As a PCO with a design approach, we create and organise congresses for a wide range of organisations. We bring people and science together from all over the world to promote knowledge sharing and social progress. As a strategic congress partner, we look beyond the congress itself. What impact does it have on our environment? Are we truly involving everyone? Together with the LOC, for instance, we explore ways to lower barriers for those with fewer financial resources to travel. To ensure equal opportunities, there are, for example, travel grants available, we can offer part of the programme via livestream, or provide discounts based on the standard of living and income distribution in a country.

Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of scientific progress and makes the world more sustainable, healthier, safer, and more inclusive. With the help of our Meeting Design Tool, we consider the underlying question early in the process. It helps to clearly define the congress’s message and target audience. This, in turn, influences the choice of relevant speakers and matching abstract management. Learning is a continuous process. Beyond the congress, this can include providing on-demand content.

Within the entire chain of congresses in an international context, we constantly examine opportunities for sustainability and optimisation. This includes CO₂ emissions, the use of green energy, live and online congress formats, food and catering, waste and disposal. One way or another, a congress has positive impact, because it brings people, culture, and science together; negatively, because it leaves a CO₂ footprint. We can limit this by encouraging smart travel (venues near public transport and with a Green Key label, carpooling, no business class for speakers), offering only vegetarian catering, and using innovative forms of energy generation.

We also work as much as possible with local suppliers and choose seasonal products. Using digital solutions instead of print also helps, and if printing is necessary, we opt for reusing stands and undated designs. Furthermore, we focus on increasing social return, giving back to the earth and/or a specific region or community, by also examining ecological and economic footprints. For example, through a local charity run, we can attract sponsors and support refugees. The possibilities are endless, and it is mainly about awareness and breaking patterns. Using our Sustainability Checklist, we make these issues discussable in an objective and concrete manner.

Sustainability is a shared effort. It is co-creation, a partnership. It is about sharing knowledge and taking responsibility. In all areas, we add value with clear criteria, creative solutions, facilitating Meeting Design sessions, and sharing our expertise. We always engage with our clients on how to achieve sustainable growth and optimisation for and with their organisation. We often work side by side for months or years, and as a core PCO, we can make real improvements in sustainability and efficiency. We also critically review our collaboration with suppliers. Here too, our goal is 100% climate neutrality by 2025. As a PCO with a purpose, we explore how this can be achieved in a feasible and practical way.