Your green event in Stuttgart – with certified partner companies

As one of the largest event locations and organisers for trade fairs, congresses and events in Germany, we believe we have a special responsibility here at Messe Stuttgart. Since the opening of the trade fair center and the ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart in 2007, we have taken an innovative approach in our commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

In recent years, we have increasingly taken measures to minimise our carbon footprint. In 2023, we were presented with the German Sustainability Award in recognition of our pioneering role in event and trade fair management. We have the experience to support organisers in the implementation of sustainable events. 

What constitutes a “green event”?

An event is considered to be sustainable when its planning, implementation and follow-up involve aspects of social, economic and environmental sustainability. This could be environmentally friendly travel to and from the trade fair, energy efficiency, sustainable procurement, conservation of resources, regional catering and environmentally friendly accommodation, waste management, climate impact, accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. In all of these areas, we are the partner who can provide the services to ensure your event is a green one.

There are many individuals who come together to form the team responsible for your success. Messe Stuttgart, along with its partners and service companies, are working together to provide you with solutions for both a successful and sustainable event that stays within your budget.

Copyright Deutsche Bahn AG

Environmentally friendly arrival and departure

Messe Stuttgart is directly connected to the public transport network. In cooperation with the Stuttgart Transport and Tariff Association LLC (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS)), we can offer guests combined or event tickets for the entire transport district within the greater Stuttgart area at favourable prices. For long-distance journeys, we recommend the event ticket from Deutsche Bahn. The trade fair grounds are only about 30 minutes from Stuttgart’s main train station.  

There are several public charging stations from the energy company EnBW on the trade fair grounds, with charging connectors for electric vehicles and electric motorcycles. There are also bicycle stands with free ChargerCubes for e-bikes and pedelecs.

Stuttgart’s carsharing company SHARE NOW has its own area where guests can hire electric vehicles. Further electric vehicle charging stations are also available at the airport in the immediate vicinity of the trade fair.

Energy efficiency and resource conservation

Daylight floods both the rooms of the ICS and the halls in the trade fair complex, taking a natural approach to reducing energy consumption. Summer temperatures remain pleasant thanks to an energy-saving air-conditioning system, while the cold in winter is kept at bay by an intelligent heat recovery concept. An innovative layer ventilation system saves energy by supplying only the lower area of the hall with fresh air, instead of circulating and exchanging the air across the entire space.

The approx. 3.53 million kWh of electricity generated (2023) from the 43,400 m² of solar panels on the trade fair grounds saves approx. 1,482 t CO₂ every year. Messe Stuttgart acquires guarantees of origin for CO₂-neutral electricity generated from hydropower each year in line with the actual electricity consumed.

We can provide comprehensive advice on how to source sustainably for your green event. Messe Stuttgart also has a large network of partner companies who supply environmentally friendly products and services and are committed to fair working conditions. We can also provide support in the responsible use and conservation of resources. This includes, for example, rental equipment, returnable systems, recyclable materials and digital information material.

Regional catering and local accommodation

We work together with Aramark to provide catering services. The company has DIN EN ISO certifications in environmental, energy and quality management (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 und ISO 50001). Aramark sources meat and sausage products from regional producer groups, fruit and vegetables and baked goods from local suppliers. Certified organic and fair trade products and produce are a fixture in their product range. Aramark also has its own waste management system to combat food waste.

There are three hotels located in close proximity to Messe Stuttgart, with a total of 12,000 rooms and suites for event guests wishing to stay nearby. There are also many other hotels quickly accessible with public transport. In addition, Messe Stuttgart, like many hotels in the surrounding area, has been certified by the Stuttgart Region as a partner company for sustainable travel destinations. 

We pursue sustainable waste disposal and recycling in all areas. Dedicated containers for residual waste, recyclables and paper are used to separate waste fractions. We support the initiative "Donate your deposit" of Trottwar e.V. with deposit bottle collection containers. Food waste is used as a source of electricity in a biogas plant.

As part of our climate protection strategy, we have been calculating our corporate carbon footprint with ClimatePartner every year since 2019  and are constantly working on the further development of possible avoidance and reduction measures. Emissions that arise in non-trade fair operations and could not be eliminated or reduced up to now are offset by internationally recognized climate protection projects.

Accessibility is an important step towards promoting social inclusion. All guests, regardless of their physical or mental impairments, should be able to attend and take full advantage of organised events. We can help you plan your green event so that people in wheelchairs, people with walking disabilities or impaired vision or hearing can participate. Messe Stuttgart was designed, in cooperation with a specialist advisory body, to be accessible to people with physical disabilities.

To ensure your green event makes the impact it should and appeals to all guests equally, we can help you plan and organise a diverse and inclusive event. Taking a conscious approach to diversity, we will provide advice on how to prevent discrimination of any kind during all parts of the event. This involves assessing those appointed to the panels and podium discussions, as well as providing interpreters for participants who speak a different language.

The architecture of the trade fair complex has received a number of awards, among them an award from the Chamber of Architects in Baden-Württemberg for Exemplary Building in Stuttgart. With draped roof forms and generously glazed façades, its innovative appearance and distinctive character provide the perfect backdrop to any type of event. Find out more here about the versatility and equipment of the rooms at the trade fair and ICS, as well as our comprehensive event services.