BS ISO 20121 and the sustainability needs of the events sector

Recorded: 11 May 2022 (14:00 - 15:30 UK time)

What’s this sustainable events webinar about?

Sustainable events have the power to attract big audiences and show environmental & social leadership, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals and organizational ESG commitments and targets. So, what does the events sector need in order to deliver more sustainable events?

This webinar is conceived as a wide-ranging discussion of the sector’s potential and ambitions in relation to sustainable events. Comments and input will be sought on BS ISO 20121, the international sustainable events standard, and information will be provided on how the sector can get involved in its revision.  

Who should attend the sustainable events webinar?

The events sector and anyone working on events – small or large.

Participants will:

• Hear from experts about the genesis of BS ISO 20121 and its potential future direction
• Participate in a discussion of the event industry’s needs in relation to sustainability
• Contribute their questions and perspective
• Hear how they can get involved in the revision
• Receive a post-event copy of the presentations and a recording of the webinar

Agenda

14:00 - 14:05 Welcome & introduction, Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors, British Standards Institution (BSI)

14:05 - 14:20 Introduction to ISO 20121 - Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors, British Standards Institution (BSI)

14:20 - 14:35 What ISO 20121 could mean for the future of the events sector - Fiona Pelham, Chair of ISO 20121 and CEO, Positive Impact Events

14:35 - 14:55 The ISO process and how you can get involved - Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors, British Standards Institution (BSI)

14:55 - 15:25 Q&A session

15:25 - 15:30 Closing remarks and end of the webinar

For a stimulating and useful conversation on building a more sustainable future for the events sector, please book your free place now.

Comments on Revising the ISO 20121 Sustainable Events standard

ISO 20121 is up for its 5 year systematic review. BSI would like input from UK stakeholders on whether there is a need to revise the standard, and explore what changes should made, e.g. new issues to be covered, enhancements to the requirements etc...

We have created a short survey to gather your input and for you to share your thoughts and let us know if you would like to be involved.

Your contribution to the survey will help inform and strengthen the UK position, so thank you for taking the time to participate!

Anne Hayes heads up the BSI Knowledge team leading the Sector strategies to ensure UK and global innovation and policy are supported with relevant standards. Having spent 19 years working within the standardization world she has experience across a broad range of industries and sectors having headed up teams for Governance, Risk and resilience as well as healthcare and Sustainability. In the recent months Anne has led the BSI Knowledge response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Previously to BSI Anne was Editorial Director at Sweet & Maxwell Ltd.

Fiona launched not for profit Positive Impact Events in 2005 to provide education, engagement and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry.

She was the youngest female to chair an ISO standard when, in 2012, ISO 20121 a management system for event sustainability was created.

In 2014 Fiona received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University for services to the event industry and sustainability and in 2018 chaired  Meeting Professionals International, the worlds largest global association for event professionals.

In 2018 She joined the UN Environment technical expert group for transforming tourism value chains and is chair of sector specific sustainability standards on British Standards Institute Sustainability Committee.

Since 2019 she has provided a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Acceleration Action Report on the role of events advancing the SDGs, in 2020, during COVID 19, she led a campaign to empower 100,000 event professionals to build the future of how human connection happens and in 2021 in partnership with SE Climate Hub and UNFCCC Race to Zero she led the launch of an initiative to support event sector SMEs to make a net zero commitment.

Fiona is an award winning entrepreneur passionate about sustainability.

BSI is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with this webinar contributing to Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities, Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production and Goal 13 on climate action.