The Centre for Sustainable Events was launched at IMEX America with the support of presenting sponsor, MGM Resorts International, and founding sponsor IMEX Group.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA – The Events Industry Council (EIC) is demonstrating its commitment to driving bold change in the global events industry with the launch of the EIC Centre for Sustainable Events. The EIC board established the Centre to provide resources designed to increase the adoption of sustainable practices across the industry, and to support a stronger alignment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“The events industry’s economic, environmental and social impact puts it on par with that of major nations,” commented Amy Calvert, Events Industry Council CEO. “This creates both the opportunity and the responsibility to take coordinated actions to magnify our influence.” The Events Industry Council has established the virtual Centre to serve as the nexus for sustainability resources and research specific to our industry.
The Centre for Sustainable Events was launched at IMEX America with the support of presenting sponsor, MGM Resorts International, and founding sponsor IMEX Group. “At MGM, we are honoured to be the presenting sponsor of the new Centre for Sustainable Events,” said Yalmaz Siddiqui, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability for MGM Resorts International. “As a company that hosts many meetings and conventions, we know how important it is to provide sustainable options to our customers. We are finding more and more meeting planners are interested in collaborating to help protect the planet and improve society. EIC’s new Centre will help drive further adoption of these practices.” Affirming the importance of sustainable practices to their business, Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, commented, “Sustainability has long been one of our core company values, with initiatives spearheaded throughout both of our shows as well as within our own teams. We recognise the responsibility we all have – both professionally and personally – to bring about a number of positive changes in the world. This begins with education and with collaboration – and we’re delighted to be working with EIC on the launch of this invaluable new resource.”
A central initiative of the new Centre is the release of the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. Formerly the APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards, these guidelines maintain the same level of rigour, while improving their ease of use and adoptability. In addition to environmental criteria, greater emphasis has been placed on regional relevance, social justice, accessibility, and diversity and inclusion. As part of EIC’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking, training will be a requirement to achieve one of the four certification levels. The standards are being released in a one-year provisional status to allow for additional input from early adopters. More than 100 of the industry’s leading practitioners, including representation from 15 countries, contributed to the development of the new standards.
EIC’s board chair, Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, remarked, “The Centre will provide the sustainability education our industry needs for us to make a collective impact on the climate crisis as well as champion social and economic community needs.” Resources available through the virtual centre will include online reference materials, on-demand education via EIC’s new learning management system, monthly webinars and access to education from EIC’s 33 member organisations. Wehmeir added, “The Centre will coordinate global, industry-wide collaboration with intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, industry associations and sustainability thought-leaders to accelerate sustainable practices, increase resiliency and support innovation in our industry.”
The Centre will continue to deliver EIC’s existing sustainability programmes including the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate, Principles for Sustainable Events and Annual State of Sustainability survey.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
