As the only business events association dedicated exclusively to the global incentive travel industry, it’s imperative that SITE continues exploring best practices, encouraging new ideas, and leading conversations around sustainable incentives — starting with our own events.

Here are some of the steps we’re taking at SITE Global Conference 2022 to be mindful of our impacts.

Sustainability on the agenda

You can browse the full agenda here, but several of the sessions that will specifically touch on sustainability topics during this year’s Conference program include:

• Masterclass: The Compelling Business Case for Sustainable Tourism | Thursday, April 21 from 10:45 AM–12:30 PM (pre-registration required)
• Lunchtime Masterclass: Food, Wine & Sustainability | Thursday, April 21 from 12:30–15:45 PM (pre-registration required)
• Dialogue Den: Sustainability: Join the conversation | Thursday, April 21 from 16:00–17:00 PM
• Learning Lab: Sustainability and Circular Economy: what the future holds | Friday, April 22 from 10:30–11:15 AM

Spring in your step for Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day on Friday, April 22, skip the coach transfer and join us instead for a guided spring walk to the CCD for our last day of Conference activities! We’ll be departing from the St. Stephens Green area (meet at the Shelbourne to be sure you find the group) at 8 AM on the Friday of Global Conference. You’ll feel the spring breeze as you walk along the Liffey during a 25-minute walk to the Convention Centre, led by local SITE Ireland members. 

Limited coach transportation will still be available, but we highly encourage anyone who is comfortable doing so to join us on our Friday walking routes.

Carbon offsets at the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD)

Fáilte Ireland is kindly covering the cost of a carbon offsetting package the CCD offers to all groups. The CCD is also the world’s first carbon-neutral constructed convention centre and is generally considered one of Europe's most environmentally friendly venues. You can learn more about the CCD’s practices here.

Better food for a better world

We hope you’ll enjoy tasty, healthy meals at the CCD — it wouldn’t surprise us! The CCD has achieved Gold Status with the World Obesity Foundation. These best practices, combined with using seasonal and local Irish ingredients, leads to fantastic meals for everyone.

Trees, in memoriam

Thank you to SITE Ireland, whose partnership with Grown Forest plants native Irish trees back into the land we love. Two trees have been planted in honor of this year’s Conference, one each for our beloved Miek and Piers.

Return what you won’t wear

All SITE Global Conference attendees can pick up a Meet in Ireland jacket from the Meet in Ireland desk at the CCD on Wednesday, April 20. While we encourage everyone to wear their jackets during their time in Dublin, we’ll be collecting jackets back on the final day of Global Conference from anyone who does not wish to bring it home (though you are very much welcome to!). Any jackets left at our drop-off point will be dry-cleaned and used for future events. 

Of course, sustainable event practices is something we’re all continuing to meaningfully embrace, and an area where many of us event profs are actively learning new best and most effective practices. We warmly welcome your feedback on improving the footprint and sustainability activities of future SITE Global Conferences!