News Events November 6, 2025

CRA's new Charity Retail Conference venue: How ICC Wales aligns with our sustainability goals

Our flagship event - the annual conference, exhibition and awards dinner - is moving venues to ICC Wales in Newport. We’re there on Tuesday 23 – Wednesday 24 June 2026.

ICC Wales.

It’s a really exciting time for the CRA team as we work behind the scenes with the new venue to offer something fabulous for 2026. We think it’s a perfect fit to host our conference, given their commitment to sustainability.   

Sustainability at its core 

ICC Wales have a bold vision: 

‘Our vision is to become a totally green, environmentally friendly venue, continually reducing our carbon footprint, water consumption, and waste production – thereby ensuring our venue have the most positive impact possible on our community and environment.’ 

Here is how they are doing it: 

  • 100% LED lighting in the venue 

  • Convert oil waste into biodiesel 

  • Divert 100% of waste from landfill 

  • Food waste is processed to generate renewable electricity 

  • The venue is set in 93 hectares of maintained woodland offsetting 465 tonnes of CO2 every year 

  • Total CO2 emissions have reduced by a quarter since 2027 

  • Actively monitor water consumption to identify wastage and water technology installed in toilets 

  • Complimentary water refills with reusable bottles and sustainable disposables 

  • Source all their electricity from renewable sources (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) 

  • A dedicated Energy & Sustainability Manager taking this forward.

They are recognised 

They have a Green Key International accreditation, as well as having achieved the Green Dragon Environmental Standard Level Three and the Green Tourism award. They also sit on the AEV Sustainability Working Group and are a venue member of isla working towards sustainable events.  

ICC Wales sustainability credentials.
From the ICC Wales website

Local is best 

They also promote local suppliers and contractors, and CRA are working with ICC Wales to find local people to work on our conference – including our AV, photography and exhibition services.  

We won’t stop there 

We know there is always more to be done in the sustainability space, especially when it comes to large events like our annual conference, but we’re delighted to be on this new journey with a sustainable venue like ICC Wales for 2026 and 2027.  

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