The German arm of sports and entertainment company AEG has detailed plans to introduce a self-operated reusable cup system at its venues across the country.
Hamburg?s 16,000-capacity Barclays Arena and the 17,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin will be among the venues to take part in the scheme, which will launch in January.
Visitors to the venues will drink from recycled Ökocup cups, which will be washed and reused on-site to eliminate emissions that would normally be generated by transporting them to an external washing point.
The cups will be mostly made of recycled plastic and are 100% reprocessed at the end of their lifespan. The system will replace the biodegradable PLA disposable cups that are currently used for drinks across AEG Germany venues.
AEG Germany hopes to eliminate a total of 90 tonnes of waste each year by adopting the new system. The company has commissioned Meiko, which specialises in flushing technology, to install flushing systems that are capable of cleaning up to 5,300 cups an hour.
Uwe Frommhold, vice-president and chief operating officer at AEG Germany, said: ?For us, the introduction of the reusable cup system with an in-house cup rinsing line is a decisive step in our efforts to achieve more sustainability in the operation of our venues.
?Because regardless of how environmentally friendly the disposal of our cups has been carried out so far, it is simply better not to produce any waste in the first place. By purchasing an in-house rinsing line, we avoid transport-related emissions and solve the logistical challenges that previously prevented us from using a reusable system with external cup rinsing.?
U.S. and Canada Sports Organizations Offer Varying Green Sports Day Actions
Posted: 19 Dec 2022, 11:48 am
12/12/22
Labor Day vs. Labour Day
A constitutional democracy versus a parliamentary system.
Yes, there are differences between friendly neighbors (neighbours?) the United States and Canada.
Add another one to the list ? the way the two countries observe Green Sports Day.
Now, most people, beyond those deeply involved in the Green-Sports movement, do not know that October 6 is Green Sports Day. It had an auspicious launch on that date in 2016 at the Obama White House, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Green Sports Alliance. But beginning with the dawn of the Trump Era in 2017, Green Sports Day largely receded from view.
That began to change in 2021, thanks to some enterprising athletes, entrepreneurs, and academics in Canada who led a youth-targeted climate education program on what became Green Sports Day Canada.
This year, the USA, thanks to the Green Sports Alliance, got back in the Green Sports Day mix while the Canadians worked to build on their 2021 foundation.
GREEN-LIGHTING GREEN SPORTS DAY IN THE USA
The Green Sports Alliance (GSA), which helped midwife the birth of Green Sports Day in 2016, was eager energize a re-boot in the United States this October 6 after its five-year hibernation during the Trump Administration and the COVID-19 pandemic.
?We want to make Green Sports Day the fall equivalent of Earth Day,? offered Roger McClendon, Executive Director of the Alliance. ?The thing is, most people don?t know about it so we encouraged our member teams and their venues to take a number of steps before and especially on October 6 to build awareness and draw attention to many other green actions those teams are taking.?
Lighting stadium and arena lights green on Green Sports Day was clearly the highest profile of these actions. The GSA was not sure how many teams and venues would participate since this was a new initiative.
?Going into Green Sports Day, we thought maybe 50 or so venues would participate,? shared Shay Strawser, the GSA?s associate manager of communications. ?Social media and other outreach helped double that number as 105 venues lit their lights green, including the Philadelphia Eagles? Lincoln Financial Field, Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Target Center in Minneapolis, and Austin FC?s Q2 Stadium. All of the carbon emissions generated by the lighting were offset by our offset partner, South Pole. Beyond the green lighting, a handful of teams took on-field greening actions.?
Q2 Stadium, home to Austin FC of MLS, bathed itself in green lighting on Green Sports Day 2022 (Photo credit: Austin FC)
The GSA knew that there would be some teams that would not give the green light to lighting their stadiums green on October 6, but would want to participate in Green Sports Day in some way(s). To facilitate this, the organization produced an easy-to-use playbook to help teams and venues across the country (and in other countries) share their environmental- and climate-forward actions with fans, media and other stakeholders.
?The playbook included suggestions of specific greening actions teams could announce and/or take on GreenSportsDay,? Strawser noted. ?We also provided tips on how to share their Green Sports Day actions on social media and with local traditional media outlets, encouraged teams to join the ?Play to Zero? initiative that provides hands-on solutions to help map the journey to net-zero energy, water, and waste, and offered support for on-the-ground activations. The #GreenSportsDay hashtag generated 40,000 impressions on the day and the Philadelphia Eagles and Austin FC of MLS were among the teams that issued press releases about their Green Sports Day.?
Growing Green Sports Day?s awareness and impact in 2023 and beyond is a top priority for McClendon and Company.
?Our goal is to take Green Sports Day to another level entirely,? McClendon asserted. ?To do so, we need to get athletes and corporations involved and so that will be a big priority going forward.?
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEPS UP TO SUPPORT GREEN SPORTS DAY CANADA IN YEAR 2
When a team of academics, athletes and other Green-Sports practitioners got together to develop last year?s first-ever Green Sports Day Canada (GSDC) program, they sought support from the Canadian Government.
The Ministry of Heritage and Sport Canada had launched gender equity and ?safe sport? programs in recent years; and the planners worked hard to get the the agency?s backing for GSDC 2021. Things were going according to plan until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap election for mid-September, which meant that the expected funding largely evaporated.
Fortunately, flexibility turned out to be a hallmark of the Green Sports Day Canada braintrust as they shifted from in-person to virtual programming, with highlight being a vibrant, half-day virtual summit.
Fast-forward to this year and the planners again to the went to the Canadian Federal Government for funding for Green Sports Day Canada 2022?and beyond.
?The difference between Green Sports Day Canada 2021 and 2022 was that the Federal Government was able to take co-ownership of it this time,? said Dr. Madeleine ?Maddy? Orr, co-director of the Sport Ecology Group, program director of the Masters in Sustainable Sport Business at the University of Loughborough and one of the driving forces behind Green Sports Day Canada. ?The Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Sport helped drive things, which allowed us to move from a piecemeal first year to a more integrated program in 2022. And even more important than that, we can expect to be part of Canada?s National Sport Policy, which will be renewed in February for the next decade, which should have the effect of exponentially growing Green Sports Day Canada?s impact!?
This last point is worth a deeper dive. As Dr. Orr explains, ?The National Sport Policy governs everything in sports that is publicly funded in Canada. Which is basically the entire sports system, including virtually every university program, every sports club from to the community to elite levels, and the governing bodies.?
Circling back to October 6, 2022, the Green Sports Day Canada gang, fresh with some government funding, was able to build upon the foundation set in 2021.
According to Seyi (?SHAY?) Smith, a two-time Olympian¹, an EcoAthletes Champion, founder of Racing To Zero YYC², and a member of the GSDC leadership team, theirs was a three-pronged approach. The first was broadly accelerate the Climate-and-Sports conversation in Canada by ?finding more athletes and other sports leaders who are climate curious, and educating them on the good and bad that is happening when it comes to climate and its impacts on sports.? The other two were centered on October 8, 2022:
#2: Share what is happening in Green-Sports in Canada on Green Sports Day Canada to as wide an audience as possible. To do this, the organizers hosted two virtual 45-minute panels:
?From The Front Lines? featured climate-active Canadian athletes sharing their experiences. ?Julie-Anne Staehli, an Olympian at Tokyo 2020 in the 5000m run, talked about the ReRun Project,? Smith offered. ?It donates lightly unused shoes from elite runners to local organizations, giving them a second life. Doug Lynch, a retired NHL and European pro hockey player from BC, an EcoAthletes Champion and the founder of Zenkai Sports, an environmentally-friendly performance apparel company, talked about how climate change is impacting athletes now, including the sense that some prospective elite athletes are reluctant to pursue a career in their sport because of the climate concerns around the air travel, apparel and more.?
Julie-Anne Staehli leads the pack (Photo credit: Team Canada)
?Administrators and Decision Makers? was designed to show attendees how Green-Sports is working for them. Scott Welch, the executive director of the Loopt Foundation, shared the idea that our clothes, especially athletic apparel, need to turn into a force for good. Kelly Ann Paul, CEO of the Canada Games, told the story of the new, sustainably-built rowing center that was built for the 2022 Games in Niagara Falls. ?The rowing center management is striving to operate as close to Net Zero as possible?, noted Smith. And Aurelien Morel of Velo Quebec/Quebec Cycling discussed the organization?s ?Green Charter? which works to inject environmental sustainability into every aspect of its operations.
#3: Develop and implement a climate-and-sports focused school engagement program on October 6.
Martha McCabe, a swimmer for Canada at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, and founder of Head To Head, an organization dedicated to connecting Canadian Olympians with youth across Canada to impart winning habits on and off the field, and Melissa Humana-Paredes, 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Tokyo 2020 Olympian in beach volleyball, as well as an EcoAthletes Champion, teamed up with other Olympians, including Seyi Smith to lead cleanup projects across Canada for over 3,000 students, from 4th grade and up.
GSB?s Take: Both the Green Sports Alliance in the USA and Green Sports Day team in Canada can be proud of their efforts to generate awareness of and action on Green Sports Day 2022. Both groups would no doubt agree that this year was a starting point and that there is tremendous opportunity to grow the scope and impact of GSD south and north of the border.
