From Meetings Today, by Vincent Alonzo: On April 22, more than 10,000 Earth Day events unfolded across the globe—river cleanups in Bali, regenerative tourism pledges in Canada, LEED-certified renovations in Tampa, and a wave of “conscious luxury” messaging from hotel brands worldwide. The meetings and events industry showed up as well. On paper, at least…
To assist business events organisations to develop their own comprehensive sustainability strategies, IMEX is sharing details about its business philosophy, experiences, and implementation models. While industry progress remains uneven and the need for clear direction persists, the strategy positions sustainability as central to how the sector responds to risk, regulation and long-term resilience.
The Events Industry Council (EIC), in collaboration with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), has launched a targeted refinement of the EIC Sustainable Event Standards (SES), representing an important opportunity to further strengthen alignment across the industry’s leading sustainability frameworks. Contributions are welcome until 12 April 2026.
According to the post-event report, AGES 2026 facilitated 44 curated project pitches, representing an estimated $1.7 billion investment pipeline, alongside 677 confirmed matchmaking meetings between investors and project developers, and highlights a clear shift underway across Africa’s green and blue economy: from ambition and dialogue towards execution, deployment and scale. From VUKA Group…
This report provides insights into how the perceptions, experiences, concerns and thoughts of Amsterdam’s residents regarding local tourism issues have evolved. The study, by Inholland University of Applied Sciences, amsterdam&partners, & MMGY Global / TCI Research, found that Amsterdam’s residents do not oppose tourism per se, but call for a more thoughtful and balanced approach.
Is sustainability still relevant for international associations? In a shifting global landscape where policy commitments waver and priorities compete, this question has never been more important. We’ll examine the latest findings from ICCA x Destination Canada’s Association sustainability survey to understand where international associations stand now—caught between aspirations and the realities of implementation.
Social carrying capacity is increasingly used to guide sustainable destination management, yet many destinations still struggle to translate the concept into practical, place-specific strategies. Our next Feeling the Pulse webinar explores this through an academic lens with two distinct sessions, each featuring unique content. You’ll get insights from a pilot study in Garda Trentino informed…
Social carrying capacity is increasingly used to guide sustainable destination management, yet many destinations still struggle to translate the concept into practical, place-specific strategies. Our next Feeling the Pulse webinar explores this through an academic lens with two distinct sessions, each featuring unique content. You’ll get insights from a pilot study in Garda Trentino informed…
Experienced sustainability practitioner and impact consultant Jessica Vandy takes issue with the inappropriate and reputation-damaging misuse of sustainability terminology such as “regenerative”, a slowly growing trend that she argues is infiltrating event websites, venue brochures and destination marketing. Credibility and trust are essential attributes, and sloppy use of language is putting these at risk.
European city destination leaders gathered in Barcelona in February for the 19th CityDNA CEO Meeting. Hosting the meeting in Barcelona was symbolic – few cities have more visibly navigated the political, social and structural pressures surrounding urban tourism. European destination CEOs addressed a central reality: the role of the Destination Management Organisation has fundamentally evolved.
Following its traditional evolutionary approach to destination sustainability metrics, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement has focused on consolidation, precision and alignment with global sustainability frameworks, enabling the Index to function even more effectively as a rigorous improvement-in-performance programme for destinations around the world.
Northstar Meetings Group has collaborated with industry experts isla to create unique online learning courses for event organisers, one for beginners (The Sustainable Events Course) and one for those looking to further their existing knowledge (The Advanced Sustainable Events Course). Watch and learn at a pace suited to you with these on-demand courses.
Traditionally, tourism and economic development were treated as two distinct functions, but this model has evolved over recent decades, as destinations recognise that these are two sides of the same coin. Visitors, investors, talent and residents are responding to the same fundamentals: quality of life, connectivity, innovation, culture, sustainability, and opportunity. From City Nation Place…
US withdrawal from over 60 international organisations (with many more still under review) has huge ramifications for American participation in and funding support for numerous international conferences around the world, and is also likely to significantly damage the US’s ability to attract and host any international conferences in related fields. From CNN…
It’s been a year since Destination North East England launched the first-of-its-kind Regenerative Visitor Economy Framework, developed in partnership with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. Check out progress and the toolkit used to achieve a wide range of positive outcomes, relating to both business events and general tourism. Stories from North East England: Travel that…
This is not another conference – it’s a living lab where destination leaders convene to co-create a bold new blueprint for regenerative impact, resilience, and courage. Through collaborative workshops, deep dialogue, and peer-to-peer learning, we will prototype solutions for the pressing challenges of climate disruption and social change. Join us to harness our collective intelligence…
Under an MoU signed in Hamburg, organisers will collaborate with Singapore Tourism Board to bring three conferences to Asia Pacific as the renewable energy industry becomes crucial to the environment. Another example of destinations using business event strategy to turbo-charge the development of key economic sectors. From MIX Business Events Magazine…
Destination Canada’s three-year Legacy & Impact Study highlights the long-term economic, social and environmental benefits of major events hosted in Canada. This case study examines the legacy of the One Young World (OYW) Summit, held in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke from September 18 to 21, 2024. Connecting emerging leaders from around the globe, the Summit catalyzed youth-led action…
ICCA and Destination Canada have unveiled The State of Sustainability in Associations Report, revealing that while global associations increasingly value sustainability, many still struggle to turn commitment into measurable action. According to the study, 66% of international associations rate sustainability as very or extremely important, up from 60% in 2023, but consistent implementation remains elusive.
Dubai will shortly have a new resource and additional motivation to attract international events specialising in environmental and circular economy fields, as such events will include potential investors, start-ups, and individuals who are potential employees of companies that base themselves in this new zone. From Meetings & Conventions Asia…
This inaugural, invite-only business and professional events Global Policy Forum is a collaborative initiative between ECA, UFI – the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, and MAD Event Management. The focus will be on key public policy issues shaping events around the world, including: sustainability; talent; and international travel and commerce. From ECA…
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