In a moment when organisations are rethinking how and why they bring people together, destinations that can deliver operational excellence, cultural richness, and future-ready infrastructure have become increasingly valuable. Catalonia […]
Catalonia: A World-Leading Destination for Business Events of Every Size Read Post »
This Spotlight is part of an ongoing series highlighting EIC Association and Corporate Members and the important work they are doing to serve our shared industry.
EIC Member Spotlight: IAEE Read Post »
This Events Industry Council webinar convened sustainability leaders from across the global business events ecosystem to explore how organisations can maintain momentum on climate action amid economic pressure, regulatory complexity,
Recalibrating Resources to Face Challenges While Honouring Climate Commitments Read Post »
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 »
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 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.
This Spotlight is part of an ongoing series highlighting EIC Association and Corporate Members and the important work they are doing to serve our shared industry.
EIC Member Spotlight: Marina Bay Sands Read Post »
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 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.
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing Futures Landscape Series, exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in EIC’s 2025 Futures Landscape Study.
ESG in Focus: Why Purpose, Performance and Accountability Now Go Hand in Hand Read Post »
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 »
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.
During the past five years we have experienced a seismic shift in the evolution of business events driven by new business models and urgent calls for sustainability, access and inclusiveness
Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director of Business Events at Destination Canada, has a tenacious determination to foster a regenerative meetings industry that benefits people, planet and place.
An innovative thinker with a highly collaborative approach, Virginie has extensive experience in business development, international operations and humanitarian aid – from leading international trade missions to managing coffee and cocoa operations in East Africa.
Accessibility has always been central to our industry’s purpose: bringing people together across physical, digital, and cultural barriers. But the next frontier asks us to go deeper. As our world
From Access to Capacity: Why Neuroinclusion Is the Next Frontier in Event Design Read Post »
Yush Sztalkoper, CMP, is the founder of NeuroSpark+, helping the events industry design for human sustainability through neuroinclusion and systems transformation. With almost two decades designing global corporate events at UBS, JPMorgan, and Gartner, she now pioneers neuroinclusion frameworks for the AI era—using the events industry as a laboratory for capacity-first approaches that reshape how we create human connection at scale.
Yush created The Human OS™, Root Reflection™ diagnostic, SHIFT Pathway™, and NeuroDesign™ methodology—a complete system that scales from individuals to entire industries, moving all from surviving to thriving.
As part of our Futures Landscape Series focus on Accessibility and Inclusion, Beth Surmont, CMP Fellow sat down with Samantha “Sam” Evans, ICE-CCP, CAE, MBA, Certification Director at IAAP (International
Accessibility Starts with the Design, Not the Request Read Post »
Beth Surmont is an event strategist who works with associations to reimagine their events. With experience in both corporate and non-profit events, and as the Head of Strategy & Design for 360 Live Media, Beth is a leading designer of the next era of events.
Artificial intelligence may be reshaping the way we plan, produce and personalise events—but one of its most powerful capabilities lies in its ability to make business events more accessible, inclusive and
Partner Insights: Creating More Accessible and Inclusive Events with AI Read Post »
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 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.
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing content series exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in EIC’s 2025 Futures Landscape Study. Each month,
The Future of Accessibility and Inclusion: Designing Events for Every Human Experience Read Post »
The exhibition and events industry is making visible strides toward a more sustainable future — and it’s doing so together. What began as a joint effort by the Exhibition Services
From Build to Breakdown: Sustainability in Exhibitions Read Post »
The exhibition and events industry is making visible strides toward a more sustainable future — and it’s doing so together. What began as a joint effort by the Exhibition Services
From Build to Breakdown: Sustainability in Exhibitions Read Post »
PCMA’s annual flagship event advances from Silver Certification, setting a new benchmark for sustainable business events WASHINGTON, D.C. (9 September 2025) – The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced today that
Convening Leaders 2025 Achieves Platinum Sustainable Event Standards Certification Read Post »
Destination Canada has taken a bold step toward embedding sustainability at the heart of its business events strategy. To date, 65 Canadians — including representatives from 21 Team Canada Partners and
Destination Canada Embeds Sustainability in Its Business Events Strategy Read Post »
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
FELABAN Paraguay — Advancing Sustainable Events in LATAM Read Post »
The team at Marina Bay Sands shares strategies for making sustainability and wellness a priority. Across the global business events industry, sustainability has irrevocably become top-of-mind for every destination, venue,
Prioritising Sustainability and Wellness in the Events Industry Read Post »
Sustainability in the business events industry was once narrowly associated with actions such as recycling bins and reducing paper use. Today, the dialogue has evolved into a far more comprehensive
Developing a Deeper View of Sustainability: Kate Hernandez, CMP Read Post »
The business events industry is at a pivotal moment where sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential. Today’s event organisers are rethinking every aspect of event design to integrate environmental responsibility
Learning by Example: First-Hand Account from Sustainability Innovators Read Post »
Human trafficking is a systemic problem that must be stopped. It is imperative that the business events industry does everything it can to raise awareness and leverage our collective power to do our part in the fight against human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Awareness Around the World Read Post »
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 »
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 »
PCMA’s annual event receives Silver Level Certification in its first year participating in the Events Industry Council’s program Today, the Events Industry Council announced that Convening Leaders 2024 (CL24), EIC
PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 Achieves Sustainable Event Standards Certification Read Post »
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 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.
In the events industry, we are committed to integrating best practices for the environment into our events while demonstrating corporate and individual commitment to sustainable practices. We are supporting the sustainability standards and guidelines, and raising awareness and educating employees, as well as event attendees, about the environment conservation.
Events Industry Embraces Earth Day Read Post »
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 »
