Corporate Social Responsibility FIERA MILANO CONGRESSI Management Keeps Sustainability Top of Mind S
OCIAL SOLIDARITY — IN THE FORM of respect for the Earth and other human beings—has long been a guiding principle
for Fiera Milano Congressi (FMC). The company, which has specialized in managing event venues since 1994 and manages three congress centers and one business center in Italy, ranksamongthe most progressive firms of its kind when it comes to sustainability and corporate responsibility. FMC’s management philosophy promotes
the use of systems that help safeguard the envi- ronment and allow the best use of natural resources. Several sustainability measures have been introduced in all company-managed con- gress centers under the umbrella of a program to improve energy efficiency. These measures include the purchase of eco-sustainable, low- environmental-impactmaterials, along with reg- ular assessment of electricity, heat, and water consumption by user or activity category. All new structures (offices as well as congress centers) have separate conditioning plants equipped with temperature-regulation systems that modulate energy supplied according to the outdoor tem- perature. Hot water is supplied to FMC offices using a photovoltaic plant installed on the roof. Additionally, in cooperation with vendor part-
ner LIFEGATE, FMC offers groups the option of branding their events as having “zero environ- mental impact.” For the lowest possible envi- ronmental impact, exhibits can incorporate Kenafloor, a highly biodegradable carpet that
also produces minimal CO2 during its manufac- turing process. Moreover, FMC’s catering-serv- ices provider can createmenus that feature only natural products, served on recyclable table- ware. Offices and congress centers collect and separately recycle paper/cartons, glass, plastic, metal, and wood. Multi-material bins are used to collect recoverable waste, while carpeting, which is rented for individual events, is returned to the supplier for recycling.Toner used in print- ers and copiers is collected in specific bins,with event producers responsible for their disposal. To encourage the use of local public trans- portation as an alternative to taxis and cars,FMC
has drawn up agreements withATM, themunic- ipal transport company, to buy tickets at special prices for employees and congress delegates. Those who do drive in can avail themselves of more than 1,200 parking spaces as of May 1. FMC’s sustainability efforts go hand in hand
BIG DEAL: The Milano Convention
Centre is the largest facility of its kind in
Italy and will become Europe’s largest con-
gress center when an expansion is complet- ed this spring.
NO EFFECT: FMC offers groups the option of branding
their events as having “zero environmental impact.”
with its corporate social responsibility. Its cater- ing company and refreshment suppliers donate unused food from events held at its facilities to an organization that offers meals to the poor.FMC also facilitates direct dialogue between its staff and institutions, civil and religious organizations, and other entities with effective commitments to identify and resolve serious social needs.
At a Glance CONVENTION FACILITIES: Fiera Milano Con- gressi has specialized in managing event ven- ues since 1994. It currently operates three convention centers—the Milano Convention Centre in Milan; Spazio Villa Erba, a conference center on Lake Como; and Stella Polare, a futuristic conference center in the new Milan trade-show complex. Fiera Milano Congressi also manages MoMeC, an executive business suite in the heart of Rome. Collectively, these facilities offer more than 20,000 seats and 74 conference halls. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Fiera Milano Con- gressi; P.le Carlo Magno 1 - 20149 Milano, Italy; +39 02 4997.7134; fax: +39 02 4801.0265; info@fieramilanocongressi.it; www.fieramilanocongressi.it