Geneva Tourism & Convention published the first edition of a series of educative resources for event and conference organisers. The Sustainable Events Guide aims to serve as a valuable resource, facilitating the adoption of sustainable practices among industry professionals, by giving them clear, actionable advice, to make sustainable event management accessible and approachable. Its objective is to provide localised, destination-specific information to support sustainable event planning. The core focus is on facilitating connections between the right people and consolidating relevant resources in one accessible place.
Over the years, Geneva hosted many international events, conferences, and conventions. Organisers increasingly expressed the need for sustainable solutions for their event. Geneva is home to numerous local stakeholders and sustainability initiatives, yet event organisers often struggle to identify the appropriate solutions and connect with the right people to support their sustainability goals.
“Our aim is to serve as a bridge, connecting planners with the local sustainability ecosystem,” says, Adrien Genier director of the Geneva Tourism & Convention Foundation. “By facilitating these relationships, we empower industry professionals to collaborate with the right partners and implement impactful, environmentally conscious practices throughout their events.”
The Sustainable Events Guide consolidates relevant local resources, and contact information, streamlining access to Geneva’s sustainability ecosystem. Divided into nine chapters, the guide provides clear, actionable advice on topics such as destination, food, waste management, venues and hotels, transport, diversity and inclusion, impact and legacy, governance, and communication.
“Sustainability often falls lower on the priority list when planning a conference, as event organisers must navigate a multitude of variables depending on the destination,” explained, Laura Alonso Huarte, sustainability manager at Geneva Tourism. “With this resource, our objective is to make sustainable event management accessible and approachable, empowering organisers to easily integrate eco-conscious practices into their conferences.”
The guide is not intended as a rigid checklist, but rather as a source of inspiration for industry professionals to explore sustainable solutions tailored to their unique needs and preferences. By equipping event organisers with the knowledge and confidence to incorporate sustainability, the Geneva Tourism & Convention Foundation aims to facilitate the adoption of responsible practices in the events industry.
Most of the thematic chapters follow a consistent format, including an introduction to the topic, “Did you know?” sections highlighting sustainability initiatives in Geneva, lists of relevant service providers updated annually, detailed recommendations for concrete actions, and a checklist to facilitate the monitoring of implemented measures. This streamlined approach ensures the guide is user-friendly and enables event planners to easily identify the information and resources they need to enhance the sustainability of their events in Geneva.
The Responsible Events Guide is available on the Geneva Tourism & Convention website. Event organisers and industry professionals can also subscribe to the Geneva Convention Bureau newsletter to receive educational resources on various topics.