To do so will require that 1. athletes take a more active role in Green Sports Day efforts in the USA, 2. major local and national media cover the events in both countries, and 3. climate-active corporate sponsors step up to fund in-person and virtual initiatives.
If/when this happens, we could be well on the way, as Roger McClendon mentioned, to seeing Green Sports Day become the Earth Day of the Fall.
The NBA is the most popular professional basketball team in the world. This translates into a lot of money and power. This isn?t lost on the NBA and they utilize their immense resources, influence and connections to do right by the league, its players and teams.
They have dozens of league-driven initiatives and hundreds of partnerships that support their local communities in a variety of ways, push for equality, encourage voting, uplifting HBCU, and showing up during the holidays for those that need it the most.
Here?s 10 things you may not have known the NBA does for the community behind-the-scenes.
Get Out The Vote: The NBA has used the visibility of their players to encourage more voting among their fanbase. Most recently, the league has created 30 separate videos in each of their markets where players on that local team talk about the importance of taking part in the democratic process so that their voice is heard not only for their generation but for future ones.
In addition to that, the majority of NBA arenas have opened up their doors to act as official voting centers or ballot drop offs.
NBA Green Through NBA Green, the NBA has partnered with the Green Sports Alliance to generate awareness and funds for protecting the environment. The NBA is taking steps to be more environmentally friendly and will continue to explore ways of reducing its impact on the environment through community outreach programs, generating awareness among fans and greening its operations.
Brands from different industries have understood the importance of solving social and environmental issues both in their local communities and worldwide. Besides sports associations, IT and gaming companies have their approach. One of these is the sustainability campaign by SkyCity where they take action and play a huge role in creating a better future. These companies do good and inspire their customers to make changes of their own. Being socially and environmentally aware is no longer a trend, but a necessity, and brands know it.
Social Impact Report: Every The 2021-22 NBA Social Impact Report is the league?s first annual compilation of data and information regarding the league office?s efforts in what is commonly known as ?Environmental, Social, and Governance? (E.S.G.) work. Contents of the report include the league?s programs and initiatives around community outreach, youth and elite basketball development, social justice, and diversity and inclusion, among other important areas that reflect our values and commitment.
Highlighting HCBUs The NBA wants to uplift HBCUs and they do so via a Fellowship Program which provides career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The NBA also holds the HCBU Classic ? a game played during NBA All-Star weekend. For the 2023 HCBU Classic, Grambling State University will take on Southern University.
Helping During the Holidays During Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays. NBA franchises connect with their local communities usually partnering with local organizations by providing meals as Jrue Holiday and Elfrid Payton have done, visiting the young patients and their families (as the Cleveland Cavs recently did), donating gifts to children, volunteering at soup kitchens and so many more community events.
Hoops for Troops The NBA celebrates Veterans Day every season and every year, the NBA hosts its annual Hoops for Troops Week working together with the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Throughout the celebration, NBA teams, players, coaches and referees collaborate with members of the Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines (as well as their families) to make a positive impact in communities.
Local Community Clean Ups Many NBA teams are teaming up with their local community to help clean up areas in need. For example, the Orlando Magic has a partnership with PureCycle Technologies. Working as one, their objective is to redirect thousands of pieces of plastic waste from being put into landfills or flowing into waterways in Central Florida. Learn more about the partnership here.
ATC Trees for Threes Many NBA franchises are teaming up with local groups to make the world greener. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks are working with American Transmission Company (ATC) for the sixth year with the aim to create more green spaces in Wisconsin for future generations to enjoy. Through Trees for Threes group, the ATC will donate one tree to a Wisconsin school for every 3-pointer the Bucks hit at home this season.
And these are just some of the projects and initiatives that the NBA takes on during off-day, All-Star Weekend, and the off-season. Out of the four major professional sports leagues, the NBA is the most active and genuinely engaged with their fans and the community they?re a part of.
Sport as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development: The Ball is Now in Our Court
Posted: 12 Dec 2022, 10:43 pm
Reflecting on the many changes we have had to cope with because of the pandemic, the way we address sports and physical activity is definitely in the top ten. On the negative side, facilities welcomed less people at a time (if any at all) depriving people of exercise; sporting events and supply chains were disrupted; professional athlete development was impacted. My optimistic view, though, sees the resilience of physical activity as most people took up informal and unorganized sport and recreation activities, such as cycling and exercising outdoors. In this article of our Building Back Better series we will examine how sports are a tool to create a better society for future generations.
Words Vicky Koffa
For long, sport ? team, individual, organized or not, both from a viewer?s or athlete?s point of view ? has been considered mainly as a form of entertainment, as secondary in the priorities one should set in their life. In the last decade and in the framework of compliance with the United Nation?s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the immense potential of sport has been acknowledged more and has proven to be an ?enabler of social sustainable development? (according to the UN General Assembly?s draft resolution adopted in December 2020). As more and more organizations become involved in the SDG?s, sporting associations follow the pattern to change the game towards a more sustainable sector.
The Benefits of Sports
The first thing that comes to mind is a healthier population. Regular physical activity helps with the prevention of non-communicable diseases as bodies get fitter. It also promotes healthier lifestyles among the young (healthy food consumption, sleep patterns) teaching them that being active is important. A healthy body results in a healthy mind: mental health and development are impacted positively as self-esteem grows in a strong body.
What makes the case stronger is that physical activity knows no boundaries. Race, age, money, gender, culture, religion, and disability can only affect the ?how? but not the ?if?. Sport is highly adaptive in any circumstances and, therefore, as inclusive as it gets. It has the power to overcome prejudice and misconceptions and lead to a truly inclusive society. This inclusion creates a sense of belonging, a community focusing on a common interest rather than its differences. Which is why, going further, sport is considered as peace bringer.
The reach of well-being is more impressive when looking at minority groups in the field. People with disabilities, older persons, children, and women get (or should get) equal opportunities in enjoying an active lifestyle. Without the feeling of being left out, such groups are empowered physically and mentally, leading to a more confident and less violent society.
Furthermore, according to EU research, ?sport has been shown to contribute to the attractiveness and touristic potential of countries and regions, to provide opportunities for innovation and ICT development, and deliver solutions to major social challenges, such as implementing environmentally friendly transport systems.?
Major organizations like the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) actively believe in the power of sport. ?Sport has a way of bridging any potential gap in an incredible way similar to art and music. It can be used as a tool to educate individuals and especially youth regarding any relevant social issue, including sustainability. We believe this has to be done as a joint action and not as two separate components. While playing their favorite sport, youths are interested and engaged and this can be utilized to better their own future while slowly integrating aspects relevant to sustainability,? says Theren Bullock Jr, Foundation Manager of FIBA?s Basketball For Good.
Develop Sport to Develop Society
Strangely enough, despite the obvious gains, the sport sector did not receive in the past enough attention on a policy level. In order to harness all its benefits, sport needs support to become in itself more sustainable. A clustered approach between governments is essential to acknowledge its impact and establish new partnerships between different sectors and economic domains. Through these, new public and private financing solutions can be unlocked for sport activities (e.g., redistribution of revenue derived from professional sports to lower levels of the sport chain).
Another key solution is to digitalize sport further. More online platforms can be envisaged to provide easy access on two fronts: on the one hand to promote sport activities as more viewers gather around major events (community creation); and on the other, to promote the value of sport by offering online exercising and healthier lifestyles.
Science and innovation can also be avenues to create the right infrastructure (transport to training, adapted training equipment) for the disabled, for example, to be able to participate in more activities, may that be actively or as viewers. Merging sports and science can unlock powerful potential synergies and is vital to improving the performance of all athletes.
Not to forget the basis of everything, education. FIBA has created a Foundation to be their social and legacy arm to create and implement Basketball For Good projects globally using basketball as a tool to create positive change. Each initiative has a basketball component, which is consistent in every project, and a social component which varies depending on the relevant social issue in the country/region where it is located.
Bullock explains: ?In many cases the relevant social component is sustainability, so our next step within this awareness direction is to create a curriculum combining the two. We will have a program linking grassroots basketball development, but each drill and game will be linked to some form of sustainability education divided in 10 modules. This program will then be able to be introduced into Physical Education classes around the world in collaboration with the respective National Basketball Federation and the Ministry of Education.?
Develop Sport to Develop the Environment
Although it may not be straightforward, sport can help advance climate issues and overcome challenges. Reduction, recycling, and reuse of plastic in major events, water and electricity upgrades in stadiums, construction of sustainable transport methods to access training facilities, promotion of outdoor training are all ways to achieve environmental balance. The approach can be twofold: tangible action taken by organizations and use of sports broad reach to raise awareness.
Action has started: the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2024 and 45% by 2030. The UN is facilitating this action through its Sports for Climate Action initiative, where sports organizations and their stakeholders can join to find support in creating change and guidance on how to raise awareness. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, the ?Sport for All and the Environment? (SforAE) project is raising an awareness about the benefits of implementing ecological behavior in sport for all.
