What GSTC2024 Singapore Taught Us About Hosting Sustainable Events
Photo by Singapore EXPO
Sustainability has become an important factor in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, and the recent GSTC2024 in Singapore provided a platform to explore this pressing issue. The Sustainable Events session brought together a panel of experts who shared actionable tips for hosting eco-conscious events, focusing on how to actually put them into practice.
The discussions ranged from practical ways to reduce food waste to making the most of local resources, giving event planners an easy guide to staying sustainable and community-focused.
From left: Moderator Edward Koh – Executive Director, Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Singapore Tourism Board; Kaori Pereyra-Lago – Head of Strategic Meetings Management, APAC & EMEA, Global Business Development & Strategy, American Express Global Business Travel; Ian Gan – Chief Sustainability Officer, Singapore EXPO; Vice President Center Management, Constellar; Ingeborg Fallet Kristensen – Managing Director, Krabi Spesialisten / Wedding in Thailand; and Adam Piperdy – Founder & Chief Experience Officer, Unearthed Production
Venue Selection and Infrastructure as Catalysts for Change
The right venue can act as the foundation for a sustainable event. Singapore EXPO exemplifies how purposeful infrastructure can drive change. With a 9.7 megawatt-peak solar rooftop system — the largest in Singapore — and the eastern region's largest EV charging hub, the venue has set a benchmark for eco-conscious operations.
Ian Gan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Singapore EXPO, shared that their carbon emissions per square meter are 45% lower than the industry average, reflecting their commitment.
He emphasized that sustainability begins with infrastructure investments like renewable energy integration and waste management systems, which create the foundation for more environmentally responsible gatherings.
Screenshot from Ian Gan’s presentation
Tackling Food Waste with Practical Solutions
The session highlighted alarming statistics that emphasized the critical role of food waste management in hosting sustainable events.
Kaori Pereyra-Lago from American Express Global Business Travel revealed that food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while aviation contributes only 3%.
"Event attendees generate 1.9 kilograms of waste per day, over twice what we produce in our daily lives," she reported, highlighting the urgency to act.
Proactive planning emerged as a core solution.
Adam Piperdy, founder of Unearthed Productions, explained the critical role of upfront communication with attendees, sharing that his team asks guests during registration whether they will consume meals to better forecast demand and curb waste.
"We always assume everybody will eat, but that's not the case. We ask so we can reduce unnecessary catering," Piperdy explained.
Gan highlighted Singapore EXPO's innovative approaches, from deploying food digesters to convert waste into greywater to implementing urban rooftop farms that supply fresh produce directly to kitchens. Collaboration with food rescue organizations completes their cycle of impact, ensuring unused food reaches underserved communities.
Rethinking Design With Sustainability in Mind
Creative initiatives also play a significant role in sustainable events, as explained by Piperdy. His team employs innovative methods to rethink traditional event design, using sustainable materials and crafting furniture from event by-products, like barrels and pallets.
Screenshot from Adam Piperdy’s presentation
At GSTC2024, sustainability extended beyond catering; it touched every part of event planning. Unearthed Productions brought some inspiring practices to life:
Reduction in paper and plastic use: Conference badges were made from recyclable TESLIN material, and biodegradable bamboo lanyards replaced conventional single-use plastics. Printing was minimized, and no single-use plastics were used at the event.
Upcycling programs: Attendees were encouraged to drop their badges and lanyards in designated collection boxes. Through a collaboration with Cloop, a circular fashion enterprise, these items were upcycled. Lobster clasps were repurposed for T-shirt Yarn Wristlet Workshops, and fabric scraps were used as stuffing in their Fabric Ornament Workshops. Even the Welcome Dinner at ONE°15 Marina integrated sustainability, where reusable, hand-drawn food tag labels replaced printed menu placards.
Reusable cardboard furniture and sustainable backdrops: Foldable cardboard furniture was used at registration, making it reusable for multiple events. The backdrop was made from honeycomb cardboard and PVC-free banners.
Digitization to replace physical materials: Registration processes, signage, and communication were digitized, featuring LED walls and digital displays in place of foam boards and printed signs.
Sustainable décor: Fresh clippings from local greenery were upcycled into floral displays, cutting down on imported flowers while promoting a circular ecosystem.
All photos from Adam Piperdy’s presentation
An additional initiative by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) encouraged attendees to offset their flight emissions. Those who participated received complimentary e-cards for local spending, supporting Singapore's economy while practicing responsible tourism.
The Role of Community in Responsible Events
Ingeborg Fallet Kristensen, Managing Director of Krabi Spesialisten in Thailand, introduced an equally inspiring approach.
