Events

“From Insight to Impact: How Data Powers Regenerative Destination Transformation”.

Enjoy a closing keynote speech on the future of data-driven tourism, climate action and sustainability Closing keynote that will neatly bridge the two pillars of the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum - data and regeneration - by demonstrating how data must be purpose-driven to support positive environmental and social transformation of destinations.

Marta will showcase how high-performing destinations in the GDS-Index - many of them from the Baltic Region - are using data not just to report, but to take climate action and regenerate.

We’re turning our results announcement into a global party and you’re on the guest list!

The 2025 GDS-Index Results Celebration

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 16:00 – 17:30 UTC+02:00
Where: Online - link supplied when you register
Dress code: Hats! Big hats, small hats, silly hats, tall hats! We want to see them all. The best hat will be crowned Mad Hatter!

What are we celebrating?

During the celebration, we will:

22 July, 14:00 CET

Milda Salciute, Director of Events Consulting and GDS-Academy, explores how, as the event industry evolves, so must our strategies. Join the upcoming INCON Learning Session to explore how legacy-building and sustainability are reshaping business events.

🔍 Learn how to:
✔ Apply the GDS-Movement's Hannuwa methodology
✔ Design regenerative events that embed circular economy and food systems
✔ Leverage insights from ESCRS Congress (2022–2024)

Discover how to plan events that leave a measurable, positive legacy.

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