Today’s subject is the GSTC criteria and indicators for MICE industry.
MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions and it represents a lucrative part of the tourism mix across the globe. MICE can also be referred to as Business Tourism or Business Events. (Northern Ireland Tourism website).
Are you looking for the tour operators, hotel and destination GSTC criteria? They are available here. https://sustainabletourismworld.com/gstc-criteria-and-indicators-insight/
The GSTC MICE Criteria (for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions) aim to be the industry’s global sustainability standards (and reference). The GSTC criteria were created to provide a common understanding of sustainable tourism in the MICE industry worldwide. The GSTC MICE Criteria are the minimum any MICE business should aspire to reach. They are organised, as usual, around four main themes: effective sustainability planning, maximising social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative impacts on the environment. They apply to the entire MICE industry. (GSTC website)
Venues https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-mice-criteria-for-venues/
Event organizers https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-mice-criteria-for-event-organizers
Event and exibititions https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-mice-criteria-for%20events-exhibitions/
The criteria are available in English only at the moment.
The GSTC MICE Criteria have been developed for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. The development process was an 18-month-long journey from September 2022 to February 2024, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The GSTC Criteria indicate what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Criteria.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A1 Sustainability policy and plan. | 1 – 8 | 1 – 7 | 1 – 7 | 12 | |
The venue has a sustainability policy and plan that applies to all events they host. A person or group is responsible for implementing and reviewing the policy and plan periodically. The policy and plan drive continuous improvement.
- The venue has a sustainability policy and a multi-year sustainability plan.
- Venues that are part of a multi-location brand have a sustainability plan specific to the individual property (not just an overarching corporate policy).
- The policy and plan are being actively implemented. A person or group is responsible for implementing and monitoring the policy and plan.
- The policy and plan address the environment; the local community, economy, and culture; human rights; and health and safety.
- The policy and plan include measurable goals.
- The policy and plan include a process for monitoring continuous improvement in sustainability performance.
- The policy is reviewed at least every three years, and the plan is reviewed annually.
- The sustainability policy is approved by the general manager, a senior executive, or an equivalent position.
The event organizer and exhibition has a sustainability policy and plan that applies to all events they organize. A person or group is responsible for implementing the policy and plan and reviewing it periodically. The policy and plan drive continuous improvement.
- The event organizer has a sustainability policy and a multi-year sustainability.
- The policy and plan are being actively implemented. A person or group is responsible for implementing and monitoring the policy and plan.
- The policy and plan address the environment; the local community, economy, and culture; human rights; and health and safety.
- The policy and plan include measurable goals.
- The policy and plan include a process for monitoring continuous improvement in sustainability performance.
- The policy is reviewed at least every three years, and the plan is reviewed annually.
- The sustainability policy is approved by a senior leader of the event organizer.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A2 Risk management | 1 – 6 | 1 – 6 | 1 – 6 | 12 | |
The venue/ event organiser manages risks and has contingency plans for unexpected situations during the event.
- The venue/event organiser conducts a documented analysis of risks that may affect the health and safety of people on-site during events.
- The venue/ event organiser conducts a documented analysis of risks that the events it hosts may pose to the environment, the local community, and the economy. The venue/ event organiser consults local stakeholders during the analysis.
- The venue has a plan to prevent and mitigate identified risks during events.
- A person or group is responsible for conducting risk analyses, implementing prevention and mitigation plans, and communicating the plan to the relevant staff and stakeholders.
- The venue/ event organiser has an emergency and/or crisis management plan, including staff roles and consideration of people with disabilities. A person or group is responsible for maintaining and communicating the plan and facilitating its implementation when needed.
- All plans for preventing and mitigating risks or responding to emergencies include steps for collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders if a risk or crisis escalates beyond the event venue.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A3. Legal compliance | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 16 |
The venue is in compliance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations.
- The venue is in compliance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations in all countries of operation, including, among others, health, safety, labor, and environmental aspects.
- The venue possesses up-to-date versions of all necessary official documents, such as permits, licenses, and certificates.
- All permanent and temporary structures constituting the venue comply with zoning requirements and laws related to protected and sensitive areas and heritage considerations.
The event organizer/ exhibition is in compliance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations.
- The event organizer is in compliance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations in all countries of operation, including, among others, health, safety, labor, and environmental aspects.
- The event organizer possesses up-to-date versions of all necessary official documents, such as permits, licenses, and certificates.
- The event organizer ensures that all temporary structures constituting the event venues or serving as event organizer offices comply with zoning requirements and laws related to protected and sensitive areas and heritage considerations.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A4. Reporting and communication | 1 – 5 | 1 – 4 | 1 – 4 | 12 and 17 | |
The venue communicates its sustainability policy, actions, and performance to stakeholders, including the local community, and seeks to engage their support.
- The venue makes its sustainability policy available to stakeholders and the local community.
- The venue publishes an annual sustainability performance report online, shares it with all stakeholders, and makes the report available in an offline format upon request.
- All communications about the venue, including promotions and marketing, are accurate with regard to its sustainability claims.
- Sustainability actions and policies relevant to attendees are visible during the event via methods that adhere to sustainable best practices for displays and communications (see A9.7).
- The venue provides a post-event sustainability report to each event client containing data for sustainability functions operated by the venue, such as waste disposal, energy consumption, and water consumption.
The event organizer (for events and exhibitions) communicates its sustainability policy, actions, and performance to stakeholders, including the local community, and seeks to engage their support.
- The event organizer makes its sustainability policy available to stakeholders and the local community.
- The event organizer makes its post-event sustainability performance report available online, shares it with all stakeholders, and makes the report available in an offline format upon request.
