Geiger UK, the Europe-focused subsidiary of Lewiston, Maine-based distributor Geiger (PPAI 105182, D12) held its inaugural Geiger Green Live event on May 17. The trade show was the UK’s first and to-date largest event dedicated to sustainable products and marketing.

Geiger’s Green Focus: Geiger launched Geiger Green Live to showcase sustainable sourcing and ecological marketing in promotional products. The event aligns with the company’s Sustainability Pledge and commitments to environmentally friendly business practices.

Geiger Green Live was held at the Kia Oval in London. Home of the Surrey County Cricket Club, the venue was chosen for its own commitment to sustainable practices:

  • Sustainable energy sources
  • A comprehensive recycling policy
  • A location suited for easy use of public transport links

The Show: Geiger gathered an international roster of suppliers to the event, and attendees perused thousands of ecologically sensitive products, spoke with various experts and connected with peers.

Geiger Green Live’s education itinerary also included a diverse selection of speakers:

  • Lillian Wing is the global business development manager at TerraCycle, a global leader in sustainability with the mission to eliminate the idea of waste. TerraCycle has spearheaded unique solutions to solve our waste in over 20 countries in the last two decades. Wing’s session at Geiger Green Live was on eliminating the idea of waste by recycling the "non-recyclable."
  • Tristan Edmondson is head of responsible sourcing at Sedex where he leads the development of the methodology that sits behind the company’s tools and products. He spoke on responsible and ethical business practice in global supply chains at Geiger Green Live.
  • Geiger UK Procurement Director Steve Wickham also took to the stage at Geiger Green Live and shared the distributor’s sustainability strategy and the importance of collaboration in accomplishing eco-friendly goals.

In Their Words: Managing Director Vicky Kinasz, says, “Geiger Green Live was an incredible showcase for us and our supply partners to show how far our industry has moved forward in sustainable merchandise—I thank everyone for their support and contribution. Geiger is committed to driving the category forward and leading the way, as we announced earlier this year with our Geiger Sustainability Pledge. This will become an annual event for us as we continue on our journey to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of our organization, people and planet.”

Background: Previously BTC Group, founded in 1977, the company was acquired by Geiger in 2018. Geiger has grown its operations in Europe through the acquisitions of four more UK distributors—Berkshire-based Lancewich, London-based EMC Advertising Gifts, York-based Response Marketing and London-based Shout Promotional Merchandise—and in 2019 it opened a logistics office in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 2021, it opened a new sales office in Düsseldorf, Germany, to work in coordination with its German distribution facility in nearby Nettetal.