EIC advances the Sustainable Event Goals: 13 interlinked goals translating the UN SDGs for business events

The Events Industry Council is taking the Sustainable Event Goals (SEGs) into their next phase, moving the framework from ambition to implementation. Launched at IMEX Frankfurt 2026 and developed through global cross-sector collaboration, the SEGs comprise 13 interlinked goals intended to minimise negative environmental and social impacts while promoting positive economic outcomes, translating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into event-specific priorities for organisers, suppliers, destinations and partners. EIC is explicit that the SEGs are neither a certification nor a replacement for existing frameworks: they provide a shared language and point of reference that helps organisations decide where to focus and connect sustainability priorities to decisions made across the event lifecycle. EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert said organisations have spent years navigating a complex landscape of competing frameworks and expectations, and that the SEGs supply a shared foundation that aligns with established standards rather than adding another layer. EIC framed the problem the SEGs address as one of alignment and implementation rather than a shortage of commitment.