Sustainability

One of the key issues in the trade fair industry is the circular economy. Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH is already working on various options in this area. For example, exhibitors can already book high-quality reusable solutions in the online service booking shop.

Further reusable or recyclable materials are gradually being developed with experienced trade fair and stand construction companies. For example, the stand modules at the GET NORD International ArchitectureForum will be reused and made from 80 % marine plastic.

The buildings are heated using 99 % residual district heating. The heat is first supplied to other users and then reaches HMC via heat exchangers.

Since 2011, HMC has been sourcing 100% of its electricity from hydropower and/or wind power. The exhibition halls are therefore technically equipped with heat recovery systems in order to utilise lost heat. In the lighting system, additional energy is saved by continuously switching from energy-saving lamps to LEDs.

An environmentally friendly exhibition experience also includes the conscious choice of means of transport to and from the fair site. Thanks to the central location of the exhibition halls and their connection to several local and long-distance public transport stations, visitors have many options for getting to and from GET NORD in an affordable, comfortable and climate-friendly way. These are supplemented by the wide range of mobility sharing service providers.

All visitors travelling with an electric car can find 126 charging points in the area around the exhibition grounds.

GET NORD benefits from the green agenda of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which envisages that the city's public companies will become climate-neutral in balance sheet terms by 2040. This politically declared goal thus also applies to the city's subsidiary Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC), which organises GET NORD.

Modern self-closing taps that run for just five to eight seconds per wash. This reduces the water consumption per wash cycle from around 3.6 litres to 0.9 litres.

Taking into account the Green Procurement Guidelines, sustainability is increasingly anchored as an award criterion for HMC. In other words: green light for suppliers who think environmentally friendly.
 

Conscious enjoyment is not possible without detailed quality management and processes that take sustainability and environmental protection seriously. Our catering partner Käfer therefore focuses on regional, seasonal and organic food and has an ambitious sustainability strategy.

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HMC also actively aims to avoid food waste, for example through cooperation with the Hamburger Tafel food bank and needs-oriented planning. A vegetarian menu and reusable tableware are also part of the measures.

Our logistics traffic close to the exhibition is controlled and continuously improved by an intelligent slot system. The logistics fleet at the exhibition centre already consists entirely of e-trolleys and HMC's logistics partner naturally demonstrates a sustainability strategy. For example, Kühne + Nagel, which has been using the plant-based fuel HVO100 (diesel substitute) since April 2024.

Participants at GET NORD are encouraged to avoid waste and use resources carefully. Exhibiting companies can collect their waste separately and the waste generated at the event will be professionally and properly separated, recycled or disposed of.

MRG waste consultants are also on duty in the halls during the set-up and dismantling phases.

All year round, we also focus on the sustainable protection of our waters. For example, HMC uses biodegradable cleaning agents at all time and largely dispenses with the use of road salt in winter to clear ice and snow.