Since 2012 the congress destination of Stuttgart has become even more competitive and attractive as a conference and congress region. Based on the results of a survey carried out last year, the congress destination of Stuttgart is entitled to call itself “Germany’s most sustainable city”. The 2013 GTM Germany Travel Mart™ shows that this is justified.
The congress destination of Stuttgart convinces in city ratings: in the overall rankings of the WirtschaftsWoche Sustainable City Indicator (WWSCI), Stuttgart achieves higher-than-average results among Germany’s 50 largest cities in every category (economic strength, environment, human capital, social affairs, energy and transport, transparency and commitment). The survey confirms Stuttgart’s leading position as Germany’s most sustainable metropolis – and therefore also the most sustainable congress destination.
In the Stuttgart Region countless events are staged with the theme of sustainabilty. Some of these are organised entirely in accordance with sustainable criteria, including CO2 compensation. The most recent example here is the 39th GTM Germany Travel Mart™, which took place from 5th to 7th May 2013 in Stuttgart. For the German National Tourist Board sustainability is a key element in the organisation of its annual B2B event. Core elements include rail travel with the “Umwelt Plus” event ticket of the Deutsche Bahn, the involvement of hotels with a sustainable bias and favourable links to the public transport network, and an travel pass included in the price of an overnight stay, intelligent logistics for the necessary transfers, electronic invitation and information procedures, sustainable stand construction, a seminar for buyers on the theme of sustainability for locations in Germany/Green Germany, and much more besides.
This year’s GTM workshop was held at the ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart / Messe Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, which committed itself to the industry’s “Right and Fair” code of conduct at the end of 2012 and already in 2010 laid down the most important sustainability policies in a “green statement”. In particular these include not only highly efficient energy, water and waste management, but also the ICS / Messe Stuttgart’s certified organic and sustainability-oriented caterers: ARAMARK GmbH. For the 2013 GTM, the GNTB was awarded the GreenNote seal of approval by the mygreenmeeting.de competency network for its outstanding conservation of resources in staging the event.
The success of the GTM has shown in an exemplary fashion that it is possible to organise an event for some 1300 participants which systematically observes and implements all aspects of sustainability. Working in close cooperation, the GNTB as organiser and the Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH (also committed to “Right and Fair”) and Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH Stuttgart as the local hosts of the event were able to give the delegates an impression of the all-round sustainability of the destination of Stuttgart. The GTM as a “Green Meeting” will therefore act as a catalyst for “Green Tourism”.
About the Stuttgart Convention Bureau
The Stuttgart Convention Bureau (SCB) – a department of the Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH and the Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH – is the central, neutral contact partner of the state capital of Stuttgart and its surrounding region for event organisers from companies, associations and institutions as well as for event agencies. Event planners profit from the team’s extensive expertise and receive professional advice and support for the organisation of congresses and other events in the Stuttgart Region. The team is responsible for marketing the congress destination both in Germany and abroad. The strategic partners of the SCB are: ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart/Messe Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, Liederhalle Culture and Congress Centre, Stuttgart Airport, WRS (Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation), Regio congress locations, Stuttgart’s hotel sector and the Regio Stuttgart Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH.
Copyright SMG
