Event organisers and MICE professionals will get the opportunity to document their thoughts on how the industry should achieve the United Nations ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, with the launch of a new online survey on 1 August.

The survey has been created as part of the My World Global Citizen Survey to bring peoples voices into official debates about the SDGs and will be available in 22 languages. Survey’s completed before 1 September will be used to form an ‘acceleration action’ which will be shared with the United Nations.

“A more sustainable events industry”

Cvent, a MICE and hospitality technology provider, is one of the partners supporting the creation of an acceleration commitment, which will communicate to the United Nations how engaging the event industry could lead to achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030. Other partners include IMEX, Maritz and Oregon Convention Center.

Judy Elvey, director of marketing for Cvent in Europe, said: “We hear a lot about sustainability in our industry, but many need guidance as to how they can support the global political agenda and crucially overcome any perceived challenges to supporting the sustainable development goals at an industry level. I would urge every event professional in the industry to share their views so that we can present a united voice and look at a range of solutions. This initiative marks an important next stage as we pave the path for a more sustainable events industry.”

“Unique opportunity to collaborate with global governments”

The report will be submitted to the United Nations as part of their call for commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals which will be discussed at their summit in New York in September.

Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact said: “‘There is an urgent business case for the event industry to act to show they are part of the solution to reach the UN SDGs and not the problem.  Back in March 2019, 1.3 million young people used an event (a protest) to ask decision makers to support their plea for immediate action.

Events touch everyone — we all take part in events whether it be sporting, cultural or day to day business meetings therefore we all have the ability to have an impact.  Through this survey and the acceleration commitment we have an immediate and unique opportunity to collaborate with global governments and business on a strategic level and tell the story of the power of events.”