The events industry must take action to shape the sustainability policies that will govern our business.

In Scotland this past November at COP26, the United Nation’s climate-change conference, governments and industries made a pledge to reduce carbon emissions. At that time, Northstar’s Loren Edelstein spoke with Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact Events, about why and how the events industry must commit to reducing its carbon footprint. (For details, listen to the Nov. 3 episode of Eventful.)
 
Nearly five months later, very little action has been taken on that pledge, says Pelham. In this episode of Eventful, she stresses our need as an industry to have a role in framing policies that will govern our business, as well as free resources for reducing the carbon footprint of business meetings and events.
 
Among topics addressed:
 
What the growing focus on carbon means to the events sector today (1:25)
 
Why government policy will soon impact the way we work (4:00)
 
How the industry needs to shift its focus from profitability to creating a sustainable business model (5:10)
 
Why the events sector needs to take initiative to frame the policies that will impact us (9:20)
 
The imperative to move from pledging to action in the Race to Zero (10:00)
 
How to make a net-zero commitment (11:00)
 
What a commitment means and how to take action (14:10)
 
The reality that most in our sector who have made the pledge haven’t done anything further (18:10)
 
An open invitation to share your sustainability journey with Northstar (18:55)

The events industry must take action to shape the sustainability policies that will govern our business.
In Scotland this past November at COP26, the United Nation&rsquo;s climate-change conference, governments and industries made a pledge to reduce carbon emissions. At that time, Northstar&rsquo;s Loren Edelstein spoke with Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact Events, about why and how the events industry must commit to reducing its carbon footprint. (For details, listen to the Nov. 3 episode of Eventful.) &nbsp; Nearly five months later, very little action has been taken on that pledge, says Pelham. In this episode of Eventful, she stresses our need as an industry to have a role in framing policies that will govern our business, as well as free resources for reducing the carbon footprint of business meetings and events. &nbsp; Among topics addressed: &nbsp; What the growing focus on carbon means to the events sector today (1:25) &nbsp; Why government policy will soon impact the way we work (4:00) &nbsp; How the industry needs to shift its focus from profitability to creating a sustainable business model (5:10) &nbsp; Why the events sector needs to take initiative to frame the policies that will impact us (9:20) &nbsp; The imperative to move from pledging to action in the Race to Zero (10:00) &nbsp; How to make a net-zero commitment (11:00) &nbsp; What a commitment means and how to take action (14:10) &nbsp; The reality that most in our sector who have made the pledge haven&rsquo;t done anything further (18:10) &nbsp; An open invitation to share your sustainability journey with Northstar (18:55)

Hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, Eventful invites you to listen in on insightful conversations about hot topics in the meetings and events industry. Tune in for interviews and analysis of the editorial coverage in Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meeting News and Incentive.

Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals

The Race to Net Zero: Moving From Pledge to Action

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the Caribe Royale Orlando, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property. 

For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.

Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the <a href="https://www.cariberoyalemeetings.com/">Caribe Royale Orlando</a>, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property.  For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.alhi.com/">Associated Luxury Hotels International</a>, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.
Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals/id1469374371">iTunes</a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">, </a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals"></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM"></a><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iZmQwNTg4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz">Google Podcasts</a> and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

The Benefits of Planning Events With Independent Properties

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.

In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.

• The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.

• Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.

• Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.

• ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.

• Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.

•  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.

• Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.   In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.   • The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.   • Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.   • Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.   • ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.   • Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.   •  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.   • Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

Breaking Access Barriers to Meetings

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.

Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.

This timely and important discussion covers:

• Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)

• How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)

• Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)

• The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)

• Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)

• Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)

• Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.   Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.   This timely and important discussion covers:   • Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)   • How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)   • Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)   • The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)   • Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)   • Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)   • Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

The Race to Net Zero: Moving From Pledge to Action

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