds for important research on the business-to-business exhibitions industry. Please consider participating as this organization is critical in providing industry-leading, objective research on the exhibitions and events industry.
Personal Responsibility
Health and Safety
IAEE is working closely with the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, GES, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), and other show partners on health and safety measures. The health and safety of our attendees and all event stakeholders to Expo! Expo! IAEE’S Annual Meeting & Exhibition is of utmost importance, and we are committed to safely accommodating all attendees.
Responsible Drinking Culture
IAEE encourages members to make positive personal decisions around alcohol. If an attendee appears to be intoxicated, we ask that assistance in facilitating a safe environment can be fostered by contacting an IAEE staff person. For those local attendees, we can assist in facilitating transportation with a ride share company. IAEE provides non-alcoholic options during all receptions with access to water options. It is important to Pause and Hydrate.
Ethical Business Practices
IAEE has a strict policy on suit casing during the Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Any activity designed to solicit or sell products or services to delegates attending a meeting, conference or event without the proper authorization by the event sponsor or in ways that violate the rules of the event or exhibition. Any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, in another company’s booth, or in violation of any portion of this policy, is subject to removal and additional penalties.
