The beam and MIA ESG Summit showed that the industry is moving "from words to action" on sustainability, according to beam chair Louisa Watson.
The summit saw industry experts come together at Warwick Conferences on Monday (15 September) to share practical strategies for embedding
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across the meetings and
events sector.
Attendees heard how purpose-driven business models,
responsible supply chains, and transparent certification frameworks are
transforming the industry.
Highlights included:
- Ticket Tailor's 'growth on purpose' strategy,
which ties profit-sharing and carbon reduction to business growth.
- Panel discussions around authenticity, business
efficiency, and the importance of ingraining ESG into business practices.
- The younger generation being encouraged to lead
in ESG initiatives, with training and clear communication essential.
- The introduction of the carbon literacy concept,
with a call to action for businesses to work towards it.
A recurring theme was the importance of consistency and
credibility. With clients demanding tangible proof points, speakers stressed
that schemes such as B Corp and Greengage ECOsmart are becoming essential. At
the same time, innovation is helping venues and agencies cut energy bills,
reduce waste, and demonstrate measurable impact while maintaining competitive
pricing.
Louisa Watson, beam chair, said: "This summit shows
that our industry is moving from words to action. What really stood out for me
was the reminder that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. As an industry,
we mustn't be afraid to start small, be authentic, and accept that we are all a
work in progress. What matters most is that we take action, however modest, and
do it with credibility. ESG is about being brave, creative, and consistent, and
when it becomes part of everyday decision-making, it delivers reputation,
resilience, and change."
Shonali Devereaux, MIA chief executive, added: “Every
session reinforced that embedding ESG into our business DNA is not only a moral
imperative but also presents a powerful commercial advantage. To truly see
sustainability as a winning strategy, we must broaden our definition of ROI
recognising that it delivers trust, loyalty and long-term business resilience.
Small, authentic actions, from advocating with clients to building carbon
literacy and accountability within our teams, are steps that will future-proof
our organisations and our industry. Most importantly, we must begin asking
ourselves: what can we do tomorrow that we aren’t doing today?”
The beam & MIA ESG Summit positions the UK's meetings
and events industry at the forefront of responsible business practice, setting
a strong example for global counterparts.
