Sustainable Events Blueprint
On-Demand
Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s crucial for today’s business events. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the industry, this new on-demand course will position you as a leader in sustainable event management by providing actionable strategies to create more environmentally responsible events.
CE Hours
Earn 3 continuing education units
Modules
3 modules of content
Format
On-Demand
What You'll Learn
Through practical insights from subject matter experts, you’ll build skills in measuring, implementing, and communicating event sustainability:
- Full Lifecycle Approach: Master sustainable event design from concept to execution and post-event measurement. Understand how to integrate sustainability at every stage while aligning with key industry frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, and net-zero commitments.
- Expert-Led Insights: Gain knowledge from climate scientists, sustainability strategists, and industry leaders who provide real-world case studies, best practices, and cutting-edge research to inform your approach.
- Actionable Skills & Tools: Go beyond theory with hands-on exercises, pre-assessments, and interactive discussions.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Learn how to measure event emissions, interpret sustainability data, and navigate the complexities of environmental impact reporting.
- Competitive Advantage: Stay ahead in an evolving industry by meeting the increasing expectations of attendees, clients, and stakeholders for eco-friendly and socially responsible events.
This course was developed in partnership with Destination Canada.
Course Outline
Sustainable Event Fundamentals
Sustainable Event Fundamentals introduces event professionals to the foundational principles of sustainable event strategy. Participants will explore the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), common event emissions, and the business case for sustainability. The course also addresses critical issues such as climate justice, climate anxiety, and the psychological impacts of environmental challenges. By equipping participants with essential knowledge and tools, this course empowers event planners to create impactful, responsible, and future-ready events.
Key Learnings:
- Understanding Sustainability in Events: Learn the core principles of sustainability and how they apply to event planning.
- Sustainable Event Strategy Framework: Explore a five-phase approach to integrating sustainability into events.
- Business Case for Sustainability: Learn how sustainable event practices align with financial, regulatory, and reputational benefits.
- Sustainable Procurement & Budgeting: Discover cost-effective and strategic ways to incorporate sustainability into event planning.
- Sustainable Food & Beverage Solutions: Understand the impact of food production and consumption on event sustainability.
- Venue & Destination Selection: Learn how to choose event locations that align with sustainable best practices.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Social Impact: Explore strategies for engaging attendees, vendors, and local communities in sustainability efforts.
- Measuring and Communicating Impact: Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and effective storytelling techniques to highlight sustainability efforts.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Define Sustainability in Event Planning: Clearly articulate sustainability principles and their significance in the event industry.
- Develop a Sustainable Event Strategy: Apply a structured framework to incorporate sustainability into event planning.
- Build a Business Case for Sustainability: Advocate for sustainable event strategies within their organizations using financial and strategic justifications.
- Implement Cost-Effective Sustainability Solutions: Identify sustainable event practices that align with budgetary constraints and business goals.
Advanced Sustainable Event Design
Advanced Sustainable Event Design empowers event professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to create impactful, environmentally responsible events. This course integrates cutting-edge sustainability practices, strategic event design, and AI-driven solutions to align events with the increasing global demand for eco-conscious planning. Participants will gain actionable skills to minimize environmental impact while ensuring business viability and competitive advantage.
Key Learnings:
- Strategic Sustainable Event Design: Understand how to integrate sustainability from the initial planning stages through execution and post-event reflection.
- Sustainable Procurement: Develop strategies for sourcing sustainable vendors, securing partnerships, and aligning events with corporate sustainability goals.
- Measuring Sustainability ROI & KPIs: Gain insights into sustainability metrics, key performance indicators, and reporting mechanisms to assess event impact.
- Policy Development for Sustainable Events: Learn how to craft sustainability policies that align with organizational objectives and industry best practices.
- Circularity, Regeneration & Carbon Emissions Reduction: Discover innovative event strategies such as circular economy principles, regenerative approaches, and carbon footprint reduction.
- Storytelling & Data Communication: Understand how to effectively communicate sustainability successes through data-driven storytelling.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Design Sustainable Events: Apply a structured approach to integrating sustainability across all event phases.
- Develop & Implement Sustainability Policies: Create event-specific sustainability policies and ensure compliance with organizational and industry standards.
