Beyond Eco-Friendly: Putting Sustainability at the Center of Meetings and Events

This content was created collaboratively by Destination DC and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.

It’s difficult to find a topic more discussed in the events world than sustainability. While not a new subject, sustainability’s definition has taken on a life of its own over the last few years. What began as a way to think about making meetings and events more eco-friendly has evolved into implementing steps to create an ecosystem for meetings, events, and conferences — as well as their host destination — to thrive.

Fifty-eight percent of American Express Global Meetings and Events Forecast respondents say their meetings and events policy has explicit language about sustainability, and 39 percent say the same about using diverse suppliers. North America leads the regions in those numbers. According to the U.S. Travel Association, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of executives want to increase sustainable corporate travel choices — even if it costs more.

In this report, Skift Meetings and Destination DC partnered to examine the importance of building a sustainable ecosystem for events from the perspectives of planners, attendees, and the host destination.

1. Beacons of Innovation and Sustainability

Since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015, world capitals have made conscious efforts to meet tangible benchmarks — with some deadlines less than a decade from today. The desired result is to preserve natural resources — environmental, cultural, etc. — while creating a destination conducive to conducting business. Washington, DC, for example, is considered among the greenest destinations in the nation and is the world's first LEED Platinum city. Its commitment to the health and well-being of its environment and citizens makes it one of the top meeting destinations among planners. Indeed, the question is not whether an organization can hold a responsible meeting in DC but rather how they will do so in a manner synchronized with the business event’s mission and agenda. 

2. A Clean Start

There is a demand for a more sustainable business events industry across generations. However, planners must consider attendees' expectations, not just for environment-friendly options but also for the event experience. Some groups may willingly accept vegan menus, while others may set their goals differently. Organizations seeking to improve their sustainability efforts may consider hiring a consultant and working with DMOs that can manage the social, economic, and environmental impacts of business events. From a destination’s perspective, an active DMO can guide incoming meetings to sustainable choices so local residents feel assured that an event positively impacts the city. For example, Destination DC’s sustainability mission aligns with local and federal initiatives to preserve the city’s resources.

3. Next-Level Thought Leadership

Given the importance organizations place on sustainability, education can provide valuable advice and context for delegates. Planners can take advantage of local talent who can speak to issues affecting relevant industries and a meeting’s host destination. Washington’s distinction as the nation’s capital provides access to political and business leaders from across the globe, offering planners a plethora of educational opportunities and unique venues specific to the city. Beyond members of Congress and ambassadors, keynotes in the area include Mayor Muriel Bowser, who can speak to DC’s sustainability efforts, and Washington Spirit soccer player Anna Heilferty, the ambassador of Sustainable DC.

4. Moving Forward

Electric vehicles are commonplace on the road, and many major cities offer public transportation to get around areas that are not necessarily walkable. However, the biggest advance in reducing the carbon footprint for business events would be if the airline industry achieves its goal of net-zero flights by 2050. The major air carriers are researching alternative fuels at a time when demand is soaring at a trajectory that is only expected to increase. In the meantime, organizations must factor in the environmental toll of flying hundreds or thousands of attendees to a destination for their event. There are several tangible ways to offset aviation emissions, from selecting sites within driving distance of most attendees to tree-planting initiatives. 

5. Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

The ability to produce an event that reaches the broadest audience possible speaks to the ideals espoused by eco-friendly pushes such as the ones described above. As a result, DEI is now a critical element of sustainability drives. With historical and cultural sites of great interest, Washington sets an example for emphasizing accessibility and inclusion for business gatherings.  Most major venues, including Smithsonian museums, Capital One Arena, and WEWCC, are ADA-compliant. Many museums have innovative accessibility programs and provide unique backdrops for receptions, galas, and special events.

In this report, you’ll also find:

• The importance of innovation and sustainability
• Setting sustainability goals from the inception of your event
• Having access to top-tier thought leaders
• Offsetting attendee travel
• Improving accessibility and inclusion as an element of sustainability
• Seeking out revitalized buildings and venues to showcase the future
• New and upcoming projects reflecting the commitment to sustainability

This content was created collaboratively by Destination DC and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.