Thursday 9th December 2021

08:30 - 09:00 - Event registration & refreshments

09:00 - 09:10 - Chair’s opening remarks 

Calum Di Lieto, Editor, C&IT

9:10 - 9:50 - Keynote - COP26: An event planners perspective

 

Mike Conaty, COP26 and sustainability lead at Identity, presents a case study on delivering 

the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26). As one of the largest gatherings of Heads of State ever hosted in the UK, Mike will explore what it was like from a planners perspective to be a part of an event that will make history. He also discusses how the Identity worked to create an event that was fully sustainable.

Mike Conaty, COP26, Sustainability Lead, Identity

09:50 - 11:05 - Pre-arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

11:05 - 11:20 - Networking break

11:20 - 12:00 - Live case study- how sustainable is this event?

Founder of Isla Anna Abdelnoor and Editor of C&IT Calum Di Lieto take to the stage for a live case study to ask, how sustainable is this event? Delving into the venue, food, sourcing and packaging, this session will set out a blueprint for measuring your own events, asking what do we do well and what can we do better?

Calum Di Lieto, Editor, C&IT

Anna Abdelnoor, Founder, Isla

12:00 - 12:55 - Pre-arranged meetings 

 

12:55 - 14:00 - Lunch

14:00 - 14:55 - Pre-arranged meetings 

14:55 - 15:25: Roundtables

        

Explore Edmonton and The Hague: The value of Convention Bureaus in your sustainability journey

There's value in working with a CVB, especially as we work towards a more sustainable events industry.  This interactive session will provide discussion and insights into how CVB's can support your event’s sustainability ambitions and how they are leading destinations on their sustainability journey and driving positive change as we return to hybrid and live events. 

Visit Belfast: Tailoring sustainability to your client

Sustainability covers a broad spectrum of initiatives and clients will also be at different stages of their journey. Visit Belfast will take you through their 5 step plan, explaining how to avoid simply box ticking and showing how to tailor the event to the client.

15:40 - 16:10 - Roundtables

Avanti and GWR: Why is rail the sustainable choice for MICE travel in 2022 and beyond?

Already the greenest way of travelling across the UK, the rail industry is committed to driving sustainability further over the next few years.  Hear about  Avanti West Coast and Great Western Railway and their flexible propositions for the MICE market, making it easy to book whilst paving the way of transporting delegates sustainably. Join the round table to discuss how rail can play an integral part in your event planning and hear how we have already supported major events within the UK.

Glisser: TBC 

16:10 - 16:30 -  Presentation - why is food a game-changer?

Food is one of the biggest areas event professionals can influence when it comes to sustainability; it's more far reaching than you'd think. James Buckely, chef at Levy UK, talks about sustainable food, from plant-based eating to global food production, and how events people can affect change.

James Buckley, Head of Culinary, Levy UK & Ireland 

Jo Austin, Head of Venue Sales, Lime Venue 

 

16:30 - 17:10 - Panel session: The business case for sustainable events

Sustainability is talked about as a no-brainer in terms of climate change and preserving the planet for future generations. But how can we make the business case? This panel discussion examines how you can talk to internal teams, stakeholders and clients to demonstrate the value from a business perspective of integrating sustainability into every event process.

Patrick Ockendon, Account Director, Strata

Saskya Liney, Account Director and Head of Sustainability, emc3

Selina Donald, Founder, The Bulb

Christianne Beck, Global events & experiential expert 

17:10 - 17:15 - Closing remarks - Calum Di Lieto, Editor, C&IT

 17:15 - Drinks