- Measure & Optimize Sustainability ROI: Establish and analyze sustainability KPIs to improve event performance and demonstrate value.
Sustainable Event Measurement & Analysis
Sustainable Event Measurement & Analysis provides event professionals with a structured approach to measuring, analyzing, and reporting sustainability in events. Participants will gain insights into the importance of sustainability metrics, explore various data collection tools, and learn how to effectively communicate their findings. The course emphasizes the critical role of measurement in creating impactful sustainability strategies, ensuring compliance, and demonstrating business value.
Key Learnings:
- Understanding Sustainability Metrics: Learn the significance of measurement and analytics in sustainable event planning.
- Sustainability Reporting Essentials: Explore reporting frameworks, including compliance standards and industry best practices.
- Data Collection Tools & Techniques: Learn about various emissions calculators, tracking systems, and scientifically reliable data sources.
- Setting SMART Goals & KPIs: Develop measurable sustainability goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for event impact assessment.
- Sustainable Procurement & Contracting: Learn how to integrate measurement into procurement processes for better tracking and accountability.
- Continuous Improvement Strategies: Identify opportunities for ongoing sustainability enhancement through analytics-driven decision-making.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Develop a Sustainability Measurement Strategy: Identify what to measure and establish a structured approach to data collection.
- Analyze Event Sustainability Data: Utilize event measurement tools and methodologies to assess sustainability performance.
- Set Measurable Sustainability Goals: Define and implement KPIs to track environmental, social, and financial impact.
- Create Data-Driven Reports: Develop sustainability reports that align with industry standards and stakeholder expectations.
How This Course Works
This course is delivered entirely on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace — no set schedule required. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can move through the content when it works best for you and revisit key lessons as many times as you need.
Pre-recorded Modules
Move through the course with on-demand video lessons crafted and delivered by an industry expert — giving you direct access to honed, real-world insight whenever you're ready for it.
Course Access Window
You'll have access to this course for one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment, giving you plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace. Need more time? Extended access is available for an additional fee — just reach out to our team to request an extension.
Counts Toward Your CMP
PCMA Institute is recognized by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education. Completing this course qualifies for CMP continuing education credit, so every hour you invest moves your certification forward.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Marley Finnegan
PURPOSE
Marley is the founder of Purpose Sustainability Strategy, sustainable event consultancy + education, and sister service, group travel emissions calculator Purpose Net Zero, which simplifies the measurement + management of 70-90% of travel emissions, aka the attendee travel footprint.
She has over 20 years experience in the large scale events industry, having played pivotal roles in partnerships, strategy, sales, planning and business development for high performing event agencies.
Having worked in all aspects of the event life cycle – she now views it from an emissions mitigating lens. She created the PURPOSE SUSTAINABLE EVENT STRATEGY ACCREDITATION to help event professionals and their teams scale sustainable event strategy, organization-wide.
After having taken over 260 hrs. worth of sustainability related education, including unique perspectives on Regenerative Systems thinking and Degrowth, she created the PURPOSE Accreditation, combining key climate knowledge with the essentials of sustainable event strategy. Marley is also GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, Certified Sustainable Event Professional by the Events Industry Council and was privately educated by the creator of MPI’s Sustainable Event Strategist Certification.
She is also supremely passionate sustainable food service. Highly focused on food insecurity solutions at scale and operationalizing food donation programming + reusables into venues + foodservice business models, she aims to support communities while proactively addressing forthcoming compliance and carbon market opportunities.
Further, she believes that we must “heal our inner landscapes in order to heal our outer environments,” which is where her work at THE BLUEPRINT comes in. THE BLUEPRINT is a podcast and community which aims to reconnect people to their inner truth and the healing tools they innately hold within; to enable environmental connection + activism throughout.
A daily meditation practice, her child & a deep empathy for mother earth inspired Marley into entrepreneurship – and PURPOSE.
Ready to Level Up?
We want to make sure you're getting the best price available to you. PCMA and CEMA members, as well as Institute subscribers, automatically receive a discount — no codes needed. Simply log in at checkout and your savings will be applied based on your account.
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Satisfaction Guarantee
The PCMA Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn’t learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we’ll give you a full refund. Full terms & conditions apply.
