Feature area MD&M Park includes forestry and crafted seating from Tree Trust. After the event, the seating — which is being built by Tree Trust’s Career Pathways program participants — will be delivered to the Normandale Elementary School in Bloomington, MN, for use in their outdoor classroom. In addition, the forestry will then be planted in the Minneapolis metro area as part of the program’s community impact.

Tree Trust is a Minnesota-based forestry group that organizes efforts to increase the urban tree canopy through community and school-based volunteer plantings, municipal tree distributions, and other special forestry initiatives. Tree Trust offers two Career Pathways programs—the Summer Youth Employment Program and Branches — which aim to introduce young people from underrepresented communities to sustainable careers while also creating and enhancing local green spaces for community enjoyment. Many of the trainees secure jobs directly after the program, helping to build a pipeline of trained workers for local employers.

In partnership with Healing Hearts Rescue, MD&M Park will also feature on-site pet adoption opportunities for attendees looking to give a dog a forever home. Guests can also contribute through donation initiatives, directly supporting Healing Hearts’ mission to rescue and rehome dogs in need. Healing Hearts Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit dog rescue in Minnesota dedicated to changing the lives of animals whom humans have failed by finding them safe and loving homes. It is 100% funded through adoption fees and donations. The organization believes that every dog deserves to be loved as true members of a family and is committed to fulfilling that dream one dog at a time!

Our first aim is for our events to inspire sustainable development. This is about the sustainability of the industry that our event serves. With focus on our content and partnerships, we inspire our attendees, exhibitors, and event teams to deliver a sustainable event.

Our second aim is to run our events in an environmentally responsible manner. The key is considering how we can reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiency, consideration of our energy use, waste reduction and our procurement choices.

Our third aim is to run our events in a socially responsible manner. This requires us to think about the impact we have on the local community and whether we are being a good neighbor. It also includes how we consider the welfare of everyone at our events, how we do business in an ethical and safe manner and how we promote equality and accessibility.