German Convention Bureau: Building Sustainability and Resilience for the German Event Industry
Matthias Schultze, Managing Director GCB
GCB German Convention Bureau, is the central marketing organization for the German business events industry and positions itself as an exemplary player in sustainability. GCB contributes to raising awareness for the sustainable development of business events with targeted activities for members, partners, and event planners. GCB has been certified since 2012 and after a decade is recognized as a prestigious Green Globe GOLD member.
The GCB assumes responsibility for sustainable management, the sustainable use of resources and thus for sustainable living. GCB takes into account compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uses them as a guide to help achieve the global goal of Agenda 2030.
Matthias Schultze, Managing Director GCB, says, “In a complex environment with global challenges such as climate change and pandemics, business events remain one of the essential tools for solving complex issues. People coming together for meetings, congresses, and events drive knowledge exchange and strengthen networks across industries and countries.
“The decision as to whether these events themselves are implemented in a sustainable manner is no longer optional; event owners as well as suppliers place sustainability at the top of their agenda,” added Managing Director Schultze.
Net Zero Carbon Events
The GCB joined the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative as a partner from its very beginnings in 2021. Hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and supported by the UNFCCC secretariat, this global initiative brings together the international event industry to jointly face and overcome the challenges of global climate change. The GCB also aims to act as a multiplier, inviting all relevant players in Germany to make their own contribution in light of the challenges faced by global warming.
right and fair – the German-speaking event industry’s sustainability code
One of the most important offerings initiated by GCB is right and fair, the sustainability code for the German-speaking event industry. It is a voluntary commitment to corporate responsibility for sustainability both internally for company organizations as well as the running of events. Since 2012, it has served as a practical guide and stimulus for all those involved in the process chain and enables event industry providers to transparently document their sustainable activities in a sustainability profile. right and fair offers the perfect gateway for companies and organizations to commit to sustainability.
greenmeetings & events Conference / SECON.
Since 2011, the GCB and the EVVC European Association of Event Centers have jointly organized the greenmeetings & events conference, which will be relaunched in 2023 under its new name, Sustainable Events Conference - Shaping the Future (SECON). With this conference, which is held every 2 years, the topic of sustainability, in all its dimensions and tailor-made for the event industry, will be highlighted. SECON’s aim is to promote ecological, economic, and social development in the industry and to provide all stakeholders with measures and strategies for more sustainability.
Trainings for Sustainability Consultants
Since its launch in 2012, more than 700 participants have completed the training session to become a Sustainability Consultant, designed by the GCB to specifically address all stakeholders in the business events industry. In addition to a general overview, the seminar provides the necessary know-how to integrate sustainability into the internal structures of industry players. The advanced training enables the participants to design a sustainable event from start to finish. Thus, this training forms another building block by GCB to firmly anchor the megatrend of sustainability in the industry, and to work together to achieve the goal of Agenda 2030.
Contact:
Dr. Martina Neunecker
Director Communications & Strategy
GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.
c/o WeWork
Taunusanlage 8
60329 Frankfurt a. M.
Deutschland/Germany
Phone: +49 69 242930-25
Mobile: +49 151 16740028
neunecker@gcb.de
www.gcb.de
Bradley Cox
Director Communications
Green Globe Certification
1223 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 925
Santa Monica, CA 90403 / U.S.A.
Phone: +1-310-337-3000 ext. 105
Skype Direct +1 760 536 6581
Mobile +61 400 848 746
bcox@greenglobe.com
www.greenglobe.com
About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com