Associations can make a difference here implementing in their regulations actions for staff and members to reduce carbon footprint, following the example of the Quebec provincial cycling federation, Fédération québecoise des sports cyclistes. The organization has launched internal policies of eco-responsibility for employees as well as concrete guidelines for organizing more sustainable events with three levels of green certification. Likewise, the Green Sports Alliance is an environmentally-focused trade organization that convenes stakeholders from around the sporting world to promote healthy, sustainable communities where we live and play. Members are reducing waste, conserving energy and water, and eliminating toxic chemicals, among many other ongoing initiatives and accomplishments.
Projects for Development
Governments and organizations saw the bigger picture and have created all sorts of collaborations to include sport in Building Back Better. UNESCO?s Fit for Life supports inclusive and integrated policy making and enhances the wellbeing of youth around the world through data driven sport interventions.
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, the Sport For Sustainable Development project is a collaboration between 5 partners from 3 continents: the European Sports NGO (ENGSO Youth) as the coordinator, Hungarian University of Physical Education, Sport and Citizenship, National Olympic Committee of Senegal and Kokushikan University of Japan. The objectives include up-skill youth sport trainers, gather information on good practices and provide learning and mobility opportunities for disadvantaged young people, among others.
International Cycling Union promotes sustainable innovative mobility through collaborations with Autonomy Digital (in 2020) and concrete actions and campaigns shown on its dedicated webpage Cycling For All. The association recently approved modifications to its regulations aimed at allowing refugee athletes to take part in major events with the status of ?refugee athlete? and a new action on the climate. UCI President David Lappartient said: ?I am delighted by the progress made to strengthen cycling?s universality, through the creation of the status of refugee athlete; and its contribution to sustainable development, with the adoption of a UCI Climate Action Charter.?
Associations Are Ever Present
The boundless potential of associations strikes yet again. In their role as conference organizers, they gather academia, government and industry under one roof to advance not only the interests of sport, but also the promotion of its benefits towards a more sustainable world. Improvement of the sports sector can positively impact other economic fields (tourism, urban regeneration, employment etc.) and associations are usually in the middle of such intersectoral collaborations.
New connections and partnerships formed before, during or after association events or other networking activities (such as campaigns and international projects) attract valuable funding. The more active a sports association is, the more partnerships it forges and the more funding opportunities it may receive.
Finally, associations have the ?shout-out? power: large events spread the message worldwide with the right awareness activities tied to an upcoming conference. Besides, they can capitalize on the popularity of certain professional athletes and use them as ambassadors to promote the value of sport.
This article is graciously sponsored by Business Events Scotland, whose values align with the Building Back Better concept.
What would it take to really make the World Cup, and other sports mega-events, a genuine part of a low-carbon world?
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Humanity is deep in the throes of the World Cup. Billions of people are expected to tune in to at least one match of the 2022 Qatar tournament ? a significant proportion of the global population.
It is hard to think of a different sector that attracts the attention of literally billions of human beings across the globe ? Suki Hoagland
The scale of the challenge is undeniably vast. Some might question whether the World Cup as we know it now ? with teams, fans and officials flying long distances and massive infrastructure development ? can ever become sustainable. Would the basic model of the event need to change to become greener, and if so, what might that look like?
“It is hard to think of a different sector that attracts the attention of literally billions of human beings across the globe,” says Suki Hoagland, a lecturer at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability in California. “It will be a bellwether of how the rest of society is responding.”
The Lusail Iconic Stadium in Doha is one of seven new stadiums being built for the 2022 Qatar World Cup (Credit: Matthew Ashton/Getty Images)
It’s a huge amount, albeit still a small fraction of global emissions. But since emissions across the planet as a whole need to be halved by 2030, Fifa should also, at the very least, halve its emissions by 2030, argues Khaled Diab, communications director at Carbon Market Watch and editor of its report on Fifa’s carbon neutrality claim. Considering that sport is “not a life-or-death sort of activity”, perhaps it should be even more ambitious than this, he adds.
WHAT IS CO2E?
CO2 equivalent, or CO2e, is the metric used to quantify the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their capacity to warm the atmosphere ? their global warming potential.
There are two major areas of environmental impact from the World Cup. Number one: transport. Flying by air is incredibly carbon-intensive, making fan flights the largest source of emissions from every major international sporting event, says Madeleine Orr, a lecturer at Loughborough University London and founder of the Sport Ecology group of academics. And then there is the gigantic energy and material footprint of building new stadiums, along with the transport networks and hotels to accommodate hundreds of thousands of fans.
These two areas overlap because they are largely around the movement and accommodation of fans, not the footballers and their entourage.
Better buildings
Much can be done to reduce the environmental impact of new buildings, of course. One obvious starting point is sourcing low-carbon energy to power them, such as by building solar projects nearby. “Your energy consumption should all come from renewable energy,” says Dale Vince, owner of Forest Green Rovers football club in the UK and founder of Ecotricity, a renewable electricity company. “But at the same time, you should be super-efficient with that, using low consumption devices like LEDs for floodlights, for example, and energy efficient appliances.”
To lower emissions, construction could move away from conventional concrete-based structures, says Vince. Carefully considering the connections between key buildings in the World Cup could also help lower emissions, with electric buses, electric cars, personal mobility scooters or simply walking prioritised.
Vince envisions a green World Cup based in stadiums built entirely out of wood, all situated close together “so that if you fly in, you’re in the World Cup village, and you can watch every game you want to without travelling other than by electric bus”.
Moving matches
Another way to reduce the huge footprint of building many new stadiums would be to avoid building them in the first place. One option here could be reducing the number of teams playing in the final tournament, says Russell Seymour, executive chair at the British Association for Sustainable Sport. Having hubs where the top teams from each region come together for a smaller final tournament would reduce impacts, he notes.
Hundreds of thousands of people fly long distances to attend the World Cup, leading to a heavy carbon footprint (Credit: Oliver Hardt/Fifa/Getty Images)
Claire Poole, a sports event consultant and founder of the Sport Positive summit, says matches could also take place in locations with existing stadiums and energy efficient infrastructure, as well as being well connected to transport routes.
Fifa could even consider a permanent venue for the World Cup, says Diab. “The lowest carbon stadium or the most environmentally friendly stadium is the stadium that is not built.” This is especially the case where stadiums are being built in areas that may not be able to find a use for stadiums after the World Cup is over. In Qatar, for example, he says, it’s “open to question” how so many world class stadiums in such a small geographical area will be used after the tournament. “We’ve seen in previous tournaments of these becoming stranded assets, just left to crumble or being underutilised after the World Cup.”
We just have to divorce it from being the biggest centralised party in the world to become the biggest decentralised party in the world ? Madeleine Orr
Orr’s vision of smaller, greener World Cups would reduce the focus on them as tourist events, eliminating the need for 60,000-seater stadiums, and focus more on their nature as international competitions that feature the best athletes around the world.
Downsizing attendance at the World Cup would help to do away with the expectation for host countries to provide huge stadiums and several hundred thousand hotel rooms, says Orr. It would also open the door to a long list of countries that are currently nowhere near being able to host something of the magnitude of the World Cup, but who could then use their existing stadiums, making it “a lot easier to clean up that [environmental] footprint credibly”, Orr says.
Smaller stadiums would also open the door for other sustainability measures, says Orr, like the use of reusable cups ? much more feasible for a stadium of 20,000 people than 60,000 people. “Just by reducing the scope of the event, we start to unlock solutions,” she says.
These events could see greater media presence to deliver as good an experience as possible to those watching around the world. Designated fan zones already spring up unofficially around the world, notes Orr, but these could be made more official.
A global gathering
“We’re very close to having really strong hologram technology and good projector technology that could show you in live time what the field looks like in [for example] China, but in Wembley,” says Orr. “All the London or England-based fans would have the option to go to Wembley to watch that game in live time with their fellow fans? with the experience of that elevated, high-stress game, which is really important. There’s room for all of this to work. We just have to divorce it from being the biggest centralised party in the world to become the biggest decentralised party in the world.”
Some might question whether the World Cup as we know it now can ever become sustainable (Credit: Jewel Samad/Getty Images)
Even before this technology exists, regional fan hubs could be established at a larger scale so people can enjoy the excitement without having to travel, notes Poole. It could be a hard sell, however, for many fans who dream of travelling to the World Cup at least once in their lives. And while the pandemic showed that football played behind closed doors can work, “it’s not the same ? especially on a world stage, we need the fans there”, says Poole.
A plausible green solution could therefore be a mix of the two: a downsized event with most tickets going to fans from the region who could travel there without using planes, and quotas on international tourists attending.
Football generates a very unique sense of togetherness ? Rutendo Musikavanhu
Another possibility could be a more decentralised World Cup that sees home and away teams playing at the nearest convenient location between the two teams, says Diab, minimising the amount of travel for the teams and their fans. This could also be a way to democratise football, allowing people to go to one game of the World Cup in their local area, he adds: after all, currently only those who can afford the price of tickets, travel and accommodation actually get to see the World Cup in person anyway. “Maybe if you have the distributed system you give an opportunity for more people, actually, not fewer people to attend matches,” he says.
