Radisson Hotel Group Launches Sustainability Guide for Event Planners

Radisson Hotel Group has partnered with GDS-Movement to launch a new sustainability roadmap for the meetings industry. The guide, titled 'Accelerating Sustainable & Regenerative Events: A Guide for Associations & PCOs,' aims to help Professional Congress Organizers and associations integrate sustainability into event planning and reporting.

According to the source, a significant implementation gap exists. While 66% of associations deem sustainability highly important, fewer than 34% have embedded it into operations. Only 3% report having an advanced program. The guide is a direct response to this challenge, moving beyond awareness to provide actionable tools.

Addressing the Sustainability Action Gap

Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, stated the core problem. "The industry does not have a sustainability awareness problem; it has an implementation challenge," she said. The guide is designed to overcome practical barriers like perceived costs, fragmented supplier networks, and a lack of data.

It argues that successful sustainable events require collaboration across the entire ecosystem. For associations managing multiple events in different locations, establishing consistent standards and reporting is particularly complex. The roadmap provides a framework for repeatable approaches across an event portfolio.

The Key Role of Destinations

A central theme is the growing importance of destinations in supporting sustainable events. The guide leverages insights from the GDS-Index, a benchmarking program for destination sustainability. Destinations are assessed against 74 indicators aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.

Guy Bigwood, CEO of GDS-Movement, emphasized their role. "Destinations play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition toward sustainable and regenerative events," he said. The index helps destinations improve their performance while giving planners transparent data for informed decision-making.

Five Actions for Planners

The guide outlines five practical actions for associations and organizers to strengthen sustainability. These provide a foundation for more responsible events and improved consistency.

A Shared Commitment to Progress

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to driving industry change through collaboration and measurable outcomes. Radisson Hotel Group is building on its existing sustainability initiatives, such as its Verified Net Zero program and the rollout of Hotel Sustainability Basics across its portfolio. The group continues to work with associations and destinations to support more responsible event delivery worldwide.