Digifest 2027 venue and accommodation

Digifest is held at the ICC, a venue in the centre of Birmingham, enabling easy and efficient access using public transport from across the UK.

The ICC is a short walk or tram ride from Birmingham New Street station. Taking the train is actively encouraged; the difference between a mile on the train and a mile in the car is 0.22 kg CO2e vs 0.07 kg CO2e. For those who need to use the car, carsharing is encouraged. If there are four people using one car, the carbon per person per mile is 0.05 kg.

The ICC holds the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for environmental management systems.

• A district-based scheme (Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Generator) is installed onsite to provide chilled water for air-conditioning, electricity and hot water for heating the ICC and buildings in the immediate vicinity, including Utilita Arena Birmingham. A publicly visible carbon calculator keeps track of the carbon dioxide savings, minimising the ICC’s carbon footprint and providing the ability to sell carbon credit
• Energy saving sensors are fitted and use reduced energy LED lighting where possible throughout the venue. The venue’s switch-off procedure ensures that energy use is kept to a minimum in event spaces and offices and that all equipment and lights are switched of when not in use, which is monitored via security
• All waste is treated, so that glass, cardboard and paper waste is separated and recycled. Waste that cannot be recycled or reused is incinerated to use for energy via a Birmingham City Council-run scheme at the nearby Tyseley Energy Waste Plant
• The ICC is involved in a pilot scheme to turn a flat roof into an eco-friendly environment and to increase insulation and ultimately enhance the landscape of flora and fauna to attract urban species to the environment. The roof provides a haven for the rare black redstart bird whose numbers are thought to be declining following increased development, and whose continuing presence in the city is precarious. The roof has also been designed to encourage ground nesting bees and wasps, invertebrates and other birds
• The ICC is also home to two 'Bee Hotels' to encourage Mason Bees
• The venue team has implemented many initiatives to demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and can support organisers to minimise or totally offset the carbon emissions of their conference

We work with exhibition suppliers who offer multiple display deliveries and re-use stands which further reduce the environmental impact vs traditional “space only” events.

We actively encourage exhibitors to be mindful of their environmental impact.

The approach we take with our exhibitions encourages the use of digital messaging, reducing the opportunity for printed materials, graphics and giveaways.

Our preference is to use digital signage at the event.

The Digifest event app significantly reduces the amount of printing needed at the event. Any event printing is now FSC certified and fully recyclable. All laminate or UV finishes have been removed from our marketing materials, ensuring that recycling can occur.

Our lanyards, when used, are made of bamboo and PET materials that are biodegradable.

We are committed to making our events sustainable and work hard to minimise the environmental impact of Digifest both locally and globally.

Our conference menus are meat‑free and shaped around fresh, locally sourced British produce wherever possible. This keeps the food seasonal, supports UK growers and suppliers, and helps reduce the carbon footprint of each Jisc event by up to half, compared with traditional event catering menus.

The ICC Birmingham uses an anaerobic digestion system for food waste, which further reduces the footprint of food waste. Crockery is reusable, and we encourage attendees to bring their own water bottle.