Changing hearts
However, there is also the social value of World Cups for host nations to consider. World Cups bring huge prestige for the host nation, but can also bring other lasting social impacts, says Rutendo Musikavanhu, a senior lecturer in architecture and cities at the University of Westminster in London. “These events do present an opportunity for change [and to] engage in political cultural debate,” she says. They can bring diverse groups of people together that were previously segregated or marginalised, she says. “Sports do bring people together, there’s a unique sense of happiness that is brought about, there’s a level of escapism from our day to day.”
In her research looking at the legacy of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, for example, one respondent told her it was their first time ever to sit next to somebody of a different skin colour or ethnicity. The participant, who was black, also recounted feeling comfortable for the first time about speaking to a white South African in a bar, she says. “Football generates a very unique sense of togetherness, and a unique level of excitement is brought about by such a platform [as hosting the World Cup]. The World Cup was a vehicle for this [encounter], it allowed people to see beyond themselves.”
Protestors gather in front of Adidas, a major Fifa sponsor, in Berlin. They say the 2022 World Cup has seen human rights abuses and greenwashing (Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Orr also sees a green World Cup as being hosted by one main country ? allowing them to get the benefit of the publicity and tourism brought by the event. “If we have such a decentralised event that all the players and all the teams are in different places, then you’ve got teams flying all over the world back and forth, which doesn’t make any sense.”
The offset question
In the longer term, the world could start to see more widespread decarbonisation of aviation through alternative renewable fuels (or even electric planes over short distances), opening up more opportunities for low-carbon travel. Until the time when these kinds of options exist and are affordable, however, the question of offsets is likely to remain.
Offsetting means paying for an external project to reduce or sometimes absorb the emissions a country, organisation or person is emitting. But some argue in many cases they simply don?t work as intended, as, for example, it can be hard to ensure a forest stays standing or be sure a renewable power plant would not have been built even without the investment. Environmentalists are therefore concerned offsets can act as a ?dangerous distraction? from what?s really needed ? cutting emissions.
You have to be careful about greenwashing and not overstating what you’re doing ? Roger McClendon
Diab argues the World Cup shouldn’t be using offsets at all to claim carbon neutrality ? as it gives the misleading impression it is not leading to overall damage to the climate, he says. The event could still promote its contribution to climate finance, he says, but not claim this as negating its own emissions.
But if any carbon offsets are being used to claim “carbon neutrality”, the organisers could ensure they are of the highest quality ? reliable, long-lasting reductions in emissions that would not have happened without the investment.
An important part of offsetting any World Cup is also taking action to better understand the current footprint today, and setting credible goals for reducing this, says Roger McClendon, executive director of the Green Sports Alliance. “You have to be careful about greenwashing and not overstating what you’re doing,” he says. This would mean being transparent about progress, he says, even if it means, for example, admitting that only 30% of emissions are credibly mitigated or offset to begin with. ?Then we work our way from there to 40%, 50%, till we get to 100% net zero [in future events].”
Back in 2018, Vince’s football team, Forest Green Rovers, became the first UN-certified carbon neutral sports club in the world. “It is okay to use carbon offsets, but they can’t be used ahead of everything else,” says Vince. “You’ve got to do the measurement properly and diligently, you’ve got to reduce as far as you possibly can, and then, and only then, use offsets to deal with the residual [emissions]. This is a job that never stops, and Fifa should be doing this with every subsequent World Cup, it should get better and better.”
Changing minds
Important as it is for the World Cup to reduce its carbon footprint, its huge reach means it could have far wider and longer-lasting impacts than the month-long event itself.
Sport occupies a hugely important and, in many ways, unique place in global culture. “The potential for the sports industry to increase human awareness and understanding of the challenges we face and the next steps of how to engage, act and adapt behaviours is a ‘game changer’,” says Hoagland.
In fact, if sport in general embraced a low-carbon approach it could “influence millions of people to make, and accept, changes in their life”, says Seymour.
In a letter to Fifa, Tessel Middag from Rangers FC and other footballers asked it to ditch its carbon neutral claim for Qatar and only use offsets as a last resort (Credit: Alamy)
“Food is just so easy and obvious: don’t have animals in the food at the World Cup,” says Vince, whose own football club went vegan in 2017. One substantial change many people can make personally is to reduce the quantity of animal products they consume, and our own dietary choices can influence the choices of those around us. “And it’s the same for any sporting event. It’s the showcase, the symbolism, the example that’s being set.”
But a green World Cup would have to go much further than changes to food alone: much greater consideration would be put into what is advertised on everything from footballers shirts to banners around the stadium and TV ads. For one thing, there would be a marked absence of products or brands associated with high carbon lifestyles, such as airlines and SUVs, says Seymour.
There is a huge dissonance between hearing a sports event is “carbon neutral” then attending and seeing airlines and fossil fuel companies advertised on jerseys, agrees Orr. “That is sending a very different message to me about their values and where they’re going and what they are trying to achieve, by who they’re aligning themselves with, and what they’re trying to sell me.” Seeing vegan protein, electric car and renewable energy companies advertising would create a very different picture, she says. Sport has done this before, she notes ? cigarettes used to be widely advertised in sports including football, for example, but are now no longer promoted in many countries.
Beyond advertising, there is even precedent for Fifa banning countries from participation for political reasons. It could also implement serious penalties if host countries do not meet the expectations on sustainability, says Orr. All this could help ensure sustainability is embedded into the very bidding process from the start.
In fact it’s hard to overestimate the impact of a World Cup that visibly embraced and promoted genuine and credible climate action. But individual sports celebrities also have a huge impact on wider culture. It’s an engagement that has not always been welcomed by sports organisations, however ? many were angered this year when Fifa sent a request to World Cup teams to “focus on the football” rather than discussing human rights issues in Qatar.
A green World Cup could see fans at their national stadiums like Wembley to watch the match digitally rather than flying (Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Football and other sports have a long history of social activism and supporting racial justice and civil rights, often with huge influence. “Footballers have a huge status as role models, and football is something that inspires hundreds of millions of people around the world,” says Seymour. “So what happens in the realm of football has knock on effects in wider society ? it sets the tone for a lot of other things.”
A truly green World Cup would therefore also mean individual footballers and other sports leaders both speaking about climate action and implementing it in their own lives ? such as by avoiding private jet use.
Some people question whether it is fair to ask athletes to take on the climate challenge when they are already tasked with raising the profile of other social justice issues such as Black Lives Matter and gender equality, says Hoagland. “My response has been, ‘maybe not fair, but nothing about climate change is fair’.”
A long road
Hoagland also points out that sport itself will be negatively impacted by climate change ? with everything from heat waves, droughts, flooding and violent weather to sea-level rise and a lack of snow impacting it. “So the sports industry has a vested interest in addressing climate change,” she says.
With all this in mind, it may feel daunting to look ahead to the next World Cup in 2026, when carbon emissions from travel could be set to rise even further: the next tournament will expand from 32 to 48 teams and take place across an entire continent. “Fifa is actively increasing the [climate] impacts, while publishing a carbon reduction plan,” notes Seymour.
But, for Diab, things could soon start to look very different if Fifa decided to set the pace for climate action. “Football is a beautiful game, it’s about fair play, so Fifa should be leading by example, showing that they want to play fair by the climate, and that they want the beautiful game not to have an ugly underbelly.”
Qatar 2022 declined to comment for this piece, but referred us to its sustainability efforts. Fifa did not respond to a request for comment.
Jocelyn Timperley is a senior reporter for BBC Future. You can find her on Twitter @jloistf.
The Secret of Baseball’s ‘Treehugger’ Pitcher: Fast Showers, Reusable Water Bottles… and Don’t Be Weird
Posted: 5 Dec 2022, 12:22 pm
Reliever Brent Suter is one of the few professional athletes who speaks regularly about trying to combat climate change. Changing minds on the subject isn?t easy, but he?s got some tips on how to do it.
Welcome to SI Climate, our ongoing series about how sports are adapting to?and affecting?our changing world.
The first thing Brandon Woodruff noticed about Brent Suter was his water bottle.
It wasn?t the reusable bottle itself, exactly, that stood out to him. It was Suter?s commitment to it. The two pitchers met as minor leaguers at Brewers spring training in 2015, and Woodruff noticed that Suter seemed to bring the bottle with him everywhere, from clubhouse to ballfield to dugout and back?almost more like a security blanket than a drinking receptacle.
?He was carrying it around at all times,? Woodruff recalls. ?Like, all times.?
It took a while. But finally, Woodruff asked: What?s the deal? A lucky charm? A fear of drinking any of the bottled water that was readily available around the complex? Nope, Suter explained: He was just really passionate about the environment and wanted to stay away from single-use plastic.
Now, the two are good friends who have forged big-league careers alongside one another. (Literally: Their lockers were side by side in the Brewers? clubhouse.) But one thing hasn?t changed: ?The most impressive thing is, ever since I?ve known him, he?s done it every day,? Woodruff says. ?I?ve never seen him without a bottle.? It?s just one of a slew of his environmentally conscious behaviors that teammates can rattle off.
Such as: The 33-year-old reliever brings his own reusable containers to limit waste from meals on road trips. He doesn?t eat red meat. He drives an electric car. And he keeps an eye on water usage.
?He?s in and out of the shower so quick,? Woodruff marvels. ?I?m not saying he doesn?t wash himself. But he?s so fast? I?m like, dude, I can?t do that.?
