From recycling, waste management, energy consumption reduction, the use of recyclable materials and resources to encouraging and facilitating the use of public transport and carbon-offsetting initiatives, IPE is committed to organising events that adhere to sustainable principles to protect the environment and society and reduce our carbon footprint and impact in the cities, regions and venues we work with.
Venues and catering
Central to partnerships we form with venues and caterers for events that we organise are the following factors:
- waste management policies
- unused food distribution
- supporting local and regional food, flowers and materials suppliers
- the use of seasonal vegetables and meats/fish bred and reared organically and/or according to sustainable farming where possible
- offering at least one mains vegetarian and/or vegan dish and gluten-free options
- reusable and recyclable household items such as glass and/or paper glasses and cups
- minimal use of single-use and non-recyclable plastics and metals
- housekeeping policies such as multiple use of towels and bed linen
- reduced use of cleaning materials and appliances
- carbon management and offsetting policies
- proximity to public transport hubs, stops and stations and local amenities
- supporting local communities and diversity of employment
Travelling and transport
Placing public transport and train over plane at its heart, IPE:
- does not support travel to and from airports or other points of arrival by taxi
- does not support travel by taxi between venues or any other two points in the cities where we organise our events
- promotes the use of trains over planes to cities that are 500km or fewer from the point of departure
- explores the use of electric and hybrid vehicles where possible
- promotes and encourages the use of public transports systems and walking where this is feasible
- seeks to form partnerships with flight and train operators with discounted fares and carbon offsetting initiatives
Sponsors and exhibitors
IPE's events are closed events and are built around strong relationships with sponsors and other partners that often have exhibition space as part of their networking drive. We engage with our sponsors and exhibitors to encourage:
- the use of public transport systems
- booking hotels that meet minimum sustainable standards
- exhibition stands that are reusable and reused
- exhibition giveaways that are not made of or contain single-use plastics that cannot be recycled
- reduced use of electricity and preference for LED-led devices
- avoiding electronic giveaways that are battery powered or produce hazardous waste
- reduced numbers of brochures and printed materials
- the use of recyclable paper and materials for any printed promotions
- the use of recyclable cups and plates or other items used for food and drink samples and/or giveaways
- waste materials should be kept to a minimum and disposed using dedicated waste management bins and methods
Accessibility
IPE's events attract diverse and dynamic people of all abilities and ensuring that each can access all aspects of our events at all stages of their organisation is a key consideration in our decision-making when assessing venues and our websites. This includes:
- a barrier-free website that includes a home page with a compliance rating of AA according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Click here to learn more
- ensuring barrier free parking spaces close to the venues where we organise our events
- ensuring venues are close to barrier-free or partially barrier-free public transport stops, stations or hubs
- ensuring venues offer step and barrier-free street-level or ramp access
- ensuring venues offer step and barrier-free and adapted assistive services, such as toilets and lifts
- ensuring conference rooms and spaces are step and barrier-free on one level
- ensuring inductive audio systems where possible
- ensuring catering stations are accessible to people in wheelchairs or people with other disabilities
- ensuring appropriate and adapted assistive furniture is available to people in wheelchairs
Travelling to the IPE Conference & Awards 2023 reference version
Booking your flight to Vienna
We actively encourage our attendees to make use of carbon offsetting initiatives as part of their flights to an IPE event.
This year, we benefit from a special discount with the Lufthansa Group, which includes Austrian Airlines and offers carbon offsetting as part of their fares.
Click here to book your flight and use this code GBAUNSX to benefit from the special discount that IPE has secured. To view the Lufthansa’s Group sustainability policy and carbon reduction management, click here.
Getting to the Hilton Vienna Park
Vienna has an extensive public transport network and we would encourage you to make use of this while attending the IPE Conference & Awards 2023 reference version. We would encourage you to avoid using taxis for any journey.
To underline our sustainability drive and assist you in your journey to the Hilton Vienna Park, we have a special offer at the CAT train service that runs regularly between Vienna International Airport and central Vienna. This is a 16-minute direct journey. You should get off at Wien Mitte from where the Hilton Vienna Park is no more than 5 minutes by foot through the Wien Mitte shopping mall. Please click here to view the details on Google Maps.
Book your ticket online at www.cityairporttrain.com and benefit from this special discount by adding the following code: IPE2023
Staying in Vienna during the IPE Conference & Awards 2023 reference version
Accommodation
IPE has reserved enough rooms to potentially accommodate all attendees at the Hilton Vienna Park, which is a green venue according to the Austrian Eco-label guidelines and as such holds the Umweltzeichen certificate. Were you to consider an alternative hotel¹, we would encourage that you select accommodation that is as close as possible to the event venue and that also carries the Umweltzeichen certificate. Please click here for a sample list of qualifying hotels.
Travelling between the Hilton Vienna Park and Hofburg Vienna
IPE is providing a shuttle service for all attendees to and from the Hilton Vienna Park and Hofburg Vienna on 28 November. Vienna is a beautiful compact city and if you wish from the Hilton Vienna Park to the Hofburg Vienna for the IPE European Pension Fund Awards drinks reception and dinner and ceremony, it will take around 20-30 minutes, depending on the route. Please click here to view the suggested routes on Google Maps.
Disposing of waste and other considerations
The Hilton Vienna Park makes use of compartment bins for paper/card, plastics and general waste throughout the venue. Please use the appropriate compartment for any waste you need to dispose of during the IPE Conference & Awards 2023. Bins in the rooms are not segregated but the Hilton Vienna Park filters all bins once guests have checked out during the cleaning process. We would also encourage you to make use of the room policy not to change towels or bed linen during your stay. Please remember to return your badge to IPE for recycling. Special recycle bins will be available at the registration desk.
(1) Please note that IPE does not cover the cost of any alternative accommodation for qualifying delegates unless allocated by IPE
Accessibility at the IPE Conference & Awards 2023 reference version
Hilton Vienna Park
The Hilton Vienna Park offers barrier-free street-level and fully assisted accessibility to its rooms, function areas and service areas. In addition, it is close to accessible public transport links, including the CAT Airport train, and offers barrier-free parking. Accessible rooms are available. LEARN MORE
Hofburg Vienna
The Hofburg Vienna offers barrier-free street-level and fully assisted accessibility via ramps, mobile wheelchair rails and lifts to its rooms and service areas, such as toilets. In addition, it is close to accessible public transport links and offers barrier-free parking. LEARN MORE
MAK Museum
The MAK Museum offers barrier-free entry via an access ramp at the main entrance on the Stubenring. In addition, it is close to accessible public transport links and barrier-free parking. All floors and toilets feature barrier-free accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible lifts. LEARN MORE