Last week, Event Industry News (EIN) officially launched the 2025 edition of its Sustainable Event Guide at the annual Sustainable Breakfast Briefing, hosted at the iconic BMA House. Guests gathered in the venue’s beautiful Great Hall to enjoy a vibrant, plant-based breakfast while diving into some of the most pressing conversations around sustainability in events.
The centrepiece of the morning was a thought-provoking panel session titled “Sustainable Events Unplugged: An Audience-Led Discussion on Key Challenges.” The panel—featuring Anna Abdelnoor, Chrissie Beck, Hannah Robinson, Matt Grey, and Nick Grimaldi—offered raw, audience-led insights into what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry must head next.
A sneak preview of isla’s upcoming Temperature Check report revealed some tough truths:
- 75% of materials used in events come from virgin sources
- 87% of emissions from waste are linked to landfill disposal
These figures highlight the urgent need for change—and the opportunity for the industry to innovate.
Key themes from the panel included:
- Supplier accountability – Should we support and educate suppliers (“good cop”) or enforce stricter standards by walking away from those unwilling to change (“bad cop”)? The message was clear: collaboration is key, but it’s time to draw a line when necessary.
- Sustainability as regulation – With cities like Amsterdam requiring sustainability plans for large-scale events before issuing permits, is this a glimpse into the future of global event legislation?
- Cost conversations – The idea that sustainability costs more is outdated. When integrated from the start, sustainable choices can match or even reduce traditional costs.
- Venue responsibilities – Some venues claim carbon neutrality, while leaving waste management to organisers. The panel agreed: larger venues must take more responsibility and support smaller suppliers and organisers where possible.
Rebecca Hurley, Venue Marketing Manager at BMA House said “It was a real pleasure to welcome the industry back to BMA House for this year’s Sustainable Breakfast Briefing. Hosting the launch of the 2025 Sustainable Event Guide in our Great Hall felt like a perfect match—not only because of the beautiful setting, but because the conversations happening in that room align so closely with our values as a sustainable venue. We’re proud to support initiatives that drive the industry forward, and we truly value our ongoing partnership with Event Industry News. It’s collaborations like these that help shape a more responsible future for events.”
Kizzy Allott, EIN’s Sales & Marketing Director, shared her thoughts:
“The Sustainable Breakfast Briefing is more than just a guide launch—it’s a platform for real conversation and connection. This year’s discussions showed that while there’s still a long way to go, the appetite for change is stronger than ever. We’re proud to be part of that movement.”
Couldn’t attend? You can catch the full panel session on demand, thanks to our brilliant partners at Jacobs Massey, who were on hand to record the entire event – click here to view: https://youtu.be/aSpxpy4Rovk
The conversation doesn’t end here—download the guide, watch the session, and join the mission to make events truly sustainable.