Events Industry Council News

Author name: EIC Editorial Team

CMP Fellows, Futures Landscape, Research

Understanding the Evolving Mobility Landscape for Business Events

When thinking about the mobility landscape as it pertains to business events, you are faced with an astonishing web of separate but connected industries such as air transport and ground

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Marcus Eng, CMP Fellow, DES

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Senior Director of Meeting Operations

Marcus Eng, CMP Fellow, DES, is the Senior Director of Meeting Operations at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a trade association representing more than 1,500 public and private sector organizations involved in public transit in the U.S. and Canada. As part of APTA’s meetings team, Marcus helps produce more than 15 major face-to-face meetings throughout the country, including APTA’s annual meeting and expo, which attracts more than 10,000 attendees.

Economic Significance of Business Events Study
Advocacy, Industry News, Research

EIC Announces Plans for the 2026 Economic Significance Study and Releases Latest Global Business Events Barometer

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (29 January 2026) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today announced the

EIC Announces Plans for the 2026 Economic Significance Study and Releases Latest Global Business Events Barometer Read Post »

Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

Why ESG Adoption Matters for Our Industry

As event professionals, we’re navigating an increasingly unpredictable world — political and economic turbulence, climate driven disruptions, heightened social expectations, and accelerating regulatory pressure. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices

Why ESG Adoption Matters for Our Industry Read Post »

Rachael Riggs

Maritz

GM, Environmental Strategy

Sustainable trade show with green innovation focus
Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

Advancing Events Through the Environmental, Social and Governance Framework.

The ESG acronym has moved well beyond buzzword status in our industry. I believe it is important — as much as possible — to keep the words of environment, social

Advancing Events Through the Environmental, Social and Governance Framework. Read Post »

Gwendal Castellan

Destination Vancouver

Manager, Sustainable Destination Development

Gwendal Castellan manages Tourism Vancouver’s sustainable destination development program. At Destination Vancouver he uses the wholistic approach to building a tourism industry that is centred in the purpose of transforming communities and visitors through the power of travel. Gwendal is also the 2026 Chair of the EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee. 

CMP Fellows, CMPs, Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

ESG: The Next Chapter in Event Design

If there’s one acronym dominating conversations in our industry right now, it’s ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance. What started as a sustainability conversation has evolved into a holistic framework that touches every aspect of event planning. It’s no longer about checking a box; it’s about creating experiences that reflect values, deliver measurable impact, and foster lasting change.

ESG: The Next Chapter in Event Design Read Post »

Meredith Flanagan, CMP Fellow, CMM

Gensler

Director, Meetings and Events

Meredith Flannagan, CMP Fellow, CMM, is an accomplished meetings and events leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering high-impact corporate and experiential events across global organisations. She currently serves as Director of Meetings & Events at Gensler and is an active member of EIC’s Sustainability and Social Impact Committee, where she helps advance inclusive and sustainable event practices worldwide.

A business ecosystem summit, with leaders from various sectors discussing innovation and sustainability in a futuristic, eco-conscious setting.
Blog, Futures Landscape, Research, Sustainable Events

Evolving the Business Model: How Sustainability Is Reshaping the Meetings Industry

In 2022, ConferenceDirect committed, through the SME Climate Hub, to reducing our carbon footprint by 30% by 2030. As one of the larger companies in the meetings industry, we recognized

Evolving the Business Model: How Sustainability Is Reshaping the Meetings Industry Read Post »

Larry Hanson

ConferenceDirect

Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer

With more than 35 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Larry Hanson serves as Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer at ConferenceDirect. In this multifaceted role, he oversees marketing strategy, recruiting, sustainability initiatives, and conference management operations.

