A deep analysis of the new episode of Epicentro, the podcast of the Costa Rica Convention Center. In a global context where sustainability has ceased to be a differentiator and has become a requirement, the meetings industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Every event, every congress, and every gathering is evaluated not only by its outcome, but by the impact it leaves on the environment, on communities, and on the planet.
You are invited to reflect on the role that education plays in building a more conscious, more resilient industry that is better prepared for today’s challenges. A sector in evolution: “If we want to ensure the survival of this industry, we must change how we do business, how we travel, and how we meet.” Sustainability is no longer an aspirational concept. It is a key criterion in decision-making for destinations, venues, associations, and event organizers.
Make sure every action aligns with the SDGs. However, there is a clear gap between awareness and action. Although 78% of planners recognize sustainability as a strategic factor (according to the Global Meetings & Events Forecast 2024), many still do not know how to implement sustainable practices in a realistic and measurable way. This is where education plays a transformative role:
- It enables a true understanding of what it means to be sustainable.
- It offers methodologies to measure and mitigate impacts and prepares professionals to lead structural change.
- It inspires new ways of designing events that are better aligned with the SDGs.
The conversation addresses a fundamental duality in the sector: On the one hand, it is true that events generate emissions, especially from transportation. On the other, they have immense potential to create positive legacies that far outweigh the initial environmental impact. Such legacies can take the form of new strategic alliances, academic developments, knowledge transfer, local economic stimulus, capacity building, or cultural and community shifts.
“The positive impact of an event can be ten times greater than its negative impact if it is designed with purpose.”
Costa Rica as an example of education applied to sustainability. During the conversation, the work of the Costa Rica Convention Center is highlighted: it has managed to turn practices such as the neutralization of 100% of its operational emissions into real learning spaces—not only for internal teams, but also for organizers, suppliers, and international visitors. This shows that sustainability does not have to be a speech: it can become a living, tangible, and replicable experience. Latin America: a territory with transformative potential.
Build a training plan by role: sales, operations, suppliers, and client. Latin America has unique attributes that position it as a key player in the future of international meetings: incomparable biodiversity, a strong cultural identity, creativity, and a marked vocation for collaboration. But for this potential to materialize, structured education is needed to move from intention to execution. Many destinations still don’t know where to begin, and that is precisely why education is the most important starting point.
Where should destinations and venues start?
Experts agree on a practical roadmap:
- Diagnose the starting point. Many destinations already carry out sustainable practices without recognizing them as such. Identifying them allows you to build from there.
- Create a 1–2 year roadmap. Small steps, but measurable and consistent.
- Integrate continuous training. Sustainability is not learned once; it is built through practice, updates, and dialogue.
- Learn from other industries. Sectors such as chemicals, technology, or design have already made significant advances; their learnings can inspire the MICE sector.
- Measure economic and social impact. Sustainability and ROI must go hand in hand to ensure credibility and staying power.
The final call: “If you haven’t started, start today. If you’ve already started, don’t stop. And share your passion with others.” Because, in the end, sustainability not only transforms events: it transforms people, teams, organizations, and entire cities.
To learn more, listen to the full episode of EPI Centro on Spotify.
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