Global statistics from Austropapier show that around 235 kilos of paper are consumed per capita per year in Austria, which ranks the Alpine Republic as one of the world’s most prolific paper consumers. So what can companies and organisations do in their day-to-day life to reduce global paper consumption and protect the environment?
Online app for 1,500 participants
For the very first time, “Green Location” certified Congress Messe Innsbruck (CMI) has managed to host a completely paper-free congress with over one thousand participants. Around 1,500 conference attendees travelled to Innsbruck in autumn 2017 for the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Conference at Congress Innsbruck. “Using a specially designed app, participants were able to access paper-free conference information via our comprehensive Wi-Fi system and were provided with current news feeds and event notices via push notifications,” reports Ina Kähler, director of CMI congress management.
From paper-free to regional catering
Attendees were able to use the computers in a specially established “Resource Centre” to view abstracts, lecture notes or the congress media library and, for example, review lectures in recorded webcasts. “This was only possible thanks to the excellent technical facilities at Congress Innsbruck and the professional support provided by the PCO Tyrol Congress project team”, emphasizes Ben Hainsworth from K.I.T Group convention organisers. In addition to the use of digital media, great care was taken to prevent waste and savour only regional cuisine provided by CMI exclusive caterer, DoN.