Throughout his career, Larry has led teams, managed complex budgets, and inspired creativity across diverse projects. Passionate about sustainability both personally and professionally, he champions responsible practices that drive long-term impact both for ConferenceDirect and their customers. A lifelong learner, Larry thrives in the ever-evolving world of hospitality and events and looks forward to collaborating with industry peers to shape a more sustainable future.

escalators
Futures Landscape, Research, Sustainable Events

Rethinking Accessibility at Events

We’ve all heard it before: “This event wasn’t fully accessible.” But do we truly understand what accessibility means? For many, accessibility first brings to mind physical features—ramps, elevators, or restrooms

Rethinking Accessibility at Events Read Post »

Elena Fis, Sustainability Manager at Kenes Group

Elena Fis holds a Sustainable Event Professional Certificate and has been a member of the EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee since 2024. She is also collaborating with IAPCO and became a member of IAPCO EDI and sustainability committee consulting on various initiatives and supporting Meetings and events industry in this area.

Elena been part of the Kenes Group for more than a decade. In 2023 she was promoted to Kenes Sustainability Officer and in November 2024 was named a global Sustainability Manager in the company. She had taken on a bigger task at hand: to develop Kenes Group’s internal and external sustainability policies, develop sustainability strategies for Kenes clients and PCO’s original events, support Kenes association clients, implement the processes and practices that will include gender equality, responsible consumption and production, quality education and good health and well-being.

EIC Sustainability
Case Study, EIC Members, Sustainable Events

Case Study: Visit Denver’s Journey to Sustainable Event Certification

The Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact stands at the forefront of driving meaningful change in the global events industry. By providing globally relevant resources, we empower event professionals to adopt sustainable and socially impactful practices, fostering a pan-industry commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Case Study: Visit Denver’s Journey to Sustainable Event Certification Read Post »

sustainability
EIC Members, Strategic Partners, Sustainable Events

Championing Sustainability in the Global Business Events Industry

In an era where environmental responsibility has become a critical consideration in every sector, the global business events industry is no exception. With a large-scale impact on resources, energy consumption, waste, and carbon emissions, the events industry bears a significant responsibility in ensuring its operations align with sustainability principles.

Championing Sustainability in the Global Business Events Industry Read Post »

CMPs, Industry News, Workforce

CMP Certification Evolves to Reflect the Skills Needed to Be a Successful Event Professional in Our Fast-Changing World

In an ever-evolving events industry, adapting, innovating and creating relevant and engaging experiences is essential for success. EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification, long considered the gold standard for event

CMP Certification Evolves to Reflect the Skills Needed to Be a Successful Event Professional in Our Fast-Changing World Read Post »

Sustainable Event
CMPs, Sustainable Events

Five Ways to Make Your Events More Sustainable

Sustainable events are moving from a topic of conversation to becoming a priority for event organisers as part of sound business practices. In addition to creating a more sustainable and equitable future, sustainable events enhance brand reputation, generate cost savings, ensure regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, attract talent, create value, and drive innovation.

Five Ways to Make Your Events More Sustainable Read Post »

Stephanie Jones, CAE, CMP-Fellow, DES

Stephanie Jones is the Managing Director, Professional Development and Event Strategy with the Water Environment Federation and a member of EIC’s Sustainability and Social Impact Committee. Stephanie led the sustainability and social impact efforts for WEFTEC 2023, which received a Gold Level certification to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards and was a finalist for the 2023 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award.

Events Industry Council Announces Global Futures Landscape Survey
Research

Events Industry Council Announces Global Futures Landscape Survey

The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, today announced an ambitious survey of events industry leaders and meeting professionals as part of a year-long project examining the emerging issues and supporting trends that are most likely to shape the events industry in the years to come.

Events Industry Council Announces Global Futures Landscape Survey Read Post »

OVG Partnership
EIC Members, Strategic Partners, Sustainable Events

Events Industry Council and Oak View Group Announce Strategic Partnership

Today, the Events Industry Council (EIC) announced a new strategic partnership with Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in sustainable venue operations. The partnership – the largest of its kind in scale – will allow the Oak View Group convention center portfolio to deepen its commitment to sustainability and better support the green meeting and exhibition aspirations of its clients and partners.

Events Industry Council and Oak View Group Announce Strategic Partnership Read Post »

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