PPA Cares: Our Commitment to a Greener Imaging USA 

At PPA, we're passionate about photography as well as doing our part to protect the environment. The PPA Cares Green Initiative is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of Imaging USA, making it more sustainable for attendees, vendors, and the planet. Take a look at our achievements from our previous shows!

Continuing Our Commitment to Sustainability in Charlotte

Food Composting & Donations

• The Charlotte Convention Center helps reduce food waste through composting and food donation programs, like Stew for Sustainability, that support both the environment and the local community.
• Composting organic food scraps and compostable materials to reduce landfill waste.
• Partnering with local organizations to donate surplus food to those in need.

Sustainable by Design

• The Charlotte Convention Center is LEED Gold-certified, reflecting its commitment to sustainable operations and responsible design. Through energy-efficient systems, waste reduction practices, and the Charlotte Green Team initiative, the venue helps incorporate sustainability into their events.
• Water refill stations throughout the convention center help attendees stay hydrated while reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles.

Together, we're building on our commitment to a greener Imaging USA!

Wins from the 2026 Show

Committed to further reducing signage waste, we expanded the use of digital signage across the conference and continued to favor reusable materials like fabric over vinyl and plastics. These efforts allowed us to deliver the same incredible experience to our attendees while cutting down on single-use graphics. All excess event food was donated to the Nashville Rescue Mission in 2026.

Expanding Digital & Reusable Signage

• Expanded the use of digital signage throughout the conference to further reduce printed signage waste
• Continued prioritizing reusable fabric signage over single-use vinyl and plastic materials
• Continued printing attendee badges on recyclable materials 
• Reduced reliance on single-use graphics while maintaining the attendee experience

Continuing Our Sustainability Efforts

• Built on the progress made in 2025 by continuing to identify opportunities to reduce waste and reuse materials
• Focused on making more sustainable choices without compromising the attendee experience

Wins from the 2025 Show

Carpet Reuse & Recycling

• 93,000+ sq. ft. of carpet from aisles, booths, and show management recycled
• 85% of booth and aisle carpet returned to inventory for future use, a 10% increase from 2024
• 95% of carpet padding recycled and reused

Responsible Signage & Material Choices

• Fabric signage use increased by 150%
• Vinyl banners dropped by 90% (from 7,633 sq. ft. in 2024 to just 700 sq. ft. in 2025)
• Floor decals/clings cut by 13,000+ sq. ft.
• 100% recyclable signs

Keeping Plastic Use in Check

• Shrink wrap use decreased 30%
• Clear visqueen use dropped 30%, tabletop vinyl reduced by 25%
• Plastic badge holders discontinued

Moving Forward, How You Can Help

Even small choices add up. Here are a few ways attendees can travel and participate more sustainably at Imaging USA 2027:

• Connect with photographers through the Loop’s Imaging USA community or on Imaging USA’s Facebook event page to arrange a carpool or ride share to the airport or the conference!
• Bring your water bottle to refill on the go.
• Reuse towels in your hotel room to reduce laundry waste.
• Support local restaurants, markets, and coffee shops when exploring the Charlotte uptown area!

Together, we are excited to contribute to a greener Imaging USA. Thank you for your participation and stay tuned for more updates!