The care goes beyond his lifestyle choices. Suter has advocated for environmental legislation and is involved with several related nonprofit groups. In his seven big-league seasons with the Brewers, he worked with the team on sustainability initiatives at the ballpark and elsewhere in Milwaukee. (He was acquired by the Rockies earlier this offseason.) Suter?s interest also predates his time in organized baseball: He studied environmental science and public policy at Harvard. But when it comes to the question of how to get his fellow athletes to care?how to start clubhouse conversations around a subject that can be politicized, touchy and highly personal?he found during his time in Milwaukee that the best place to start is simple. Suter just goes about his daily business. And if questions follow, he?ll be more than happy to answer, in as little or as much detail as requested.
?I know I?m the treehugger, and it?s one of those things where it?s like, yes, I?ll wear that label proudly, ? he says with a laugh. ?But I also want to bring people on board, so I don?t want to make it seem too weird?. I?m just trying to tell them what I?m doing and why I?m doing it, and I?ll invite them to hop on, too.?
“I also want to bring people on board, so I don?t want to make it seem too weird,” Suter says. “I?m just trying to tell them what I?m doing and why I?m doing it, and I?ll invite them to hop on, too.?
David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated
It didn?t happen overnight, and it doesn?t always stick, but Suter saw his efforts begin to pay off with the Brewers. When he began pledging funds to plant trees for every team win, his fellow relievers eventually matched him, with members of the bullpen donating for every hold and save. In April, he helped the club launch its new sustainability council, and in May, teammates joined him to work in a local urban garden before a game. He didn?t convince anyone else to give up red meat entirely, but a few guys joined him for Meatless Mondays, while others embraced the effort to cut down on plastic in the clubhouse. Suter isn?t naive about the impact: He understands the team?s (and league?s) carbon footprint is bigger and more complex than any of these individualized actions?and that many long-term, macro-level questions here are far bigger still. But as a way to get players thinking about their role here, and talking about what it means to get involved, he?s been encouraged by the progress.
And one more thing: Admittedly, he sometimes forgets it at home, but Woodruff has a reusable water bottle now, too.
Suter has cited the 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth as the awakening for his environmental activism. But a more general interest in the planet took root for him much earlier. The Cincinnati native has fond childhood memories of gardening at his grandfather?s lakeside house in Kentucky: ?Getting in touch with nature that way really helped me fall in love with it.? He soon developed an interest in recycling and carpooling. Later, when he went to college, he knew just what he wanted to study.
For a long time, Suter focused mostly on what he could do personally to help the environment. Over the last few years, however, that began to shift. He still looks for areas he can go further in his own daily life. But he?s grown increasingly interested in what he can do to get others to join?in baseball and beyond.
?It was, ?O.K., I?m walking the walk, so let?s spread the messaging and try to get other people involved,?? he says.
He appreciated that being an MLB player came with a platform. But it was one thing to post about the environment to a general audience on social media. It was another to start the conversation in his own workplace: A baseball clubhouse is not exactly the most natural setting for some of those discussions. So he settled on a low-key approach. He owned all of the life choices that his teammates had already started to notice. And when it made sense, Suter tried to explain more in an open, non-judgmental way.
?People just connect?with stuff they can see,? Suter says.
David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated
?I get ribbed all the time for being liberal or whatever, because a lot of baseball players do tend to be conservative,? he says. ?And so being on the other side, at least on the environmental spectrum, it?s different? I try to talk about it, to work it in, without trying to be preachy.?
It helped that many of these lifestyle decisions came across as personal, rather than political, even if they were really both: These conversations didn?t have to feel like they were about politics. It didn?t necessarily win everyone over, at least not at first, but it got the ball rolling. And Suter was happy to find that his conversations revealed another group of players, too. There were plenty of guys who did care about the environment but were unsure about how to start doing more.
That included Brewers infielder Keston Hiura, who developed an early interest in nature as a kid growing up in California, where he loved going to the beach.
?He introduced me to a lot of different things on this where we can use our platform,? Hiura says of Suter. ?He?s just been a huge help.?
The pitcher linked Hiura with an athlete environmental advocacy group founded by retired MLB outfielder Chris Dickerson called Players for the Planet. Hiura is now an ambassador for the organization, focused specifically on ocean health, and has participated in events like a beach clean-up last winter in the Dominican Republic. He doesn?t have quite the tree-hugging clubhouse rep of Suter. (It would be hard for anyone to.) But he?s committed to learning more, and that can spread to the rest of the team, too: As others sign on, it feels more like environmentalism can be a group effort, and less like it?s relying on just one player as a spokesman.
?I?ve always been interested, and I just wasn?t sure how to get involved,? Hiura says. ?But Suter?s been the one to kind of head all this up.?
Suter is encouraged by the progress he?s made in his own clubhouse: It no longer feels weird (or, at least, not that weird) to have a team conversation about single-use plastic. In some ways, however, Suter?s still on his own. Across sports, in a cultural landscape where more athletes have spoken on all sorts of social and political causes in recent years, the environment can still feel like something of a niche cause. There are groups like the Green Sports Alliance and Players for the Planet?with dozens of ambassadors across various leagues supporting various environmental projects?and plenty of initiatives at the team level. Yet big, public league-wide campaigns on the subject are still rare. So through trial and error, Suter has tried to learn what resonates with people here and what doesn?t. Anything with too much of a doomsday vibe shuts conversations down. Anything too big turns people off?yes, he?s concerned about how much flying is part of MLB, but he realizes that using that as a starting point can make teammates feel like the problem is something intractable above their pay grades. And anything too abstract just won?t connect.
Last year, for instance, Suter was excited about launching a team carbon offset program?only to see everyone?s eyes glaze over when he used the word ?sequestration.? So this year, he decided to narrow the public focus to something more tangible. That?s planting trees?which, yes, were part of the carbon offset program to begin with, but by making them the center of the conversation, it?s easier to communicate the mission and get people interested.
?People just connect?with stuff they can see,? Suter says.
Suter had already begun pledging funds to plant 100 trees for every team win in 2021. This year, Milwaukee reliever Devin Williams announced he would donate to plant 50 trees for each hold or save he recorded. Former Brewers closer Josh Hader (traded this summer to the Padres) did the same. And Suter wanted to make it a real, physical experience, too: He decided to plant some trees himself in a local urban garden at the end of May.
He wasn?t sure at first if he?d have company. But Williams, Hader and Hiura came with him, as well as Brewers first-base coach Quintin Berry. They were even joined by a player from that weekend?s opposing team?Nelson Cruz of the Nationals, who?s also involved with Players for the Planet and has participated in the beach clean-ups in his native Dominican Republic. The simple act of getting a few guys out to plant trees felt more effective than all of his conversations about carbon sequestration combined.
?It was fun to actually be doing something, not just talking about it,? Williams says. ?Actually planting trees.?
That was exactly the feeling Suter wanted to capture and instill in others. Sure, the project was small. But the impact was direct. The garden?about a 10 minutes? drive from the Brewers? home at American Family Field?regularly gives away its fresh produce to the community. ?It provides tree cover and clean air, it helps the soil,? he says. ?All kinds of good stuff happens because of that one garden.? In terms of getting more people to care, and to start more seriously considering what they can do right away, this feels ideal.
?It?s local,? Suter says. ?You can see it, you can feel like it?s making a difference. It?s really exciting, and I think it?s maybe a blueprint for where we want to go.?
As he?s grown more committed to the environment, Suter has begun to consider the subject through different lenses. What was once an abstract commitment to preserving the planet for the future has become more personal since he became a father. (His wife, Erin, gave birth to their second son this spring.) There?s a spiritual component for him, too: ?A huge part of my faith is being a steward of the earth,? he says. ?Spiritually, I think, God gave us this earth as a gift, and yes, He gave us dominion over it, but He wasn?t intending for us to trash it.? He?s found that tapping into these more intimate perspectives can be more convincing with some teammates: If they don?t quite relate to a guy who wants to give them a reusable water bottle, maybe they?ll relate as a father, or as a Christian.
Or simply as a person.
?Earth?s our mother, you know?? Suter says. ?It sounds corny, but that?s what it is. It?s our home, and we?ve got to take care of it.?
he Microsoft-backed Global Sports Innovation Centre (GSIC) celebrated the first birthday of its Asia-Pacific office in Singapore two weeks ago by gathering industry experts to discuss hot-button topics at its Apac Summit.
Prominent themes in the discussions included: using technology to enhance entertainment value within sport, the increasing demands on sport for sustainability, and the ongoing debate about Web3 opportunities.
Here are SportBusiness?s main takeaways from the day?s discussions.
The entertainment factor
Sport and other entertainment industries have edged closer over time, learning off each other and increasingly running joint initiatives. Microsoft uses the term ?sportainment? to label the development and sees it as an important concept for the future of sport.
Speaking at last week?s summit, Microsoft executive and GSIC president Sebastián Lancestremère said sports industry players should be: ?Thinking like Netflix, thinking like Red Bull Media House, thinking like digital native companies that are creating content and services.
