CSR issues at SOGENA

As part of its CSR policy, SOGENA identifies the following 11 priority issues:

1. Risk Prevention in Health, Safety, and Security
   Risk prevention covers all health and safety risks associated with the construction and operation of trade shows. This issue is particularly significant during the setup and dismantling phases of the exhibition spaces and applies to all employees and service providers involved. This includes awareness and monitoring measures related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), compliance with safety and traffic regulations, co-activity working conditions, etc. In a context of potential terrorist threats, trade show organization is also highly concerned with security issues.
2. Quality and Comfort at Work
   Ensuring the well-being, rest, catering, and comfort of teams and service providers. Quality and comfort at work involve taking into account the essential needs (e.g., drinking, eating, resting, safety, thermal comfort, etc.) of internal employees, exhibitors, and service providers involved in the trade shows.
3. Responsible Procurement
   Integrating CSR criteria into supplier selection processes. Responsible procurement concerns the relationships between SOGENA and its main suppliers. This issue notably refers to the CSR criteria that may be included in the tenders and consultations launched by SOGENA.
4. Accessibility of Spaces and Information
   Ensuring inclusion for all audiences (people with reduced mobility, clear information, accessible pricing). Accessibility involves considering access for people with disabilities (e.g., accessible pathways for people with reduced mobility) as well as access to information regarding the reception and support arrangements provided. Accessibility issues may also extend to the event’s pricing policies.
5. Eco-Design of Exhibition Setups
   Promoting modular, recyclable, and resource-efficient stands. Trade show construction involves significant consumption of natural resources, particularly in relation to the general installations managed by SOGENA. Implementing an eco-design approach is therefore a key challenge to reducing the impact of this activity.
6. Waste Management and Cleanliness
   Ensuring waste sorting, selective collection, and monitoring of waste treatment, especially during dismantling. Waste management is relevant throughout all phases of the trade shows. The largest waste streams are generated during setup and, above all, dismantling. Key issues include selective collection, informing service providers and exhibitors, waste removal, and waste treatment.
7. Optimization of Energy Consumption
   Reducing the energy consumption of exhibition halls and equipment. Energy consumption is structured around the following categories: hall consumption (lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, etc.), SOGENA’s electrical equipment consumption, and exhibitors’ electrical equipment consumption.
8. Transport of People and Freight
   Limiting the carbon footprint of travel and international logistics. Passenger transport includes all travel undertaken by stakeholders to attend the event from their countries or regions of origin, as well as daily travel between accommodation sites and the exhibition venue. Freight transport refers to all transport methods used to deliver the equipment required for the construction of the trade shows, including exhibitors’ equipment and the organizer’s equipment.
9. Sustainable Catering
   Developing a local and responsible catering offer while reducing food waste. Catering services provided during trade shows involve SOGENA, venue and exhibition park concessionaires, as well as exhibitors’ caterers.
10. Communication and Awareness
    Informing and training stakeholders on the CSR approach and promoting best practices. Engaging stakeholders in the CSR approach is itself a CSR issue. This includes employee training, defining key CSR messages, and implementing communication tools and channels to make the approach clear and understandable.
11. Stakeholder Dialogue
    Co-constructing the CSR approach with institutions, exhibitors, and service providers. This procedure aims to identify SOGENA’s stakeholders within the framework of its CSR strategy and to structure dialogue with them. It enables the collection of their expectations, the assessment of their level of commitment, and the sharing of the company’s strategic orientations in order to encourage continuous exchange and improve the performance of the responsible management system.

SOGENA’s CSR objectives

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 4 transversal objectives in order to optimise the environmental and societal impacts incurred by the preparation, construction and running of its exhibitions:

• Objective 1: Ensure safe, inclusive, and respectful conditions for all participants, exhibitors, service providers, and employees.

• Objective 2: Reduce the environmental footprint of trade shows by limiting consumption, waste, and emissions, while encouraging innovative and circular solutions.

• Objective 3: Promote strong local roots by supporting the local economy, encouraging responsible practices, and developing sustainable partnerships.

• Objective 4: Engage the entire maritime and events ecosystem, co-build the CSR approach, and promote a culture of responsibility and exemplary conduct.

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.