The Latin American Federation of Banks (FELABAN) recently hosted its 58th Annual Assembly in Asunción, Paraguay. The event drew more than 1,800 banking leaders and stakeholders from across the region, serving as a platform for dialogue, networking, and collaboration within Latin America’s financial industry.
In alignment with its commitment to sustainability, FELABAN pursued certification under the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards and achieved the impressive Bronze-level certification — demonstrating that sustainability in events is not a constraint but a catalyst for innovation and impact. FELABAN proved that even large-scale, complex gatherings can be both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive without compromising the quality of the experience.
The Approach
FELABAN’s organisers strived to achieve:
- Integrate sustainability across all phases of event planning and delivery.
- Ensure events inclusivity and accessibility
- Reduce the environmental footprint while contributing positively to the host community.
- Establish a replicable framework for future financial sector events.
The Process
The comprehensive certification process required FELABAN organisers to implement and provide proof of impact across the following key domains:
- Organisational Management – Governance policies embedding sustainability in decision-making.
- Marketing, Communication, and Engagement – Transparent reporting and stakeholder education on sustainability initiatives.
- Climate Action and Water Management – Strategies for carbon footprint mitigation and responsible water use.
- Materials and Supply Chain – Circular practices and sustainable sourcing.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – A formal DEI policy addressing language, culture, gender, ability, and accessibility.
- Social Impact – Charitable contributions and partnerships with sustainable community projects.
Lessons Learned
- Holistic planning is essential: sustainability must be embedded from the earliest stages, not added later.
- Stakeholder engagement increases impact: transparency in communication builds trust and positions the event as a leader in responsible practices.
- Replicability matters: the FELABAN model provides a blueprint for other large-scale professional gatherings.
The path forward is clear: sustainability is no longer an option; it is and imperative of success. FELABAN’s leadership lights the way for event professionals worldwide to design business events that shape not only industries, but also a more sustainable future.