Stephen Duckitt, event strategy director at World Table Tennis, an organisation that has spent the last couple of years reimagining the global table tennis tour, endorsed the concept. He said WTT has been focused on: ?What we can do to bring fans closer to the athletes, to be able to capture that Instagram moment and experience something more than what happened on the table.?
Some of WTT?s innovations have been simple. Event schedules have been changed so play is continuous rather than requiring spectators to wait 20 minutes between matches. Other innovations are more high-tech. WTT is currently looking at: building computer chips into racquets to track and visualise movement; LED table-tops and flooring to create new visuals; and creating Japanese anime-style representations of players and matches that fans can watch using virtual reality headsets.
Image credit: GSIC
Sustainability rises up the agenda
Environmental sustainability was the focus of one panel but also cropped up in several other discussions. It is clearly a topic that is now front-of-mind for event organisers, suppliers and hosts such as Singapore.
Sustainability is a difficult concept to square with sports industry growth, particularly big international events that thrive on big spectacles, large attendances and travel. Microsoft?s Lancestremère said 75 per cent of sport?s emissions are generated by major events.
Roy Teo, head of industry development, technology and innovation at Singapore?s national sports agency SportSG, said: ?Starting from next year, we expect all our event organisers, especially those that take grants from us, to organise events [that are] sustainable.?
He gave examples of steps taken this year at events in the city. Athletes at the Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup were given free public transport cards rather than cars to ferry them around. Utensils in catering areas were made from sustainable materials rather than disposable plastics.
The International Table Tennis Federation this year signed the United Nations? Sports for Climate Action Framework. ?Now everything that we do needs to have a sustainability bent to it,? WTT?s Duckitt said. One of the steps table tennis has been taking is using IT systems ?to remove as much paper as possible from officiating and from the way we deliver information?.
GSIC backer Microsoft is aiming to be ?carbon negative? by 2030, and by 2050 to have removed from the environment more carbon that it added to it since the company?s inception in 1975. It has employed an internal ?carbon tax? to encourage business units to reduce their carbon footprint. ?We?ve been procuring literally billions of dollars in renewable energy over the past past few years,? Lancestremère told the summit.
Image credit: GSIC
Web3 conundrum
Most sports organisations are trying to figure out the opportunities within Web3, NFTs, the crypto space and the metaverse. This exploration continued at the GSIC Apac Summit.
Spanish football?s LaLiga has dived headfirst into all things tech in recent years, exemplified by the creation of its LaLiga Tech unit last year. Ivan Codina LaLiga?s managing director in Southeast Asia, said blockchain technologies are ?already a big revenue stream? for the league. LaLiga has in the last couple of years agreed partnerships in the space with operators including Dapper Labs, Sorare, and GreenPark Sports.
Codina expects opportunities in the sector to only grow. ?We believe that?especially with the arrival of Metaverse, there are unlimited opportunities,? he said.
But this year?s ?crypto winter? has prompted rethinks around digital assets and the future remains unclear. In particular, there is a struggle to find use cases for NFTs beyond speculation on their future value.
Joseph Khan, chief operating officer at Singapore-based gaming company and Web3 specialist Enjinstarter, related the tale of a successful NFT-based membership scheme it created for an alcohol brand. The brand had had little success with a previous membership scheme that was not linked to NFTs. When Enjinstarter asked members why they were drawn in by the NFT element, they gave three answers:
?One is the novelty of the NFT. The other thing?it feels like something that I have some kind of ownership [over]. The other thing is?they said, ?I can actually own the NFT, which could be worth something, and then later on I can sell it off?.?
It is clear the third rationale ? speculation on future value ? has driven most of the activity in the NFT space over the past couple of years, in a bubble that has now popped. A big question for the future is whether Web3 companies and sports organisations can use NFTs to deliver other kinds of value to fans.
Opening the GSIC Summit, Singapore?s Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said the city is ?a marketplace for ideas and innovation, and a sandbox to test your ideas to allow for you to then build, grow and then to scale your operations regionally?.
He said start-ups in other fields, such as agri- and food-tech, tell him they value being in the city alongside businesses from other, unrelated sectors such as sport. The businesses feel they learn valuable lessons from each other.
Singapore is pushing all its business sectors, including sport, to innovate and employ new technology.
Tan observed three important themes for the sports industry as it emerges from the pandemic: ?One is how do you have safe sport [in terms of controlling the pandemic risk]? How do you have sustainability within sports? And third, the use of technology and innovation.?
He also pledged that Singapore would continue hosting ?regional and international sporting events with world class spectatorship and viewership experiences?.
A week after the summit, Singapore was unveiled as the host of the International Olympic Committee?s first Olympic Esports Week, marrying the city?s twin goals of sports industry and technology sector development.
Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth of Government of Singapore. (Image credit: GSIC)
Bullish on sport
GSIC backer Microsoft is confident about the sports industry?s near-term growth prospects.
GSIC president Lancestremère predicted growth ?twice as fast as global GDP? for sport in the coming years. He put the current value of the global industry at $160bn, rising to $1.5tn counting adjacent industries including ?betting, apparel, equipment, health, fitness, education and tourism?.
Microsoft is positioning itself to play a valuable role in this growth story. Lancestremère said: ?We see that we can capture together, collectively, more opportunities and mature this industry by reimagining sports as digital and sustainable business.?
UEFA?s new Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines can enable sports stadiums and events, not only in football, to be designed and executed more sustainability
Referencing the high profile of sport on social media as a model for wider society to aspire towards, particularly among younger generations, UEFA?s new 182-page Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines declares that ?the main aim in modern day venues is for stadium and sports facilities to embrace sustainability and become champions of its application in their buildings, in their landscaped grounds and even in the society around them.?
To achieve this, stadiums can?t just be designed with environmental sustainability in mind; over 70% of potential sustainability gains are generated in the operation stage of a venue?s lifespan. That is why a large group of stakeholders beyond designers and external to UEFA, including architects, clubs and academics, helped develop the guidelines.
Launched on 16 November in Mainz, they focus on embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices into infrastructure sustainability, one of eleven policies in UEFA?s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030.
?The football infrastructure of the future will increasingly link engineering, innovation and sustainability criteria,? said Mark Fenwick, partner at Fenwick Iribarren Architects and author of the document. ?The guidelines showcase how this mix will provide long-term benefits to operators and strengthen the legacy of common spaces for local communities.?
The document has been divided into three sections, the first being an introduction to infrastructure sustainability and how ESG has been implemented.
Reducing noise and light pollution are mentioned as two low cost actions to improve infrastructure sustainability, supporting a finding of Loughborough University?s recent Sports for Nature report that ?sport organisations need to be sensitised to the full breadth of actions that can be taken to disrupt assumptions about the high cost of engaging with this agenda.?
The second section delves intospecific topics of football infrastructure. Accountability is encroached first, an important topic to clarify with so many stakeholder groups involved: ?The entity that will own and run the facility must also establish at the very outset the level of sustainability to be achieved in the design, construction and running of the facility throughout its lifespan.?
Due to the necessity of applying the guidelines to a large variety of football organisations across Europe, their generic nature cannot be scrutinised too intensely. However, organisations searching the guidelines for definitive answers might find difficulty in their tendency to compare different options, such as constructing a new stadium or refurbishing an existing site, without concluding which is best.
The third section provides insights intoinfrastructure management. Implementing smart technology into stadium infrastructure, such as inmotics (building automation) and the Internet of Things, can enable giant strides towards UEFA?s ?ultimate objective? of sustainable infrastructure: self-sustainability. UEFA reiterate that current technology ?may quickly feel outdated,? but also that the guidelines will be regularly updated to implement the latest in ?technological advancement, legislation, expectations from civil society and ever-evolving UEFA requirements.?
After technology, the guidelines introduce circular economy principles. UEFA published extensive guidelines dedicated to circular economy in September, which you can read about here.
UEFA argues that safety and sustainability are not mutually exclusive: ?Safety and sustainable design are fully compatible as both have the same aim ? to conserve resources ? and are focused on the environment in the case of sustainability, and on people in the case of safety.?
As a companion to this document, UEFA is developing an ESG Event Management System with the following objectives:
? Define football sustainability standards based on best practices in football events
? Align expected levels of maturity achieved with the UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy 2030
? Progressively deploy systems in all UEFA events and monitor improvements
? Encourage the system?s adoption by all football event organisers such as national associations, leagues and clubs.
UEFA then proposes a format to apply the system: ?In practice, each football event will be assigned in advance a level of maturity to achieve, ranging from Level 1 (Base) to Level 2 (Established), Level 3 (Advanced) and Level 4 (Excellence). In addition, an aspirational level aims to provide incentives for best-in-class performance. Each level is analysed for compliance with defined criteria, with the verification process taking place at the end of each event.?
With the system set to be formally deployed at EURO 2024, how these levels will be assigned, what incentives will be offered and how the verification process will be conducted are all interesting developments to follow in the lead-up to the tournament.
