Sustainability is Key to 2021 PSP/Deck Expo

The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) is leading the way in incorporating sustainability, as parent company, Informa, aims to become a zero-waste and net-zero carbon business by 2030. 

Show organizers acknowledged that PSP/Deck Expo has an impact on the environment and the communities its serves. 

The goal was to make the event more responsible and to continuously minimize these impacts. 

Through its Sustainability Program, organizers worked to identify, understand and address areas where positive changes could be made. 

The aim was for everyone involved in the event, from show management and event contractors to our attendees and exhibitors, to be engaged with sustainability in three ways—economically, environmentally and socially.

This came to life via:

For the 2021 show, which took place Nov. 13–18 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, badges were digital. 

If attendees wanted a physical badge, it was able to be printed on recycled stock paper. 

In an additional effort to reduce waste, there were no printed show guides or floor plans. 

“Sustainability is taking a much-needed spotlight at the PSP/Deck Expo, and we were excited to bring very visible changes to the event, to reduce the waste we’re creating on-site with the digital badges, the aisle carpet and converting the printed show guide to a digital format,” said Ray Giovine, show director. “We look forward to establishing baselines for our sustainable efforts and continuing to add and improve them in future years.”

The Digital Show Guide, an interactive floorplan, search for exhibitors, to find the complete schedule of events and more, was available via the show’s mobile app. 

The venue had recycling cans for the show floor, lobbies and outside all meeting rooms. There were also recycling cans inside meeting rooms and PSP/Deck Expo-contracted spaces. 

Attendees were encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to the show.

Also, there were no carpets in the expo hall aisles.

Informa's sustainability's efforts

"The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) as it is also known, is one of the most significant global and independent rankings of companies based on how well they perform on non-financial measures, specifically when it comes to Environmental, Social and Governance matters," Informa Group CEO Stephen Carter said. "In Sustainability, Informa has made steady progress since 2014, gradually building up our capabilities and performance, and giving this area an even greater focus and acceleration under the FasterForward program launched in 2020. 

"Our accreditations and rankings have steadily improved as well, and it is fantastic to announce that we have just achieved our highest ever DJSI score and, for the first time, been ranked top of our sector for sustainability globally," he added.