Chris Leckness

Attendees at Las Vegas Event to Enjoy Opportunities to Protect the Environment, Reduce Carbon Footprint
CTIA WIRELESS, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, is doing its part to reduce waste and promote green business practices with its new eco-friendly initiatives.

As part of CTIA’s overall commitment to the environment, this Spring’s tradeshow, to be held in Las Vegas April 1 – 3, will include a number of opportunities for attendees to do their part. Programs will include:

• Ways to Recycle Your Retired Phones—Attendees can bring their retired cell phones and accessories to CTIA WIRELESS 2008 for recycling, and support the CALL TO PROTECT program. Wireless phones donated to the program are refurbished and sold to raise funds for domestic violence organizations. Phone recycling stations will be located throughout the convention center. Attendees will also be able to take a postage-paid envelope home to send retired phones for recycling, at no cost.
• Recycling Bins for Badges—CTIA reduced its three-part badge (paper badge, plastic e-Business card and badge holder) to a single recyclable badge. At the end of their visit, attendees will be able to recycle their badges in specially marked bins located throughout the convention center.
• Paper, Plastic and Glass Recycling—CTIA is working with the Las Vegas Convention Center to ensure that paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, wood and aluminum products as well as carpet padding are being sorted and recycled.

“The fast pace of innovation in the wireless industry delivers new devices and applications at lightning speed,� said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director of CTIA WIRELESS. “At CTIA, the wireless industry is demonstrating that same spirit of innovation to reduce the environmental impact of our business. CTIA is proud to partner with the industry to make recycling and reduced waste a way of life at our shows and all year round.�
CTIA has adapted some of its practices to further reduce the show’s carbon footprint. In addition to utilizing electronic brochures, rather than paper, whenever possible, reusing show signage and materials, and working with host facilities to utilize biodegradable materials for concessions, CTIA is also introducing new initiatives in Las Vegas this April that further eliminate waste and encourage green business practices.
Cutting Down On Paper
Over the years, CTIA has worked with exhibitors, attendees and partners to reduce the amount of paper used at the show. While CTIA strives to use virtual brochures and materials whenever possible, paper materials that must be produced are printed on recycled and FSC-certified paper when available.
CTIA has also partnered with Virtual Press Office to make it easier for exhibitors to distribute electronic press kits. And CTIA itself shares information with the press via electronic communications. In addition, show management distributes almost all materials and information to exhibitors electronically.
Eco-Friendly Exhibit Materials
CTIA WIRELESS is working with Freeman, the official show contractor, to provide exhibitors with environmentally-friendly options—including cardboard wastebaskets, banner materials with water-based components that do not contain carcinogenic or allergenic compounds, and exhibit packages that contain environmentally-friendly materials. These additions will allow exhibitors to maximize their tradeshow investment while maintaining a “green� approach.
About CTIA WIRELESS 2008
As the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry and the largest wireless show in the world, CTIA WIRELESS 2008 brings together all industries affected by wireless technology for three days of intense learning and networking. Visit www.ctia.org/ctiawireless.
Source: CTIA Wireless press release... Thanks for reading this article, to comment on it, please click here...