While the field of corporate sustainability has rapidly advanced in areas such as supply chains and reporting, events often lag behind. Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, typically grouped under the MICE acronym, generate waste in ways that are not obvious, like paper badges and countless packages.
In 2026, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are stepping up not only to provide logistics, but also to offer consultancy in terms of sustainability to educate clients on hidden waste and guide them towards greener practices.
The Problem of Hidden Waste
Companies must pay special attention to this issue during events because, since the production of waste is not obvious in that scenario, it is often overlooked. Here are some examples to keep in mind:
Paper overload
Signage, printed agendas, paper badges… there is a lot of paper material which must be discarded after a single use. Most of it can be recycled, but it is easy for people to ignore that.
Packaging waste
Empty boxes stacked around, leftover promotional items everywhere, and single-use materials in general are another common problem. Since everyone is working to get the event ready as soon as possible, people rarely take time to dispose of this kind of waste in a sustainable way.
Inefficient logistics
Fragmented deliveries, excessive transport runs, and poorly planned storage areas all contribute to a general waste of resources. Sometimes, even small plans can make logistics faster and more efficient during an event.
All those issues bring excessive costs to event preparation, damage companies’ ESG scores, and go against any commitment the company has in terms of environmental responsibility. In most cases, they can be addressed simply by raising awareness to the importance of small actions whether during the event or its preparation phase.
Where DMCs Make the Biggest Difference
Unlike generalist service providers, destination management companies have the expertise to combine local knowledge with sustainability know-how. The list below compiles examples in which they can cause the strongest impact:
Venue selection
DMCs can focus on event venues which boast environmental certificates. That means they are deeply committed to practices such as recycling programs, energy-efficient infrastructure, and water reuse. Those venues have many ways to make any event much more sustainable despite its size or number of attendees.
Supplier vetting
These companies can also prioritize vendors who meet the latest sustainability standards. That is the case with caterers which use local produce, suppliers with ecological packaging, technology companies with energy-efficient AV equipment, and staging companies which maximize the use of recyclable material.
Efficient waste disposal
It is also possible to design events with integrated strategies for waste reduction. Digital signs, less printed material, organized transportation schedules… DMCs can use their specialized knowledge to find new ways to optimize event planning towards producing less waste and disposing of it appropriately.
Those are only some examples with which a destination management company can make your company’s event greener without a huge additional investment. They accumulate vast experience of event planning in their location, so they will have all the necessary resources and contacts to design and implement both punctual and broad strategies to improve the event’s impact.
Practical Examples of Green Events
There are many DMCs around the world which are already implementing solutions aimed at improving the environmental impact caused by the events they plan. Those actions add to their vast experience, especially in their specific location, and make them even better as the local reference for event planning. In this topic, you can find some actual cases:
| Green practice | How it works at the event |
|---|---|
| Digital materials | Replacing printed signs and schedules with dedicated apps and QR codes to online files. While this strategy is not necessarily cheaper, it significantly reduces the amount of paper generated and transported to the event. |
| Local sourcing | Choosing nearby suppliers is an excellent idea when it comes to lowering transportation emissions and costs. DMCs are ideal for that task because they already have a solid network of local suppliers with proven expertise. |
| Transport consolidation | By grouping attendees, it is possible to reduce the number of times a vehicle is used. Then again, this strategy can only work if the destination management company receives the itinerary with enough time. |
| Reusable infrastructure | Modular staging material, recyclable decoration items, LED lighting systems… reusable parts and supplies make event preparation not only more sustainable but also immensely faster and cheaper to execute. |
Since DMCs are specialized in one destination, it is likely that each one has even more strategies towards those goals, some of them adapted to the reality of their region of focus. That is one of the many reasons why those companies are more prepared to handle corporate event planning than generalist suppliers.
Briefing a DMC for Sustainable Corporate Events
While sustainability is a goal that should be pursued in all possible ways, it is comprehensible that each company has specific priorities. DMCs can help in numerous ways, of course, but the best way for your company to achieve the desired impact is by taking time to communicate its sustainability objectives in a clear and precise manner. Here are some ways to do so:
Waste reduction targets
Minimizing paper or single-use plastic materials are typical examples in this case. However, it goes without saying that pursuing either goal (or both) implies implementing different strategies across all stages of event planning. It is important to inform the DMC which way the company wants to go with its corporate event.
Carbon footprint limits
Hiring local suppliers, optimizing transportation routes, finding ways to net the event’s overall emissions… there are many ways to lower the carbon footprint of an event, but they come at a cost. The company must be clear about how far it wants to go in that regard because it will impact on the cost structure of its event planning.
ESG reporting metrics
There are multiple indicators with which one can keep track of an event’s environmental impact. Established DMCs can measure them and create elaborate reports for the host company, but doing so requires additional steps in their work. Companies must be clear regarding how deep and detailed they want the event’s ESG tracking to be.
Those parameters and many others can be easily expressed through a strong brief. This document must contain a description of everything the company wants at its event, including environmental requirements. By listing those goals in detail, it allows the DMC to draw and execute a work plan that will effectively reach the desired goals and cause the desired ESG impact.
Questions to Ask the DMC about its Sustainable Practices
The previous topic sheds light on the importance of properly communicating the company’s requirements for the DMC. Now, it is time to think about the other side: the company can (and should) inquire about the DMC’s practices in terms of sustainability.
Since this topic has become a major part of corporate goals, experience in it is now a valuable asset for any service provider. We have prepared some questions with which you can discuss this topic:
- What green-certified venues do you recommend?
- How do you minimize packaging and single-use materials?
- Can you mention past events where you reduced waste?
- How do you measure and report on sustainability outcomes?
With questions like those, you will be able to identify whether you are dealing with a DMC which is truly committed to pursuing sustainable goals, or if the company you contacted is simply offering vague and cliché claims regarding being “eco-friendly”.
Find DMCs with Verified Expertise in Sustainability
Companies have finally realized that sustainability is not optional. Major players have tough ESG goals to pursue, so they need to work with partners who have the knowledge and experience to help them with that.
By hiring the right DMC, the company gains a trusted logistic manager and sustainability consultant, which ensures that its event meets all the necessary environmental goals. That is a sure way to impress stakeholders.
Search for top-tier DMCs with verified sustainability expertise on DMC.travel and make your next event greener, smarter, and more prepared than ever for the future.