2022 Pac-12 Football Championship Game will be carbon neutral, the first-ever among Power 5 conference title games, with the initiative sponsored by Pacific Seafood
Pac-12 has selected United Green Energy to offset all aspects of its carbon footprint surrounding the annual marquee event
SAN FRANCISCO? The Pac-12 Conference, United Green Energy (UGE) and Pacific Seafood announced today that the league has selected UGE to coordinate offsetting all aspects of the carbon footprint surrounding the 2022 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, presented by 76?, to be held Friday, Dec. 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. With the support of Pacific Seafood, the Official Meat and Seafood Provider of the Pac-12, the 2022 football champ game will be the first-ever carbon neutral Power 5 conference title game.
This first-of-its-kind partnership between the Pac-12, United Green Energy & Pacific Seafood continues the league?s climate-focused endeavors with Pac-12 Team Green, the sustainability platform of the Conference which promotes greening & sustainability efforts taking place across the Conference of Champions?. Pacific Seafood is a proud long-term partner of the Pac-12, and an official partner of Pac-12 Team Green, the Pac-12 Football Championship Game and the Pac-12 Men?s Basketball Tournament.
?Sport as a platform has immense power to drive social impact and influence positive change,? said Pac-12 Deputy Commissioner and COO Jamie Zaninovich. ?Having our marquee Pac-12 football championship game serve as the first ever carbon-neutral among the Power 5 continues the dedicated sustainability efforts taking place across the Conference and Pac-12 Team Green.?
In order to achieve carbon neutrality, Pacific Seafood will purchase Carbon Offsets from United Green Energy to offset emissions of the event?s operations. These offsets promote development of renewable energy sources and reforestation efforts across North America and throughout the world.
Carbon footprint aspects to be offset for the Pac-12?s football title game include, but are not limited to, the following for both competing universities & traveling staff, event operations staff and other Pac-12 representatives in attendance:
Round-trip flights & road transportation
Allegiant Stadium facility operations
Practices for both teams in lead up to Championship Game
Ancillary events related to the Football Championship Game including Kickoff Party, VIP Tailgate, School Assemblies and more
Pac-12 event load in and out
“Pacific Seafood is proud to partner with the Pac-12 and United Green Energy to offset carbon emissions from the 2022 Pac-12 Football Championship Game,” said Bill Hueffner, Vice President of Marketing for Pacific Seafood. “At Pacific Seafood we believe it is our responsibility to serve our oceans through a continuous commitment to sustainable fishing practices that ensure healthy stocks for generations to come. We know that taking care of our earth is critical for the health of our oceans so we are dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling in every area we can to conserve our precious resources; including nearly 100 percent whole fish utilization.” Learn more about Pacific Seafood’s sustainability efforts at PacificSeafood.com/CSR.
?Our partnership with the Pac-12 to offset carbon emissions generated by their Championship Game sets an important precedent for the sustainability of events like this. Utilizing carbon offsets from verified projects is a key element in the battle against climate change,? said Tom Williams, Executive Chairman of UGE.
Allegiant Stadium, the home of the 2022 Pac-12 Football Champ Game, is committed to developing sustainable policies and practices while being powered by local renewable energy sources. The Pac-12?s efforts, along with the assistance of Pacific Seafood, United Green Energy and Allegiant Stadium, further the impact of this initiative.
About Pac-12 Team Green
Pac-12 Team Green, a first-of-its-kind in collegiate athletics, promotes all of the greening and sustainability efforts taking place on and around the Pac-12 Conference and all 12 of its member universities. Elements include the annual Pac-12 Sustainability Conference, the Pac-12 Zero Waste Competition and the Pac-12 Sustainability Working Group. To learn more about Pac-12 Team Green, visit Pac-12.com/green.
About the Pac-12
The Pac-12 Conference is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders by championing excellence in academics, athletics, and the well-being of our student-athletes. Built on a firm foundation of academic excellence and superior athletic performance, the Pac-12 continues to renew its undisputed claim as the ?Conference of Champions,? leading the nation with 544 NCAA team titles overall, over 200 more than the next closest conference. The Pac-12 also wholly owns and operates Pac-12 Networks, the Conference’s sports media company that produces and distributes 850 live sporting events each season, making it one of the top live-sports producers in the country. Pac-12 Networks also offers extensive digital content via Pac-12.com, the Pac-12 Now app, Pac-12 official athletics websites and Pac-12 Insider. The Pac-12 Conference is comprised of 12 leading U.S. universities, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of Utah, the University of Washington and Washington State University. More information on the Pac-12 is available at Pac-12.com.
About Pacific Seafood
Founded in 1941, Pacific Seafood is a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing the healthiest protein on the planet. Pacific Seafood manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting/fishing, processing, and distribution to provide customers all over the world with fresh, sustainable, and high-quality products. Pacific Seafood Group is headquartered in Clackamas, Ore., and is the Official Meat and Seafood Provider of the Pac-12 Conference. Learn more and order products direct to your door at PacificSeafood.com
About United Green Energy
United Green Energy is your renewable energy partner. United Energy Trading (UET), our parent company, has been Green-e certified, both in energy and climate, since 2014, with UGE soon to follow. The Green-e program is a trusted global leader in clean energy certification, and only a select group of companies in North America hold this title. We pride ourselves on our Green-e Certification and the assurance it gives our customers. We?ve expanded our vision to include renewable energy credits (RECs), biodiesel, carbon offsets and even more to come. Connecting and creating a network with other leaders in the green energy field, we hope to stay on the cutting edge of renewable power.
About Allegiant Stadium
Located adjacent to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and home to the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium is an award-winning global events destination. A state-of-the-art, multipurpose venue with a capacity of 65,000, Allegiant Stadium has hosted world-class music artists such as Garth Brooks, The Rolling Stones, Guns N? Roses, Illenium and BTS with more legendary concerts to come. The fully enclosed stadium is also home to the UNLV Rebels football team and has hosted premier sporting events such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, Pac-12 Championship Game, Las Vegas Bowl, and WWE SummerSlam. The venue also hosted the NFL Pro Bowl in 2022 and has been selected to host Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. Allegiant Stadium is committed to giving back to the community through numerous diversity, inclusion, and community outreach initiatives. For more information on Allegiant Stadium, visit www.allegiantstadium.com or follow us at @allegiantstadm on Twitter and @allegiantstadium on Instagram.
As the COVID threat recedes and the events industry regains momentum, our sustainability program has also picked up the pace of its efforts. We continue to pursue energy efficiency upgrades, look for new ways to purchase greener products, and continually work to improve our recycling and composting program. We are also working toward recertification as sustainable facilities – through LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), as well as the Events Industry Council?s Sustainable Events framework.
Meanwhile, we have renewed our focus on sharing information and best practices with other leaders in the industry through the United Nations Sports for Climate Action coalition, the NHL?s sustainability metrics program, and the City of Saint Paul?s energy benchmarking platform. By working alongside these other groups, we seek to help pave the way forward toward an ever more sustainable future.
Over the course of the 2021-22 NHL season, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Minnesota Wild and operators of Xcel Energy Center, has offset 1,300 tons of CO2 — done through a sustainable forestry partnership with paper mill UPM Blandin ? which was equal to the Wild?s entire season of team air travel. Additionally, MSE purchased 2.1 million kWh of windsource renewable energy and 5.3 million kWh solar power generated through a nearby Solar Garden collaboration.
Additionally, Jim Ibister, VP/Facility Administration was recently named one of Sports Business Journal?s top executives who are leading planet-conscious actions across sports franchises. Ibister designed the sustainability model that helped the Minnesota Wild?s Xcel Energy Center and adjacent Saint Paul RiverCentre become the world?s first facility to achieve LEED, Green Globes and American Society for Testing and Materials certification simultaneously in 2014, and then led the site?s platinum level award in 2019.
FKP Scorpio today announced the launch of FKP Show Creations GmbH, a new company arm that'll focus on musicals, shows, family entertainment and opera ? anything that can be brought to life inside theaters, but not just there.
How Metallica & Billy Joel's Allegiant Shows Created A Way For Stadium Touring In 'The Great Glut Of 2022'
Posted: 18 Mar 2022, 3:05 pm
More than 80,000 fans and a gross of some $13.8 million over two nights by any measure in this industry is a runaway success. And that?s exactly what happened at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 25 and 26 when Metallica and Billy Joel played separately on consecutive evenings. The shows more than lived up to the billing as ?Two Epic Shows?One Unforgettable Weekend,? and serve as a model for future stadium touring amidst ?The Great Glut of 2022? while being a win-win-win for fans, artists, their teams and venues.
Pollstar takes a look at some of the latest lineup announcements from the UK and Europe. Many have been unveiled by brand-new festivals making their debut in 2022.
Asia News: Japan Reviews Audience Caps; BTS Sets Another Record
Posted: 18 Mar 2022, 12:45 pm
The Japanese government is currently considering lifting the audience cap on large-scale gatherings, like concerts, as the pandemic eases and the number of daily cases drops steadily.
Goodlive And Live Base Anounce Partnership Around Splash! Festival Germany
Posted: 18 Mar 2022, 5:22 am
German promoter Goodlive and UK-based booking agency and club promoter Live Base announced a strategic partnership to deliver international hip hop artists to the German-speaking market and the country's premier hip-hop festival, splash!
Morgan Wallen: Boy Interupted Brings Lots of Music To Sold Out Bridgestone Arena
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 2:22 pm
After a career put on pause following his drunken use of an egregious slur, Morgan Wallen is finding his way back to the world he was building when it all came to a screeching halt.
