Events

15 July, 18:00 - 19:00 local time, Guadalajara, México. Alejandra H. Zita, relationship manager for the Latin-American region, takes part in a Spanish-language panel that asks changemakers if the fashion industry is ready for the sustainable consumer. She'll explore trends, challenges, and impact measurement through the lens of GDS-Movement's efforts to support business events to be more regenerative through strategy, reporting, and continual improvement. 

12:00 - 12:30 local time - Jennifer explores  "Redefining Events In 2025: Impactful And Regenerative MICE Strategies" on stage two.

14:00 - 15:00 CEST - Milda Salciute, Changemaker, Director Events and Academy, gives the GDS-Movement perspective on "Green is the New Gold: Counting the Cost of Sustainable Events" with

• Susan De Bievre, Advisor, World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists
• Bridget Barbieri, Event Manager, European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

15:40 - 17:10 CEST. Bella looks "Towards More Regenerative Destinations: The Role of the GDS-Index and the Food Dimension" (in Spanish).

The GDS-Index is a tool used to assess and rank the performance of tourism destinations in relation to their sustainability and commitment to responsible development. This index provides tourism destinations with a framework to identify areas for improvement and enhance their efforts in creating a more sustainable and responsible environment. Among other aspects, the GDS-Index evaluates whether restaurants in the destinations are certified in terms of sustainable food. During the presentation, we will explain how, through this evaluation, the GDS-Index encourages destinations to adopt policies that promote healthy, sustainable, and accessible food for tourists, contributing to a gastronomic experience that respects both the environment and local communities.

16:00 CET PM Session: A wave of powerful new EU regulations is reshaping the tourism landscape - and it’s not just about compliance.   It’s about opportunity.  

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and Green Claims Directive (GCD) will set bold new standards - and forward-thinking DMOs have a chance to step up as sustainability leaders. Join experts from the GDS-Movement and the European Travel Commission (ETC) for a high-impact webinar that breaks down what these directives mean for destinations, and how you can turn regulation into regeneration.  

In this session, you’ll learn how to: Understand and prepare for the key European Union(EU) sustainability directives affecting tourism Take practical steps to ensure compliance and reduce risk Guide your local tourism ecosystem through regulatory changes Unlock new opportunities for funding, trust, and leadership

Expert Speakers:

• Antonia Alomar, EU Projects Lead, and Public Policy, GDS-Movement
• Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker, GDS-Movement
• Teodora Marinska, COO and Head of Public Affairs, ETC

10:00 CET AM Session: A wave of powerful new EU regulations is reshaping the tourism landscape - and it’s not just about compliance.   It’s about opportunity.  

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and Green Claims Directive (GCD) will set bold new standards - and forward-thinking DMOs have a chance to step up as sustainability leaders. Join experts from the GDS-Movement and the European Travel Commission (ETC) for a high-impact webinar that breaks down what these directives mean for destinations, and how you can turn regulation into regeneration.  

In this session, you’ll learn how to: Understand and prepare for the key European Union (EU) sustainability directives affecting tourism Take practical steps to ensure compliance and reduce risk Guide your local tourism ecosystem through regulatory changes Unlock new opportunities for funding, trust, and leadership

Expert Speakers:

• Antonia Alomar, EU Projects Lead, and Public Policy, GDS-Movement
• Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker, GDS-Movement
• Teodora Marinska, COO and Head of Public Affairs, ETC

11:30-12:00 CEST. In the Press Conference Room - Room Symmetrie 2, Press Centre, Hall 8 Level 1, Messe Frankfurt     Why Attend? The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) are launching a white paper that breaks down the implications of new EU sustainability regulations and offers a practical roadmap to help the tourism and events industry understand, prepare for, and conform with these evolving legal requirements.   With the legal changes on the horizon, this is a must-attend briefing for media looking to understand how destinations and their business ecosystems can stay compliant, competitive, and credible in a fast-changing regulatory landscape.  

Hear from Guy Bigwood, CEO, GDS-Movement, and gain exclusive insights into how the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and the Green Claims Directive (GCD) will reshape destination management, marketing, and sustainability reporting and what tourism businesses must do to avoid penalty or litigation for non-compliance or violation.  Be the first to cover the industry's proactive response to the EU’s green transition.

14:05 - 14:50 CET - Milda will be exploring "Sustainable event solutions: Strategies for success" in a dedicated Education Session.  Find her at the Inspiration Hub, Hall 9 | IMEX Campfire.  

Dive into the real-world application of sustainability and regenerative practices in event design and delivery. Drawing from real examples, explore what it takes to move beyond basics to impactful, measurable strategies at every stage of event planning. From reduction strategies, logistics and carbon tracking to innovative material sourcing and responsible supplier partnerships, discover how to create events that leave a lasting positive impact and minimized footprint.  

Learning outcomes: - Hear pioneering examples of sustainability in action
- Unlock regenerative strategies to create events that restore rather than deplete resources
- Gain practical tools to elevate your event planning with cutting-edge sustainability solutions  

This session is approved for the following certifications. * ICCA Skills Domain CICS/CICE: Module 5: Business and Market Planning, 0.75 Credits * CSEP Approved