Judging criteria for Green Awards announced

The Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) is proud to announce the launch of their Green Awards today.
EXSAs recognition of the industrys need to become more sustainable led to the development of the Green Awards. These awards will acknowledge and commend those exhibition organisers and stand builders who have successfully applied sustainable practices at their events, and in doing so, hopefully encourage others to consider their impact on the environment.
Nigel Walker, the Chairman of EXSA, says: Greening is a journey, not a destination in itself. Learning from the successful implementation of projects helps set the foundation and builds for the future. Recognition for an achievement is an important mechanism to reward, motivate, acknowledge and highlight the best of the best.
EXSAs annual awards evening and gala dinner is the Oscars of the local exhibition industry, and recognises those show organisers, exhibition suppliers and venues who have achieved exceptional results during the year.
This year the EXSA Awards will be held on the 21st of November at Monte Casino, and the new Green Awards will be amongst those handed out. All EXSA members are therefore encouraged to enter these awards before the 5th of November. The application forms can be downloaded from the EXSA website, www.exsa.co.za.
EXSA approached the Event Greening Forum (EGF) to compile the judging criteria and guidelines for the Green Awards. The request aligned well with the EGFs mandate, which is to promote sustainable practices within the South African events industry, with an initial focus on business events such as exhibitions, conferences and meetings.
Justin Hawes, Chairperson of the EGF, says: EXSA are founding members of the EGF, and so we are delighted that they have taken such a proactive approach to spreading a green message amongst their members.
This year, applications for the EXSA Green Awards will be made retrospectively through written applications and supporting documentation. The applications will be judged by a panel selected from the EGF Management Committee
As of next year, judges will be required to visit the stands and shows, as is done for all other EXSA award judging.
Hawes adds: We encourage the events industry and their suppliers to use the EXSA Green Awards as guidelines for their own purposes. In this way we hope the Green Awards will develop a legacy of best practice.