Introducting EIC's CSSI 2030 Strategy

By Claudia van’t Hullenaar, Founder & Managing Director, Sustained Impact

In a rapidly changing world that places sustainability and net zero strategies at the core of businesses, it is essential for all sectors, including the meetings and events industry. Therefore, this new 2030 Strategy represents a pathway to focus on people, planet and prosperity, create purposeful outcomes, and accelerate the contribution of a shift toward a regenerative economy.     

In late 2020, the strategy team composed of members of the Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact committee took on the task of creating strategies for implementation for the CSSI. The team’s members were: Gayle Murphy - CEO Global Green Events, Roger Lehner - Senior Operations Executive, IMEX Group, Melinda Kendall - VP Sales, Sustainable Brands, Gwendal Castellan - Manager Sustainable Destination Development Vancouver, Yalmaz Siddiqui - VP Corporate Sustainability MGM Resorts and former Chair CSSI Committee, and strategy team lead Claudia van’t Hullenaar - Founder & Managing Director Sustained Impact. Mariela McIlwraith - VP Sustainability and Industry Advancement of the EIC, regularly accompanied the group sessions to ensure strategic alignment with EIC and specific topics like the global Sustainable Events Standards and professional recognition program.

Yet, instead of moving forward directly with brainstorming ideas and a plan of action, we instead pressed the stop button, took a step back, and underwent a thorough rethinking and redesigning a strategic roadmap that aligns with EIC’S overall vision and in particular with the global context in which the meeting industry is embedded.

We looked at the systems operating and went through many sessions to review, discuss and better understand stakeholder ecosystems, mapping and co-creating through Design Thinking methodologies into what now represents the new CSSI architecture with its long-term 2030 strategy. The strategy will be reviewed periodically to adjust to any global developments as they occur in an ever-changing world. After consultation with the rest of the committee, EIC board and other stakeholders, the strategy has been approved for implementation.

The CSSI 2030 Strategy addresses many of the pressing themes of our times like Climate Action and relevancy to the meetings industry. The strategy demonstrates a clear pathway, transparency and accountability. It will be governed by the CSSI committee and supported by EIC Sustainability.

CSSI’s new vision is ‘Accelerating the adoption of environmental and equitable event strategies to create a society where people, the planet and economies thrive.’ and the mission is to inspire and empower the event industry to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. It consists of four main strategic pillars, Advocacy, Research, Guidance and Education, through which it will deliver on its vision. Each of the pillars have overarching goals and twelve focus areas with clear objectives and targets. In following graphic, you will see a more detailed outline.

Our hope is to provide globally relevant resources and support for event organisers, supply chain, and many other actors in the event system like destination management organisations and associations who all host, plan, organise and promote business events, meetings, exhibitions and so forth.

Using, applying and adapting these meaningful principles and tools consequently as suggested in guidance documents, like the Sustainable Events Standards, professional development like the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate, as well as resources and education material help accelerate action for sustainable development and contribute to a necessary shift in how business is operated. That is why the CCSI is currently essential for the future well-being of the industry and society.

The global events industry has the ability and responsibility to drive meaningful change and climate action, as well as create welcoming communities and improve society. The CSSI seeks to support and champion a community of event professionals and its stakeholders dedicated to this journey.

I would like to thank the CSSI committee, EIC and particularly the entire strategy team for the joint work, perseverance and the many fun moments during our collaboration to bring forth this living strategy!

You can find the Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact (CSSI) 2030 Strategy here.