24.06.2010 The United Nations Global Compact initiative accepts Messe Frankfurt into its ranks

Messe Frankfurt is the first German trade fair organiser to join the UN Global Compact, the world’s leading network for companies committed to sustainability. This is yet another example of the Group exercising its corporate social responsibility. The Global Compact encompasses the fields of human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption activities.

This profitable international trade fair company and its global subsidiaries are dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility in the workplace. Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, stated that: “A company cannot credibly promote sustainability unless it exercises it, and Messe Frankfurt has long been committed to the principles of sustainability, environmental protection and social responsibility. With our photovoltaic systems on our exhibition grounds and a series of other activities for the environment, society, education and culture, we are embracing the principles of corporate responsibility and sustainability, and doing our part for society. I am pleased that our efforts have been recognised with our inclusion in the United Nations Global Compact.”

The core of the Global Compact is formed by ten principles that are based on various international agreements. These include monitoring and protecting human rights, eliminating discrimination in the workplace, promoting environmentally friendly technologies, and combating corruption, extortion and bribery.

The focus of communications is on sharing expertise, joint learning, exchanging information and maintaining an open dialogue. In addition, Global Compact companies in Germany have also entered into numerous public-private partnerships (PPP) in cooperation with GTZ (German Agency for Technical Cooperation). An excellent example is provided by Messe Frankfurt’s collaboration with GTZ in the Maghreb countries to promote the trade fair participation of African companies.

For more information, please visit our website at:
www.unglobalcompact.org


Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s largest trade fair organiser, with 424 million* euros in sales and more than 1,500 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2009*, Messe Frankfurt organised more than 90 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Comprising an area of 578,000 square metres, Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*Preliminary figures for financial year 2009