Dear fellow IFES Members,
Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have” – it’s the standard we set, the legacy we build, and the shared responsibility we embrace as a global community of exhibition and event professionals. In short, we are required to future-proof our business.
At IFES, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Through strategic leadership, active partnerships, and real-world action, we are helping to redefine what sustainable practice means in our industry.
One way we’re bringing this to life is through our Sustainability Success Stories. Here, we showcase tangible, inspiring examples of progress made by you, our members. We warmly invite you to contribute your most relevant and recent stories. Let’s celebrate what’s working and inspire others to follow, even beyond our IFES community!
Another pillar of our future-proof leadership is the Better Stands initiative, a truly global push for rethinking the way we build and use exhibition stands. As mentioned at our recent World Summit in Guadalajara, the journey has began with the world Launch on June 6th at the UFI Event in Greece. IFES is proud to be a driving force behind this movement, in close collaboration with NZCE, UFI, and our partner associations worldwide. If you haven’t yet registered as an official Better Stands partner, now is the time: Join us in shaping the standards of tomorrow and be part of the next onboarding and accreditation round. We want to lead this Initiative towards becoming a global standard for the entire ecosystem. So let’s be first!
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the next ISO 20121 Convoy is scheduled to launch in September. This program brings structure, clarity, and global alignment to sustainable exhibition practices. Want to be part of it? The deadline for sign up is 19th August 2025, so you don’t have long to decide! Reach out to us at [email protected] now to receive the roadmap and find your place in this journey.
This is our moment to lead – not just in words, but through bold action and visible impact. We know many of you are already engaged in transformative work. Let us help you shine. Share your achievements, and let us amplify your voice through our platforms.
Together, we are building a future-proof environment and leading with innovation and intent.
I’m happy to see many of you already involved in these initiatives – doing good things and talking about them. And for those ready to take the next step: we’re here, ready to support you and jointly design the future.
Warm regards,
Jorg
President, IFES
