Radisson Hotel Group and GDS-Movement launch roadmap to help close the sustainability action gap

The new guide provides Associations and professional conference organizers (PCOs) with practical tools, destination data, and measurable frameworks to turn sustainability ambitions into action.

Why the Guide Matters
- Awareness vs. Action Gap:
- 66% of Associations say sustainability is highly important.
- Only 34% embed it into operations.
- Just 3% have advanced programs.
- The guide aims to move from ambition to implementation, giving planners practical tools and frameworks.

Key Features of the Guide
- Developed with insights from the GDS-Index, which benchmarks destination sustainability.
- Provides destination data, measurable frameworks, and collaboration models.
- Designed for Associations and Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) managing multiple events across diverse suppliers and destinations.

Leadership Perspectives
- Inge Huijbrechts (RHG): “The industry does not have a sustainability awareness problem; it has an implementation challenge.”
- Guy Bigwood (GDS-Movement): Destinations are pivotal in accelerating sustainable and regenerative events.

Role of Destinations
- Assessed against 74 indicators aligned with UN SDGs and GSTC criteria.
- Transparency and accountability help organizers make informed choices.
- Collaboration between destinations, venues, and suppliers is essential.

Five Practical Actions for Sustainable Events
1. Collaborate with destination partners early.
2. Prioritize certified suppliers and sustainability credentials.
3. Integrate social impact and legacy initiatives.
4. Incorporate low-carbon mobility strategies.
5. Implement sustainability-linked measurement, reporting, and incentives.

Broader Commitment
- Builds on RHG initiatives like Verified Net Zero and Hotel Sustainability Basics.
- Reinforces industry-wide collaboration for measurable outcomes.

This guide is essentially a roadmap for consistency—helping Associations and PCOs apply sustainability standards across recurring congresses, annual conferences, and regional meetings. It shifts the conversation from “we should” to “here’s how.”