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Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

Beyond the Juice Bar: Systematizing Wellbeing to Protect Event ROI

The direct costs of event planning have increased by 12.2% since 2019, according to the 2026 EIC Global Economic Significance of Business Events report. In light of escalating food and materials […]

Beyond the Juice Bar: Systematizing Wellbeing to Protect Event ROI Read Post »

August 21, 2026

By Erika Gonzalez

Sustainability and Social Impact Committee

Erika Gonzalez
Erika Gonzalez

Sustainability and Social Impact Committee

A member of EIC’s Sustainability and Social Impact Committee, Erika Gonzalez is a sustainability and systems professional with experience across corporate climate initiatives, food systems, hospitality, and cross-functional program delivery. She specializes in translating complex sustainability priorities, data, and standards into practical, scalable guidance for organizations and industry stakeholders.

CMPs, Sustainable Events

Wellness Washing… Is Our Industry All Talk?

I have built the wellness lounge, I’ve budgeted the smoothie bar, booked the 7 a.m. body weight workout instructor, sourced the puppies for the cuddle pit, and found an empty

Wellness Washing… Is Our Industry All Talk? Read Post »

August 21, 2026

By Liz Lathan, CMP

Club Ichi

Co-founder and Chief Community Officer

Liz Lathan, CMP
Liz Lathan, CMP

Club Ichi

Co-founder and Chief Community Officer

Liz Lathan, CMP, is an experiential strategist, community builder and co-founder of Club Ichi, a private membership community for B2B event marketers. A former corporate event leader with more than 20 years of experience at companies including Dell and IBM, she also leads The Community Factory, helping organisations create human-centred event experiences that spark meaningful connection and year-round engagement.

CMP Fellows, CMPs, Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

The Calendar Is Breaking: What Climate Change Is Actually Doing to Event Planning

The first thing experienced event professionals like myself will tell you when this topic comes up is that they’ve always had a rain plan. The outdoor evening event with the

The Calendar Is Breaking: What Climate Change Is Actually Doing to Event Planning Read Post »

June 25, 2026

By Liz Lathan, CMP

Club Ichi

Co-founder and Chief Community Officer

Liz Lathan, CMP
Liz Lathan, CMP

Club Ichi

Co-founder and Chief Community Officer

Liz Lathan, CMP, is an experiential strategist, community builder and co-founder of Club Ichi, a private membership community for B2B event marketers. A former corporate event leader with more than 20 years of experience at companies including Dell and IBM, she also leads The Community Factory, helping organisations create human-centred event experiences that spark meaningful connection and year-round engagement.

EIC Members, Futures Landscape, Member Spotlight, Sustainable Events

Walking in the Same Direction: A Question for the Tourism Industry

Several years ago at an industry conference, a young professional waited quietly until the room cleared after a panel discussion. When he finally approached, he didn’t ask for a business

Walking in the Same Direction: A Question for the Tourism Industry Read Post »

March 25, 2026

By Jason Dunn, Sr.

National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

CEO

Jason Dunn, Sr.
Jason Dunn, Sr.

National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

CEO

As CEO of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, Jason Dunn, Sr. leads initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion within the tourism industry. His work emphasizes collaboration and community empowerment, leveraging expertise in event planning to create opportunities that foster growth and representation.

Research, Sustainable Events

Belonging By Design: Operationalizing DEI Across the Event Lifecycle

The Futures Landscape Study 2025 identifies Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a key force shaping the industry’s future. Increasingly, belonging is becoming an operational outcome of well-designed events. As

Belonging By Design: Operationalizing DEI Across the Event Lifecycle Read Post »

March 16, 2026

By Erika Gonzalez

Sustainability and Social Impact Committee

Erika Gonzalez
Erika Gonzalez

Sustainability and Social Impact Committee

A member of EIC’s Sustainability and Social Impact Committee, Erika Gonzalez is a strategy and operations professional with experience spanning sustainability implementation, hospitality, food systems, cross-functional project management, and organizational operations. With roots in hospitality management and sustainable tourism, she brings a people-centered approach to translating complex priorities into practical, scalable solutions.

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 »

January 28, 2026

By Rachael Riggs

Maritz

GM, Environmental Strategy

Rachael Riggs
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 »

January 20, 2026

By Gwendal Castellan

Destination Vancouver

Manager, Sustainable Destination Development

Gwendal Castellan
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 »

January 13, 2026

By Meredith Flanagan, CMP Fellow, CMM

Gensler

Director, Meetings and Events

Meredith Flanagan, CMP Fellow, CMM
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 »

December 16, 2025

By Larry Hanson

ConferenceDirect

Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer

Larry Hanson
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.

Futures Landscape, Sustainable Events

The Catalytic Effects of Business Events: Evolving Business Models in the Business Events Sector

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

The Catalytic Effects of Business Events: Evolving Business Models in the Business Events Sector Read Post »

December 9, 2025

By Virginie De Visscher

Destination Canada

Executive Director, Business Events

Virginie De Visscher
Virginie De Visscher

Destination Canada

Executive Director, Business Events

 

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.

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 »

November 18, 2025
CMPs, Futures Landscape, Research, Sustainable Events

From Access to Capacity: Why Neuroinclusion Is the Next Frontier in Event Design

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 »

November 14, 2025

By Yush Sztalkoper, CMP

NeuroSpark+ | Neuroinclusion & Human Capacity

Founder

Yush Sztalkoper, CMP
Yush Sztalkoper, CMP

NeuroSpark+ | Neuroinclusion & Human Capacity

Founder

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.

CMP Fellows, CMPs, Futures Landscape, Research, Sustainable Events

Accessibility Starts with the Design, Not the Request

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 »

November 12, 2025

By Beth Surmont, CMP Fellow, CAE, FASAE

Event Strategy and Design

Head of Strategy and Design

Beth Surmont, CMP Fellow, CAE, FASAE
Beth Surmont, CMP Fellow, CAE, FASAE

Event Strategy and Design

Head of Strategy and Design

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.

 

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 »

November 10, 2025

By Elena Fis, Sustainability Manager at Kenes Group

Elena Fis, Sustainability Manager at Kenes Group
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 »

November 18, 2024
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 »

May 27, 2024
Stephanie Jones, CAE, CMP-Fellow, DES
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.

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 »

May 23, 2024
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