Trade show achieves new status with award
The Events Industry Council announced January 23 that WEFTEC 2024, an annual event hosted by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), has achieved PLATINUM level certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. WEFTEC’s 2023 event previously achieved GOLD certification from EIC.
Last year, WEFTEC drew more than 21,000 registrants and 1,000 exhibiting companies last. As of January 2025, WEFTEC is one of only four events to become EIC Platinum certified.
“Achieving the highest level of certification to the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and commitment to advancing practices that benefit the communities we serve,” said Stephanie Jones, WEF’s Managing Director of Event Strategy. “EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards have provided us with a clear path to elevate our efforts and set a new benchmark for sustainable events in our industry.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices.
“This milestone reflects our mission to not only inspire innovation in the water sector but also to lead by example in minimizing our environmental footprint,” said Ralph Exton, Executive Director of WEF. “I’m extremely proud of our WEF events team and all our staff who contributed to this achievement.”
The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organizational management; marketing; communications and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact. “WEFTEC’s achievement exemplifies what is possible when event organizers commit to integrating sustainability into every facet of their operations,” said Amy Calvert, CEO of the Events Industry Council. “This certification not only reflects WEF’s leadership but also demonstrates their dedication to setting a high standard for environmental and social responsibility in the events industry.”
The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of WEFTEC’s compliance with the Event Organizer standard.
"Certifying WEFTEC at the PLATINUM level highlights their extraordinary commitment to sustainability and transparency. We applaud WEF’s team on this achievement,” said Richard Murphy, CEO, president and managing director, Alliance for Audited Media.
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