For People and the Environment – Sustainability is Our Responsibility
As Messe Friedrichshafen, we host people from all over the world. Every year, exhibitors and visitors from more than 100 nations come to Lake Constance. Given this, we want to take responsibility for our guests, our partners, our employees – and especially for our environment. Messe Friedrichshafen is located in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes, with an Alpine panorama in view and Lake Constance nearby.
However, Lake Constance is also one of Europe's most sensitive ecosystems, which we must protect. For this reason, Messe Friedrichshafen is strongly committed to sustainable practices at all levels.
We achieve this through numerous measures – from waste reduction to energy-saving initiatives and traffic reduction through an extensive shuttle bus service.
Solar Power System
Messe Friedrichshafen operates one of the largest rooftop photovoltaic systems in the Lake Constance region. Installed across the roofs of ten exhibition halls, the 5.5 MWp peak solar installation generates a substantial share of the venue’s electricity demand and feeds any surplus energy into the regional grid as green power.
Energy Management
Energy peaks are avoided using energy optimization software, and power losses are prevented by a special transformer system. Unnecessary energy consumption is quickly identified through the cross-functional building control system's visualization. Decentralized heating, cooling, and ventilation units allow the exhibition halls to be operated efficiently based on demand.
The hall technology is equipped with the latest energy-efficient systems, such as heat recovery and modular, intelligent system control. For all these measures and the continuous development of relevant systems and processes, Messe Friedrichshafen employs a well-trained energy manager.
Waste Reduction and Separation
Messe Friedrichshafen strives for maximum waste reduction and separation through a series of initiatives:
- Consistent separation of residual waste, recyclable materials, and paper. Up to 90% of waste is reusable.
- Monitoring of waste separation.
- Largely avoiding carpeting in walkways.
- Collaboration with professional service providers who
prioritize waste separation. - No disposable tableware or cutlery in the gastronomy area.
- Mostly using reusable glass bottles in the gastronomy area.
- Company and service provider agreements to reduce waste and encourage the use of reusable materials.
Water Management
Water is a scarce resource, so careful and eco-friendly use is highly prioritized.
Water-saving fixtures are utilized, cisterns are used for irrigating the outdoor areas, and rainwater is partially used in the toilet facilities.
Gastronomy
Messe Friedrichshafen places a high value on sustainability in the gastronomy sector:
- Using regional products
- Offering health-conscious options, including vegan and vegetarian dishes
- Mostly using reusable glass bottles
- Minimizing plastic use through alternatives like bulk dispensers for ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.
Public Transportation
To encourage environmentally friendly transportation to the trade fair grounds, Messe Friedrichshafen offers extensive public transport services at most of its events. The free Messe-Express (MX) connects the trade fair grounds with the city and harbor stations on a fast route.
Combination tickets for the ferry, catamaran, and the local public transport network BODO complement the public transport offer.
Mobility
Mobility is an important issue for us as a trade fair company. To provide our visitors, exhibitors, and partners with the most environmentally friendly travel possible, we offer a comprehensive shuttle bus service in Friedrichshafen that brings our guests to hotels, airports, and major city centers.
Additionally, there are several charging stations on the exhibition grounds where electric cars can be charged during events, congresses, or conferences. Upon request, exhibitors, stand staff, or booth builders can also be provided with their own power connection within the grounds. Furthermore, free rental bicycles are available for use. Messe Friedrichshafen also offers employees e-bikes as company bicycles.
Some of Messe Friedrichshafen's fleet already consists of electric vehicles.
Employees
Jobrad bicycle leasing offer for all employees
- Free electricity for electric cars during working hours
- Information and training on energy-saving opportunities
- Bundling workplace equipment for better and more efficient use of devices
- Workstations designed with daylight concepts
- Height-adjustable desks
- Health check-ups and consultations with an occupational physician
- Paper savings through digital invoicing, correspondence, and information distribution
Green electricity
Messe Friedrichshafen uses 100% green electricity. This means that the AUMA target for 2025 for the trade fair industry in Friedrichshafen has already been implemented.
Upcycling
New bags and other items are created in the sewing workshop at Liebenau Service GmbH from old Messe Friedrichshafen event tarps, under the educational and technical guidance of people with special needs.
The benefits of attending trade shows
Trade shows contribute to climate protection and sustainability by efficiently bringing people together in person, thereby reducing the need for additional travel. This is a key finding of a recently published study titled “The Added Value of Trade Show Visits: How Individual Trips Are Avoided.” The study was conducted in the first half of 2024 by the Institute for Sustainable Tourism at Harz University of Applied Sciences on behalf of AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry.
AUMA-study
How individual trips can be avoided
13 conversations per day
... is the average number of conversations trade show visitors have at trade shows
8 additional trips
... are avoided by international visitors on average (about 4 for domestic visitors).
more than 60 percent
... of air travelers plan their trade show visits with particular efficience. They have nearly 18 business meetings per day and avoid just under 8 individual trips. Trade show visitors confirm that more than 60 percent of their business contacts could not have taken place digitally with the same level of quality.
5 separate travels
... could be avoided on average by attenting a trade show.