Sustainability is a principle that has been applied to practically every sector in global business.
The world’s meetings, incentive travel, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector, in particular, has been ramping up its own standards to stage events that are beneficial to both industry and the environment.
As such, MICE in Asia is actively working to reduce high resource consumption whilst growing regulatory demands and protecting long-term business viability.
In which case, we have to ask: is it possible for the regional sector to become truly sustainable?
What true sustainable MICE entails
In Asia, sustainability in MICE is currently being driven by major regional frameworks, green venue transformations, and localised supply chains.
Regional players have likewise come up with their respective strategic frameworks, along with industrial standards/
Consider the case of Singapore’s expanded Sustainable Tourism Roadmap (Roadmap 2.0).
The initiative’s expansion was jointly announced at the Singapore MICE Forum on Thursday, 30th July, by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS).
Compared to the original roadmap, Roadmap 2.0 goes beyond environmental goals to incorporate community and economic value.
As of press time, all six major purpose-built venues in Singapore have already achieved sustainability certifications.
Over the way in Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s programme integrates solar energy, waste tracking, and farm-to-functions programmes that connect venues directly with local organic farmers.
Practices now coming into play
MICE firms and suppliers throughout the region have been switching up their operations to include relevant sustainability measures, including:
- Circular Design Event organisers replace single-use plastics and wood booths with modular rented systems, FSC-certified cardboard signage, and digital registration apps; and
- Carbon Tracking Venues across Taipei, Tokyo, and Bangkok increasingly utilize AI-driven metrics and standardized third-party data audits to verify lower emissions.
