"Stuttgart is the most sustainable city in Germany" according to the findings of a study conducted by business magazine WirtschaftsWoche in 2012 (‘WirtschaftsWoche Sustainable City Indicator’). The investigation looked at the 50 most populous urban centres in Germany and judged them on 56 different criteria. Stuttgart achieved above average scores for nearly all sustainability criteria, making it an ideal setting for a sustainable GTM Germany Travel Mart™ in 2013.

• Delegates are encouraged to travel to and from the event by train, thereby drastically reducing the amount of individual journeys made
• All Deutsche Bahn rail trips with the Umwelt Plus event ticket are carbon neutral
• All exhibitors who have reserved their hotel via the GTM booking facility from Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH will receive a ticket valid for local public transport (excludes 4-star Park Inn by Radisson)
• Most GTM hotels are conveniently situated with good public transport connections
• Volunteers from the local area will be waiting at key locations (hotels, train station, airport, etc.) to provide visitors with public transport information and directions
• A managed shuttle bus system is provided for the necessary transfers (intelligent logistics)

• The invitation process is completely electronic
• All information and services related to the GTM Germany Travel Mart™ can be accessed online and are now only provided electronically
• Use of paper is discouraged as far as possible
• Delegates are made more aware of sustainable behaviour (e.g. GreenTeam survey of service providers)

• The paper used for name badges is sourced from FSC-certified forests
• All printed materials (brochures, pocket guides, etc.) are printed double-sided on FSC-certified paper and they are produced print compensated
• GTM delegates are given a high-quality conference bag made from renewable resources

• Contractors are selected based on a list of criteria for sustainable exhibition-stand construction
• Materials and components are re-used multiple times
• Eco-friendly building materials are used wherever possible
• Preference is given to water-based colours and paints
• Considerable resources are conserved by hiring exhibition furniture
• Packaging and freight are minimised (intelligent logistics)

• Stuttgart Exhibition Centre and its International Congress Centre Stuttgart (ICS), where this year’s GTM workshop is being held, signed up to the industry’s ‘right and fair’ code of conduct at the end of 2012
• The key sustainability policies are detailed in a ‘green statement’

• Solar panels on the roofs of Stuttgart Exhibition Centre and the ICS generate green electricity
• Almost all rooms in the ICS let in natural daylight, helping to reduce power consumption
• Both Stuttgart Exhibition Centre and the ICS are heated using intelligent heat recovery systems and highly efficient gas condensing technology
• Rooms are kept cool by an eco-friendly air conditioning system that produces ice overnight using off-peak electricity
• Energy-efficient conference equipment and energy-saving LED lighting are also in use
• The toilet facilities are fitted with water-saving valves
• Water resources are conserved by using certified eco-friendly detergents
• Rainwater undergoes a self-purification process and is returned to the natural water cycle
• Waste bins in all areas enable the separation of non-recyclable waste, recyclable waste and paper
• Professional waste separation is carried out by a specialist waste disposal company

• The ICS caterer (ARAMARK GmbH) is a certified organic supplier with a focus on sustainability
• Certified organic and fairtrade ingredients are a permanent fixture on the menu
• Local, seasonal produce is used wherever possible
• Exotic products from overseas are actively avoided
• Waste is minimised by providing reusable crockery and cutlery and by choosing suppliers that avoid wasteful packaging
• Leftovers are used to run a biogas plant
• Used cooking oil is collected and converted into eco-friendly biodiesel
• Caterers at the GTM evening events have also been briefed on the requirements detailed above

• All facilities have disabled access – delegates are asked when registering if they have any special requirements that need to be accommodated
• There is a series of seminars for buyers on the subject of sustainability and Green Germany
• All sustainability measures are clearly communicated (through press releases, the website, etc.)