- All communications produced or commissioned by the event organizer, including promotions and marketing, are accurate with regard to sustainability claims.
Event communications do not prematurely claim sustainability results. Communications may describe sustainability policies and plans and may refer to past performance, but results are only published once all steps have been taken to execute and measure the implementation.
- Sustainability actions and policies relevant to attendees are visible during the event via methods that adhere to sustainable best practices for displays and communications (see A9.8).
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A 5.Staff engagement | 1 – 5 | 1 – 5 | 1 – 5 | 4 and 17 | |
Staff are engaged with developing and implementing the sustainability policy and plan. Staff receive guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities in their delivery.
- Staff are included in the development and engaged with the implementation of the sustainability policy and plan.
- Staff and volunteers receive guidance and training regarding their roles and esponsibilities with respect to sustainability policies, plans, and practices. Records of training or guidance are available.
- Staff training and guidance materials are available for reference, including in multiple languages and formats accessible to people with disabilities as needed, to train all relevant staff.
- The venue and event organizer seeks feedback from staff on the sustainability policy, plan, and practices. This feedback is taken into consideration for continuous improvement.
- Staff have the option to submit feedback anonymously and are protected from retaliation.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A6. Stakeholder collaboration | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 4 and 17 | |
Stakeholder feedback, including aspects of sustainability, is monitored and corrective action is taken.
- Stakeholder feedback, including aspects of sustainability, is monitored, analyzed, and used for continuous improvement.
- The venue/ event organizer communicates how stakeholders and attendees can support or submit feedback about the sustainability policy, plan, and implementation.
- The venue/event organizer takes corrective action where appropriate, documents it, and consults the affected stakeholders for feedback.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A7. Destination sustainability | 1 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 3 | 11 and 17 | |
The venue aligns its activities to the destination’s sustainable tourism plans and goals and contributes to their development.
- The venue is involved with sustainable tourism planning and management in the destination.
The event organizer actively considers sustainability factors when selecting event destinations. The event organizer aligns its activities to the destination’s sustainable tourism plans and goals and contributes to their development.
- The event organizer is aware of the sustainability plans and goals of the DMO (Destination Management Organization) or an equivalent body in the event destination or the country.
- The event organizer has a documented process for evaluating sustainability characteristics of event destinations during site selection, such as certification, proximity to the attendees, or proven records of sustainability practices.
- The event organizer is involved with sustainable tourism planning and management in the country where it is based, where such opportunities exist.
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A8. Sustainable practices and materials in buildings and infrastructure | 1 – 3 | 1 – 2 | 1 – 2 | 9, 11, 12 | |
The venue uses local and sustainable practices and materials.
- The venue uses local materials, practices, and crafts in buildings, temporary structures, and designs where practical and appropriate.
- For any temporary structures provided or sourced by the venue, the venue chooses rented materials that can otherwise be diverted from landfills and incinerators according to its solid waste management plan (see D2.4).
- The venue pursues a third-party audited green building certification for any currently planned or in-progress construction or significant renovations.
- The event organizer uses local materials, practices, and crafts in buildings, temporary structures, and designs where practical and appropriate.
- For any temporary structures, the event organizer chooses materials that are rented or can otherwise be diverted from landfills and incinerators according to its solid waste management plan (see D2.4).
Criteria | Venues indicators | Events & Exhibitions indicators | Event Organizer indicators | SDGs | |
SECTION A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |||||
A9. Purchasing and contracting | 1 – 7 | 1 – 8 | 1 – 5 | 2, 8, 12 | |
The venue’s purchasing policies favour sustainable, local, and fair-trade suppliers and products. Purchasing procedures are managed to minimize the environment’s impact.
- The venue has a written sustainable purchasing policy that prefers sustainable, local, and/or fair-trade suppliers and products when available.
- The sustainable purchasing policy includes event displays and decorations, food & beverages, building materials, temporary structures, promotional items, and consumables purchased directly by the venue.
- The venue’s sustainable purchasing policy prefers reusable or rented goods over consumable or disposable goods when available.
- The venue’s sustainable purchasing policy favors recyclable or recycled-content products when the purchase of consumable or disposable goods is unavoidable.
- The sustainable purchasing policy is being actively implemented.
- Contracts with suppliers include environmental sustainability requirements relevant to each supplier, including a target percentage of sustainability-certified products as applicable.
- Signs, banners, and other on-site displays and communications posted by the venue are displayed electronically, saved for future reuse, or printed on locally recyclable materials.
The event organizer’s purchasing policies favour sustainable, local, and fair-trade suppliers and products. Purchasing procedures are managed to minimize impact on the environment.
- The event organizer has a written sustainable purchasing policy that prefers sustainable, local and/or fair-trade suppliers and products when available.
- The sustainable purchasing policy includes event displays and decorations, food & beverage, building materials, temporary structures, promotional items, and consumables purchased directly by the event organizer.
- The event organizer’s sustainable purchasing policy prefers reusable or rented goods over consumable or disposable goods when available.
- The event organizer’s sustainable purchasing policy favours recyclable or recycled-content products when the purchase of consumable or disposable goods is unavoidable.
- The sustainable purchasing policy is being actively implemented.
Exhibitions
1 – 5 (above ) plus:
- Contracts with suppliers include environmental sustainability requirements relevant to each supplier, including a target percentage of sustainability-certified products as applicable.
- The event organizer provides exhibitors with guidance about sustainable procurement, especially of booths and displays.
- Signs, banners, and other on-site displays and communications posted by the event organizer are displayed electronically, saved for future reuse, or printed on locally recyclable materials.
Sara
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