AstraZeneca and Emota at ERS 2023 & 2024

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress is a crucial annual event for AstraZeneca (AZ), providing a platform to engage healthcare professionals. In 2023 and 2024, AZ prioritised sustainability, a commitment aligned with Emota’s core strategy. Tasked with making the 2023 booth as sustainable as possible, Emota leveraged its award-winning EnviroPlan methodology to minimise waste and environmental impact, resulting in a modular, reusable booth design that was successfully reinstalled at ERS 2024 and stored for future use in 2025.

Sustainable Approach

Emota’s EnviroPlan methodology focuses on preventing, reducing, and reusing materials to create long-lasting, circular exhibition designs. By applying data-driven insights from TRACE, sustainability efforts centered on reducing waste - the most controllable and impactful factor in exhibition sustainability. The booth’s modular design allowed for reconfiguration, reducing material waste and carbon emissions. Locally sourced materials and labour further minimised the environmental footprint, and transportation logistics were optimised to decrease emissions.

Innovative Solutions

Key sustainability measures included: • Zero-waste goal – A reusable booth stored in Germany for use across multiple years. • Circular design – Lightweight, modular components made from sustainable materials. • Efficient logistics – Reduced transport emissions by consolidating shipments and limiting air travel. • Sustainable sourcing – Use of recyclable fabrics, LED lighting, and eco-friendly catering practices.

Impact & Recognition • 98.44% reduction in total waste footprint (0.76 tonnes). • 11.6% reduction in carbon footprint (49.5 tCO2e). • 96.8% of materials reused, donated, or repurposed. • Awarded “Best Designed Stand Incorporating Sustainable Goals” at ERS 2023 and 2024.

Business Outcomes

The booth achieved 4x higher touchscreen interactions and a significant increase in engaged delegates. Insights gained will guide further sustainability enhancements for ERS 2025 and beyond. By demonstrating that sustainability and innovation can coexist, Emota’s approach is setting new standards in exhibition design and broader event sustainability initiatives.