Committed to organising environmentally aware events
For years now, it has been a major concern of ours to consider what effect the things we do have on the environment, and to reduce any negative impact as far as possible. For us this isn’t just an option any more, it’s a basic conviction. We’ve deepened our knowledge of the issues involved, we’ve gathered experience, put measures in place and committed ourselves to it BODY AND SOUL.
At the same time we know that every event consumes resources – that’s a fact. We’re under no illusions there. But we also know every step counts, no matter how small. Organisers and attendees have a head start with us: as a Green Location the Festspielhaus Bregenz already meets key criteria for sustainable event planning. Because the congress centre is located across from the central railway station, organisers and attendees can happily leave their cars at home. Energy-saving technical devices and LED lighting as well as sophisticated waste management ensure a comparatively low CO2 footprint.
On top of this, the Festspielhaus Bregenz is able to certify Green Meetings & Events – we successfully got our licence renewed as recently as March 2023. Correctly conceived and implemented, Green Meetings & Events reduce not only emissions but also costs. Environmentally aware organisers conserve resources by means of digital communication, avoid giveaways, and reuse equipment and material. They also show the way when it comes to food and drink: our certified catering partner conjures up delicious fare in the in-house kitchen using regional and seasonal ingredients. That keeps the mileage low for fruit and vegetables, too!
Ongoing modifications to the Festspielhaus Bregenz and the adoption of a new heating and energy plan will allow the congress centre to do without fossil fuels completely in the future. As part of the Climate Strategy 2030 of the municipality of Bregenz – the Vorarlberg State capital – the Festspielhaus Bregenz along with the new indoor swimming pool next to it and a nearby district that’s being redeveloped will be heated and cooled by heat pumps and the use of water from Lake Constance. Not only that, but the congress centre’s roofs will undergo greening, by means of which the room temperature in summer can be lowered by as much as four degrees. Work is now complete, and soon the first colourful flowers and grasses will emerge.
Final touches on a roof
Last but not least, energy consumption by our own team is of great importance to us. To illustrate this, we have acquired work bicycles for our team members, who now as dedicated pedallers cover kilometres in an environmentally friendly fashion. Which also keeps us fit! As do the weekly yoga sessions, in which we replenish our energy reserves. This also strengthens our own in-house Environment Team, who help keep colleagues on track when it comes to sustainability. Let’s all make that journey together!
Gerhard Stübe
General Manager, Kongresskultur Bregenz GmbH