Supply chain sustainability is one of the important topics on the agenda at this year’s 47th annual SAPICS Conference, the leading event in Africa for the supply chain profession. But industry body SAPICS, which hosts the annual gathering in Cape Town, is doing more than including the global sustainability imperative in the issues that will be explored by expert presenters and attendees in June, it is ensuring that the event itself is as green and environmentally friendly as possible, says SAPICS president Thato Moloi.

“SAPICS is truly walking the talk on supply chain sustainability at this year’s conference, with event partners that are as committed to environmental sustainability as our SAPICS supply chain community is,” he states. “We are not just learning about supply chain sustainability at the SAPICS Conference, we are living it.”

The conference venue, Century City Conference Centre, has been described as a “catalyst for climate change”.  It is Cape Town’s only 4 Star Green Star certified boutique conference centre. SAPICS has held its annual conference at Century City Conference Centre since 2017 and is proud to have seen the facility develop and advance its green practices over the years, Moloi says.

Since 2023, Century City Conference Centre has achieved a 20% reduction in carbon emissions, lessening its environmental footprint and contributing to cleaner city air. An ongoing drive to integrate renewable energy has resulted in the conference centre being able to meet 40 percent of its daily energy needs with solar and other renewable sources. Water conservation initiatives have reduced the facility’s potable water usage by 30 percent. These initiatives include dual plumbing and treated effluent water from Potsdam.

A focus on recycling and composting programmes has enabled Century City Conference Centre to achieve a 51 percent waste diversion rate. “As our natural resources dwindle and carbon emissions rise, circular supply chains are becoming more critical than ever. Century City Conference Centre’s success in diverting valuable resources out of landfills and back into the circular economy really resonates with SAPICS and our supply chain community,” Moloi notes.

The venue’s drive for sustainable partnerships is also aligned with SAPICS’s belief that sustainability should benefit not just the environment but communities, too. “The products and partners chosen by Century City Conference Centre reflect our shared mission to protect resources and develop local businesses. We are delighted that 60 percent of Century City Conference Centre’s partners are local businesses.”

Another element of SAPICS’s sustainability drive for this year’s conference is its partnership with ExpoGuys, a stand builder that is putting the planet front and centre in its business. “ExpoGuys is a strong advocate for modular stands over once off constructed stands, a preference rooted in sustainability,” Moloi explains. While other products may seem eco-friendly at first glance, their life cycle paints a completely different picture. “Biodegradable products can only be used once or twice. They also require cutting down trees and often cannot be repurposed. A modular system, on the other hand, may be made with plastic, but it can be used up to 200 times before being recycled. It is actually far more sustainable.”

ExpoGuys also offers a pioneering Sustainable Stand Grading System, to help exhibitors - like those at the SAPICS Conference - to understand the full environmental impact of their exhibition stands. Each stand is assessed across multiple criteria, including flooring, structure, lighting, branding and furniture. Materials are graded based on their sustainability, with the overall stand receiving a Gold, Silver or Platinum certification. This system raises environmental awareness among exhibiting businesses and stand designers, helping them to understand the long-term cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of sustainable stand choices.

ExpoGuys’ sustainability initiatives extend to its electrical and climate control hire services, too. “We are proud to be working with a company that is building stands sustainably and shaping the future of the exhibition industry,” Moloi says.

This year’s conference will see SAPICS partnering with Eyako Green once more, to provide delegate bags that are eco-friendly and locally produced in programmes that are creating jobs, uplifting and upskilling South African communities. “This inspiring supplier takes used billboards and polyester marketing waste and upcycles it into eye catching, durable conference bags and other products,” Moloi explains. “SAPICS is delighted to be able to support them and give our delegates conference bags to treasure because they look good and are doing good.”