Radisson and GDS-Movement Launch Green Event Guide
A new roadmap helps associations and congress organizers overcome operational barriers and build repeatable sustainability standards across host cities.
The short answer
Radisson Hotel Group and GDS-Movement have published a sustainability roadmap for associations and congress planners. Built on GDS-Index data, the guide introduces five action areas to standardize green practices across recurring events.
The short version
- Radisson Hotel Group and GDS-Movement unveiled a sustainable event guide in Brussels targeting associations and PCOs.
- Only 3% of associations report having an advanced sustainability program, despite 66% viewing sustainability as highly important.
- 74 indicators aligned with the UN SDGs and GSTC criteria underpin the GDS-Index destination data used in the guide.
Radisson Hotel Group and GDS-Movement have partnered to launch a roadmap titled Accelerating Sustainable & Regenerative Events: A Guide for Associations & PCOs [1]. Unveiled in Brussels, the framework equips professional congress organizers and association planners with methods to integrate environmental and social measures across planning, delivery, and reporting cycles [1].
Why was a new event planning guide necessary?
A persistent implementation gap prevents associations from converting environmental intent into daily operations [1]. While 66% of associations describe sustainability as highly important, fewer than 34% have embedded it into their operations [1]. Furthermore, only 3% report having an advanced sustainability program [1]. As Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, noted in eHotelier's coverage, the sector struggles with execution rather than awareness [1]. Organizers encounter recurring friction points, including perceived costs, restricted access to verified sustainability data, fragmented supplier networks, and an absence of standard operating frameworks [1]. Managing complex schedules across shifting destinations further complicates compliance [1].
What are the five core actions outlined for event planners?
The roadmap defines five procedural steps designed to establish measurable, repeatable approaches across multi-city event portfolios [1]. Rather than treating sustainability as a single-site checklist, the roadmap guides organizers toward systematic coordination with venues and host communities [1].
| Action Item | Strategic Focus | Implementation Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Destination Collaboration | Early engagement | Involve host destination partners earlier in planning cycles [1]. |
| Certified Networks | Supplier procurement | Prioritize certified supplier networks and verified credentials [1]. |
| Social Impact | Legacy event design | Incorporate social impact initiatives into core programs [1]. |
| Low-Carbon Mobility | Delegate transit | Adopt low-carbon mobility routes for attendees and stakeholders [1]. |
| Measurement Frameworks | Reporting and accountability | Enforce sustainability-linked metrics, reporting, and incentives [1]. |
According to eHotelier, these actions help organizers manage recurring congresses, annual conventions, and regional gatherings under uniform operational criteria [[1], [2]].
How do destination benchmarks factor into the framework?
Host cities serve an active operational function in helping planners document and hit sustainability targets [1]. The roadmap incorporates data and insights derived from the GDS-Index, a benchmarking program that evaluates destination performance across 74 qualitative and quantitative indicators [1]. These benchmarks correspond directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination Criteria [1]. Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker of GDS-Movement, explained in eHotelier that assessing destinations provides planners with the transparent data needed to select vetted partners [1].
How does this roadmap align with hotel brand operations?
The guide connects destination-level accountability directly to venue management practices [1]. Radisson Hotel Group is connecting this planning guide to its broader internal targets, including its Verified Net Zero initiative and the chain-wide adoption of Hotel Sustainability Basics across its properties [1]. By establishing standardized reporting expectations, hotel operators and sales directors can better align their property-level environmental data with the procurement requirements of international congress planners [1].
Reported by
This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.
- [1]Radisson and GDS-Movement Launch Green Event Guide— eHotelier
- [2]Radisson and GDS-Movement Launch Sustainable Events Roadmap— eHotelier
Frequently asked
+What is the new event guide published by Radisson and GDS-Movement?
It is a practical roadmap titled Accelerating Sustainable & Regenerative Events: A Guide for Associations & PCOs, designed to help professional congress organizers embed sustainability into planning, execution, and reporting.
+What data gap prompted the creation of the guide?
Surveys revealed that while 66% of associations view sustainability as highly important, fewer than 34% incorporate it into operations, and only 3% have advanced programs.
+Where was the sustainability guide officially unveiled?
The guide was unveiled to industry stakeholders and event organizers in Brussels.
+What criteria does the GDS-Index use to evaluate host destinations?
The GDS-Index evaluates destinations using 74 qualitative and quantitative indicators aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination Criteria.
+What are the five core actions recommended to event organizers?
Organizers are advised to engage destinations early, hire certified suppliers, incorporate social legacy programs, plan low-carbon transport, and adopt sustainability-linked reporting frameworks.
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