Freeman has achieved the Level 2 APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meetings Standard Certification from the Events Industry Council. This certification pertains to the evaluation and selection of exhibits for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences for suppliers (general service contractor/venue).

The APEX/ASTM Standard is awarded to companies that exceed industry standards when it comes to helping customers execute sustainable events. BPA iCompli Sustainability Assurance is the official certification provider, having worked with EIC to develop certification protocols.

“Freeman is deeply committed to sustainability for the organization, our clients’ events and the industry,” said Melinda Kendall, Freeman’s senior vice president of sustainability.

She continued, “Sustainability is all about finding creative ways to reduce waste, and the Events Industry Council’s certification gives our customers confirmation that we have proven our ability to provide ... sustainable event execution beyond what they may have considered.”

Freeman is the only general service contractor in North America to have both the ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management System and APEX/ASTM sustainability certifications.

"The Events Industry Council congratulates Freeman on this major achievement,” said Amy Calvert, CEO of EIC. “The cumulative impact of embedding sustainable practices in their 21 exhibition offices across North America is exactly the type of bold, meaningful action needed today in our industry.”

She continued, “We also celebrate Freeman's well-established commitment to sustainable practices through materials innovation, waste management and community partnerships."

EIC’s APEX/ASTM Standards is a set of nine formal, voluntary standards developed by the meetings industry. It provides both planners and suppliers with prescriptive, measurable certifications for producing events more sustainably.

Following a two-year review of APEX/ASTM Standards, EIC is expected to release a redesigned version later this year, to be referred to as the Events Industry Council Sustainable Event Standards.

To read more about how Freeman is practicing sustainability, including donating more than 7,330 pounds of supplies to local non-profits, go here.