"We support community-based tourism by integrating local culture into events and activities," she noted. This model prioritizes collaboration with local businesses and artisans for everything—from catering to entertainment. It's an approach that brings economic benefits directly to the grassroots level while offering attendees a more profound cultural experience.
"We carefully select venues that use renewable energy and efficient resources. Waste reduction is critical — we've long eliminated single-use plastics at our events. Guests use reusable bottles, which has significantly reduced waste, " Kristensen shared.
Even in destination weddings, Kristensen pushes for responsible consumption. She encourages clients to use locally available materials instead of importing excessive, wasteful goods. "We have to inform clients they cannot purchase unnecessary plastic gadgets. These events can leave behind a lot of waste if not planned carefully," she remarked.
Photos by Krabi Spesialisten
Adapting Sustainability Practices to Local Contexts
The session also highlighted one key insight — what works in one region might not apply universally.
Pereyra-Lago addressed challenges in Japan, where the strong emphasis on hospitality often leads to overconsumption.
"Japanese are brilliant at recycling, but reduction management often takes a backseat due to a desire to please customers," she explained. However, progress is underway, with more Japanese organizations signing up for science-based emission targets.
Similarly, audience feedback showed that the practices implemented in Singapore may not always work as smoothly in neighboring countries. For instance, in Indonesia, food waste solutions differ because of the larger population and varying logistical capabilities. Instead, organizations like Scholars of Sustenance prioritize feeding underserved communities with banquet waste.
These examples demonstrate that sustainability in events needs to be context-specific. What works in Singapore may require adaptation to suit cultural and infrastructural realities in other regions.
Driving Sustainability Through Data and Reporting
Pereyra-Lago highlighted recent regulatory trends pushing for climate-related disclosures, including upcoming EU mandates set for 2025, which will require comprehensive sustainability reporting.
She also noted that nearly 8,600 companies have already committed to cutting emissions in line with Science Based Target Initiatives (SBTi), representing 39% of the global economy by market capitalization.
In the MICE sector, she emphasized that sustainability is no longer just a value-add; it’s something people expect. To keep up, organizations need clear and transparent metrics, like ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) platforms, to track their progress. These tools make it easier for organizers to show stakeholders and attendees they are serious about sustainability.
Gan shared that all venue proposals now include sustainability criteria, emphasizing how the demand for ESG metrics trickles down the supply chain.
"It's no longer just about the venue or organizer — it's about caterers, freight forwarders, and even stand builders," Gan said.
However, challenges remain, particularly for smaller organizations. Gan pointed out that, as an SME with fewer than 100 employees, resource constraints can make it difficult to fully integrate ESG practices. His advice? Start small, involve the team, and build momentum gradually.
Peer pressure also plays a constructive role. Pereyra-Lago remarked that many organizations are influenced by competitors, particularly within the professional services sector. "They want to say, 'We're better and greener,' and that drives progress," she observed.
The Future is Collaborative and Green
At GSTC2024, one thing was clear — collaboration across the entire value chain is the secret to making the MICE industry more sustainable. Venues, planners, attendees, and suppliers all need to team up and work towards shared goals to make it happen.
By focusing on measurable results, like reducing the carbon emissions associated with catering or improving waste management, events can be more eco-conscious without losing their effectiveness or wow factor.
Pereyra-Lago shared a recent poll revealing that "83% of meeting owners say sustainability is a priority when planning meetings and events, while 88% of MICE professionals believe incorporating green and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives improves the event experience.
Creating an Action Plan for Event Planners
Distilling their advice into actionable steps, the panelists encouraged event planners to:
Start with the venue. Choose spaces with robust sustainability initiatives already in place.
Reduce food waste. Work directly with caterers to redistribute surplus or implement composting solutions.
Rethink materials. Explore reusable or upcycled design options to cut down on waste from one-off décor.
Collaborate locally. Leverage the expertise and resources of local businesses and artisans.
Track metrics. Use ESG reporting tools to measure greenhouse gas reductions, waste management outcomes, and delegate satisfaction.
The GSTC2024 session on sustainable events highlighted the growing urgency for greener practices across the MICE industry. Whether it's harnessing solar energy, reducing food waste, or crafting creative upcycled designs, the strategies shared by this expert panel offer a roadmap for planners everywhere. By thinking holistically — focusing not just on carbon footprints but also on social and community impact — events can transform into powerful tools for sustainability, leaving the spaces they touch with as little impact as possible or better than before.
The future of MICE events isn't just about gathering people together; it's about ensuring those gatherings make a positive mark on the local community too.
