Press Release 30th May 2012

Stuttgart Convention Bureau wins IMEX Green Exhibitor Award 2012

With its stand at the IMEX 2012, the Stuttgart Convention Bureau effectively underlined its strong commitment to the protection of the environment and therefore won the IMEX Green Exhibitor Award with its comprehensive joint concept. At its very first attempt, the Stuttgart stand has convinced the jury. The concept of this year's stand not only demonstrated the great potential of the region with a high economic factor. It also reflected in an exemplary fashion Stuttgart regions own perception of the concept of sustainability in the meeting and congress sector. Karina Grtzner, Stuttgarts Manager Business Development, accepted the Green Exhibitor Award from IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom. Grtzner commented: Representing the leading high-tech and innovation meeting destination, Stuttgart region - the SCB is very grateful to win the prestigious IMEX award. It shows everyone the high effort Stuttgart is already making to secure a sustainable and prosperous future. Stuttgart and its surrounding area also provide an interesting variation of meeting venues and hotels that have sustainability high on their agendas. For us it was natural to organize the destination stand at IMEX with a high priority on sustainability. It should become a standard for every exhibitor. We also thank our eight stand partners, as well as our strategic partners, who supported us in every possible way to win this award.

Stuttgart Convention Bureau c/o Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH Rotebhlplatz 25 70178 Stuttgart phone: +49 (0)711 / 22 28-268 fax: +49 (0)711/ 22 28-211 info@congress-stuttgart.de www.congress-stuttgart.de

In recent years, sustainability has become the big trend topic in the event business. Stuttgart as a congress destination is also a pioneer as regards this development. With its concept and the realisation of this year's appearance at the IMEX 2012, the Stuttgart Convention Bureau met all the requisite criteria for sustainable trade fair presence. Right down to the smallest detail, the destination's stand is aimed at using resources sparingly, acting in an environmentally compatible way and employing reusable materials: whether for information and press hand-outs, stand construction materials or give-aways the Stuttgart Convention Bureau used environmentally friendly materials and local products. All of its participants and partner exhibitors travelled to the fair by CO2-free transport with Deutsche Bahn event tickets. The Stuttgart Convention Bureau makes another special contribution to sustainability with its cooperation partner Speick, producers of natural cosmetics, by sponsoring high-quality cosmetic products. For this family firm based in the Stuttgart Region, the main objective for over 80 years now has been to promote an awareness of natural resources. The Green Exhibitor Award is offered on the initiative of the leading trade fair IMEX. The award was initiated for the purpose of establishing by simple means the theme of sustainability as regards stand construction, advertising material and all other aspects involved in exhibiting at the IMEX. It is aimed at motivating trade fair participants to commit themselves to the IMEX guidelines for waste reduction through the use of recycling materials, thus making the IMEX as a whole as environmentally friendly as possible.

Stuttgart Convention Bureau c/o Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH Rotebhlplatz 25 70178 Stuttgart phone: +49 (0)711 / 22 28-268 fax: +49 (0)711/ 22 28-211 info@congress-stuttgart.de www.congress-stuttgart.de