The Events Industry Council (EIC), in collaboration with the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), has announced the next phase of its targeted refinement of the Sustainable Event Standards (SES).
Supported by the Javits Center as presenting strategic sponsor, this phase activates a structured, industry-wide review process designed to ensure the Standards remain clear, practical and responsive to evolving expectations.
More than 200 volunteer professionals from across regions and sectors are expected to contribute their expertise to help shape the next iteration of the Standards which are designed to provide a comprehensive framework for event organisers and suppliers to implement and measure sustainable practices across the events ecosystem. The partners say this refinement builds on that foundation to ensure continued relevance in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.
From framework to action
The refinement process is now underway through cross-sector working groups, bringing together industry practitioners to review and enhance specific areas of the Standards.
The scope of the refinement includes:
- Improving clarity and usability of language
- Updating content to reflect evolving industry practices and frameworks
- Making targeted adjustments aligned with current best practices
“This next phase is about translating a strong foundation into even greater clarity and usability for the industry,” said Amy Calvert, president and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “Our goal is to ensure the Sustainable Event Standards continue to serve as a practical, globally relevant framework – one that helps organisations move from intention to action with confidence.”
A central objective of this work is to support greater alignment across the sustainability ecosystem, helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex landscape of frameworks, standards and reporting requirements.
“Industry collaboration is essential if we are to accelerate progress toward more sustainable events,” said Alexander Alles, executive director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council. “This refinement represents an important opportunity to strengthen alignment between the Sustainable Event Standards, the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative and broader global initiatives. Greater collaboration will help simplify how organisations approach sustainability and provide clearer, more practical pathways for the industry to move forward.”
Members of EIC and JMIC, as well as other stakeholders, met last week during IMEX Frankfurt to explore how they can better align, reducing duplication, improving interoperability and making implementation more accessible across the industry.
To guide this work, EIC has convened committees representing key areas of the Standards, each led by industry co-chairs.
The working group review process is now underway, with input being gathered from across the global business events community. Insights from this phase will inform the next iteration of the Standards.
