As part of its CSR policy, SOGENA identifies the following 10 priority issues:
Principal societal issues
Risk prevention concerns all health and safety risks associated with exhibition construction and animation. This issue is particularly relevant during the assembly and disassembly phases of the various exhibition areas and applies to all staff and service providers involved. It includes promoting awareness and control of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), compliance with safety and traffic regulations, coordinated work activity, etc.
Work quality and comfort covers taking into account the essential needs (e.g. drinking, eating, resting, working in safe conditions…) of in-house and external colleagues involved in the exhibitions.
Accessibility corresponds to taking into account access for people with disabilities (e.g. PRM pathways) as well as access to information concerning scheduled reception facilities. The issue of accessibility can also extend to pricing policies of the event.
Mobilising the different parties involved in the CSR policy is an essential CSR issue. It includes training staff, defining key CSR messages as well as the communication tools and channels that make the process legible.
Principal environmental issues
Exhibition construction results in a significant consumption of natural resources, particularly as part of the general installation under SOGENA. The implementation of an ecodesign approach is essential in order to reduce this impact.
Energy consumption is structured into the following categories: hall consumption (lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning…), consumption of SOGENA electrical panels, consumption of exhibitor electrical panels.
Waste management is expressed in all phases of exhibitions. The largest flows are generated during assembly and especially disassembly. Issues to be taken into consideration include selective collection, providing information to service providers and exhibitors, waste removal and processing.
The transport of people is represented by the trips made by all those involved coming to the event from their home countries or regions, by the daily trips between accommodation and the exhibition. Freight transport is comprised of all the means of transport used to dispatch equipment required for exhibition construction. This includes material belonging to exhibitors and the organiser.
Catering services offered as part of the Exhibitions concerning Sogena, Viparis contractors and exhibitor caterers.
Principal economic issues
Responsible purchasing concerns relations between SOGENA and its main suppliers. This issue refers in particular to the CSR criteria that can be included in the consultations launched by SOGENA.
With regard to the sustainable development issues that arise from its activities, SOGENA wishes to reinforce its action with regard to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
To this end, SOGENA is structuring its CSR policy around 3 transversal objectives in order to optimise the environmental and societal impacts incurred by the preparation, construction and running of its exhibitions:
Objective 1: To mobilise suppliers and service providers via a responsible purchasing policy
Objective 2: To accompany and promote CSR processes implemented by exhibitors for setting up and working their stands
Objective 3: To implicate collaborators and raise their awareness of the CSR policy
Objective 4: Analyze and optimize the environmental impacts of our activities
With regard to its CSR objectives and in accordance, the SOGENA commits to mobilising all those involved to respect the legal requirements applicable to its activities and to make this CSR policy publicly available.
Finally, SOGENA is committed to providing a clear framework for the definition, updating and evaluation of its sustainable development objectives, with a view to continuous improvement.
