Gliwice, November 6, 2025 – During the premiere edition of MICE EXPO in Gliwice, a key panel discussion entitled “How to design modern association meetings based on sustainable development?” took place, which proved that ESG (environment, society, and corporate governance) principles are now a set of very specific operational decisions, not just theory.
The discussion, moderated by Magdalena Szozda, was attended by industry experts: Agnieszka Szymerowska, Anna Jędrocha, Sara Lamik, and Katarzyna Banach-Kowalenko. The participants focused on the practical aspects of implementing sustainable development in event organization, emphasizing that destinations, venues, and associations have a real impact on positive transformation.
Key practical aspects of ESG in events:
The panelists identified specific areas where organizers can make changes immediately:
Carbon Footprint and Offsetting: Calculating the carbon footprint of events is the basis for making decisions about effective offsetting. It is a measurable step towards climate neutrality for events.
Waste Management: It is crucial to cooperate with partners, such as the title sponsor of the venue, e.g., PreZero Arena Gliwice, in the area of waste sorting and disposal. This enables a high recycling rate to be achieved.
Social Impact: An important practice is to donate surplus food to those in need, which minimizes waste and supports local communities.
Eco-Transport: A real, positive environmental impact is achieved by promoting public transport and minimizing individual transport in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Common Denominator: ESG is Action
In summary, the panel of experts unanimously agreed that the future of association meetings lies in incorporating ESG principles into every stage of planning and implementation. ESG is no longer an optional extra, but has become the foundation of modern, responsible event organization and a key criterion when selecting destinations and venues.
