As sustainability expectations rise, event planners need more than ambition—they need proven approaches backed by data. IMEX’s newly-released Event Sustainability Report for the 2025 edition of IMEX America provides an open assessment of the show’s environmental performance, highlighting what worked, where challenges remain and practical learnings that can help organizers make more informed sustainability decisions for their own events.
The report, developed with sustainability consultants MeetGreen®, highlights significant progress in waste diversion, materials management, food recovery and measurement, while also providing a clearer understanding of the show’s impact and the opportunities for future improvement.
For the seventh consecutive year, IMEX America maintained its zero-waste event designation, diverting 90% of its waste stream away from landfill and incineration. This was achieved despite the 2025 show being the largest edition to date.
Further highlights include:
- 50,615 equivalent plastic bottles eliminated using water refill stations and water coolers—an average of 2.8 bottles per attendee
- Carpet use reduced by 5,280 square meters (14.5%) compared to the previous year—roughly the equivalent of two tennis courts
- 87% of carpet returned to inventory and stored locally for future shows
- F&B menu items sourced from within a 500-mile (804km) radius of Las Vegas
Supporting IMEX’s sustainability strategy
The report is more than a summary of environmental performance—it’s now a primary tool for demonstrating IMEX’s company-wide sustainability strategy “in the moment”, which aims to turn sustainability intent into measurable impact.
Here’s how IMEX America 2025 supported the strategy’s core goals:
Reducing carbon emissions by 20% by 2030: IMEX used isla’s TRACE platform more widely across its supply chain to measure and track the show’s carbon footprint. Data was captured for 90% of participant air and ground travel, building a strong evidence base to understand where emissions occur and identify opportunities for future reductions.
Driving circularity in exhibitor participation: IMEX America’s first recovery program for polyester banners and structural booth materials was introduced, resulting in an estimated 1,133kg of polyester recovered and donated through Mandalay Bay community channels. The fabric will be repurposed for livestock shade, bedding and cleaning applications.
IMEX CFO, David Harrison, explains:
“As IMEX America continues to grow, so does the scale of its sustainability challenge—from waste and materials to catering and attendee travel. That’s why transparency and measurement are so important.
“This report from our 2025 show highlights strong progress: maintaining our zero-waste status for the seventh consecutive year, reducing material consumption and improving emissions tracking. It also highlights where more work is needed, particularly around participant travel, which remains the largest contributor to event-related emissions.
“By sharing both our achievements and our challenges, we’re helping to build the knowledge and momentum needed to accelerate sustainability progress across the global events industry.”
Knowledge-sharing at IMEX America this October
Sustainability experts from around the world will share their advice, case studies and real-world experience at the 2026 edition of IMEX America, October 13-15, in Las Vegas.
The People and Planet Theater at the Inspiration Hub is home to the show’s education around sustainability, with sessions covering how to design inclusive event proposals, developing an ESG strategy and top tips for low-carbon menus.
Join IMEX’s CFO David Harrison and the isla team on August 11th for a webinar—”In the moment: How IMEX built its sustainability strategy”. Register here
- The IMEX America 2025 Event Sustainability Report can be downloaded here
- IMEX America 2026 takes place at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, October 13–15. Register—for free—here
- Read IMEX’s sustainability strategy