Moment Factory Tops Fast Company List Of Innovators
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 1:16 pm
Montreal-based creative design firm Moment Factory topped the list of 50 Most Innovative Companies released this week by business magazine Fast Company to recognize forward-thinkers in technology, leadership and design.
Inaugural Chicagoland Fest Sacred Rose Topped By Phil Lesh & Friends, Khruangbin, The War On Drugs
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 1:03 pm
Another new festival announced its inaugural lineup Thursday. Sacred Rose will descend on SeatGeek Stadium, located just southwest of Chicago in Bridgeview, Ill., Aug. 26-28 with a lineup topped by Phil Lesh & Friends, Khruangbin, The War On Drugs and Black Pumas.
With The Band: Big Time Rush Makes Big Time Comeback With First Post-Hiatus Headlining Tour
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 12:55 pm
In the early 2010s, Big Time Rush had been among the most dominant boy bands. The group made up of Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson, James Maslow, and Carlos PenaVega was first formed in 2009 with a Nickelodeon TV show of the same name.
Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills, Beck & More To Play MusiCares Joni Mitchell Tribute
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 11:44 am
Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter and Beck will be among those performing in tribute to Joni Mitchell when she's honored as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.
'It's My Job To Be Professionally Nosy': Q's With 'Ronnie's' Director Oliver Murray
Posted: 17 Mar 2022, 5:58 am
Writer and director Oliver Murray, best known for his Bill Wyman documentary "The Quiet One," made a film about one of the most famous jazz venues in the world: Ronnie Scott's in London.
Elevation Festivals Announces Partnership With MedWish International To Support Ukrainian Relief
Posted: 16 Mar 2022, 4:56 pm
Elevation Festivals, the company that owns and produces WonderStruck In Cleveland, The WonderBus Music & Arts Festival in Columbus, and WonderRoad Indianapolis, is partnering with MedWish International to support relief in Ukraine.
Merch Madness: Artist-Branded Guitar Pedals Create Revenue, Hit The Road
Posted: 16 Mar 2022, 12:20 pm
In the branding and merchandise space, artists are always looking for a partnership that is authentic and speaks to fans. What better way, then, than partnering with the actual instrument itself?
Euro Ticketing: New CEO For Ticketcorner, TicketSwap Expands
Posted: 16 Mar 2022, 10:11 am
CTS Eventim announced the appointment of Oliver Niedermann as new CEO of its Swiss ticketing operation Ticketcorner. Meanwhile, Dutch ticket resale business TicketSwap has announced plans to expand its business.
Q's With Hartke Presents' Adam Hartke: Kansas Promoter Talks New Indie Touring Network D Tour
Posted: 15 Mar 2022, 4:09 pm
For professionals across the live industry, the pandemic-spurred shutdown offered the opportunity to rethink the fundamental processes that govern touring. For Adam Hartke, co-founder of Wichita-based promoter and venue operator Hartke Presents, and several other independent promoters and venue operators, that meant reimagining the very way tours are booked and routed through the country's secondary and tertiary markets.
How Remi Wolf Is Set To Be A Freaky, Funky, Poppin', Jazzy, Technicolor, Post-Pandemic Superstar
Posted: 15 Mar 2022, 3:14 pm
Remi Wolf is on the cusp of her biggest touring year yet. She plays Lollapaloozas
Brazil and Argentina at the end of March and in early April kicks off
her most significant tour yet: opening for the Grammy-winning royal that
is Lorde on her 22-date ?Solar Power Tour,? which debuts at The Opry on
April 3 and includes two nights at New York?s Radio City and L.A.?s
Shrine Auditorium. And that?s just for starters. On March 1, Wolf exuberantly
announced her upcoming European tour and just as this story
was going to press she announced a fall headlining tour entitled the "Gwingle Gwongle Tour" on her Instagram page which runs Sept. 12 to Oct. 16. The trek will take the 26-year-old phenom to the
largest rooms of her blossoming headlining career, with shows at The
Shrine, New York?s Terminal 5 and San Francisco's Warfield Theater.
15 Years Of Global Publicity: Nikki McNeill Says 'It's Still Fun'
Posted: 15 Mar 2022, 5:00 am
There are days, when it feels like almost every press release about a European festival is coming from Global Publicity, the company Nikki McNeill founded in 2007. She has been instrumental in putting some of Europe's most famous annual events on the map internationally, and the 15th anniversary of her own company was the ideal occasion to have an extensive chat about her fascinating career.
Wisin & Yandel Set Dates For Final Tour, ‘La Última Misión’
Posted: 14 Mar 2022, 6:09 pm
Wisin and Yandel are preparing to go their separate ways. But first the Puerto Rican reggaeton duo has a new album to release and a final tour to go along with it. Today?s announcement says ?La Última Misión? world tour will mark ?the last time fans can see them on stage together.?
Pearl Jam Announces Rescheduled North American Tour Dates
Posted: 14 Mar 2022, 2:17 pm
Pearl Jam is ready to get back out on the road after having to call off their 2020 tour, and the band has announced their rescheduled North American tour dates.
BTS 'Permission To Dance On Stage' Seen By 45,000 On Site & 2.4M Remotely
Posted: 14 Mar 2022, 11:51 am
Pop phenomenon BTS wrapped up three nights of "BTS Permission to dance on Stage - Seoul" at the Seoul Olympic Stadium, March 10-13. The three-day in-person concert was attended by a total of 45,000 people. In compliance with COVID protocols, the stadium's capacity was limited to 15,000 per show.
Rolling Stones Announce European Stadium Tour 'Sixty'
Posted: 14 Mar 2022, 6:04 am
The Rolling Stones return to Europe this summer to play 14 shows in ten countries, including two nights at British Summer Time Hyde Park in London, England, and their first concert in Liverpool, England, since more than 50 years.
Virginia’s History, Resorts and Culture Make it an Attractive Meetings Destination
Posted: 24 Oct 2019, 5:00 am
Virginia’s history, resorts and culture make it an attractive meetings destination in 2019. Read to discover the state’s best-in-class venues and other group offerings.
New and Expanded Convention Centers Heat Up the Texas Market
Posted: 23 Oct 2019, 6:20 am
The Texas convention center scene is a competitive market. With new developments stretching from the DFW Metroplex to West Texas, read the latest on the Lone Star State convention scene.
Ahead of IMEX America 2019, Meetings Today content developer Kate Cripe got a sneak peek of the $375 million Caesars Forum. During a hard hat tour, she got a first hand look at how the conference center project, which is expected to open in March 2020, is progressing.
4 Reasons to Leverage Digital Displays at Conventions
Posted: 26 Aug 2019, 12:10 pm
Learn why digital display technology is one of the best ways to take your event to the next level. We explore what it can mean for branding, the attendee experience, sustainability and more.
A glass sculpture titled You Are Here by Boise native Amy Westover was designed to inspire attendees and guests to look beyond the walls of the city's Boise Centre.
Speakers in the Open Expo Hall? A New Way to Maximize Conference Content
Posted: 21 May 2019, 6:00 am
When it comes to conference speaking, an innovative speaker stage setup can drive more and unexpected engagement. Meetings Today Chief Content Officer Christoph Trappe reports live from DES Madrid on how the "open air" concept works for attendees and presenters.
6 Tips for Working With a Convention Services Team
Posted: 30 Apr 2019, 7:35 am
Meeting and event planners working with a facility’s convention services team can help ensure their program is a success by providing some very basic, but essential, information. Maxine Compean, associate event manager for the dual-branded the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection and the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, offered the following six tips to keep meeting and event planners and the convention services team on the same page.
An Event Planner’s Take on the New Kentucky International Convention Center
Posted: 13 Mar 2019, 3:05 pm
Event planner Christa Mekki, founder and senior planner at Magnetic Magnificent Events, was one of the first to experience the brand-new Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). Meetings Today reached out to Mekki for her take on the reimagined convention center.
6 Innovative Convention Center Projects That Are Reinventing the U.S. Meetings Landscape
Posted: 13 Mar 2019, 7:30 am
Innovation is requisite for staying ahead in the convention business. It’s second nature for Las Vegas, and it’s also the watchword for reinvention in convention markets around the U.S.
Event Venue Titans AEG Facilities and SMG Announce Merger
Posted: 8 Feb 2019, 10:20 am
AEG Facilities and SMG owner Onex announced they will merge to create ASM Global. The new company will be headquartered in Los Angeles and will operate over 300 venues across five continents that include arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performing arts centers.
San Francisco’s Moscone Center Nearly Doubles in Size
Posted: 19 Dec 2018, 5:45 am
As the new year approaches, so does a new beginning for San Francisco’s meetings business. The long-awaited opening of an upgraded Moscone Center came in early January, as the convention complex debuted a $551 million expansion.
Q&A With David Gibbons, Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)
Posted: 20 Nov 2018, 8:45 am
Meetings Today Senior Contributor Jeff Heilman touched base with Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) Executive Director David Gibbons on the MCCA’s increase in group business and the future of the facility.
Orlando's Orange County Convention Center is moving forward with a $605 million campus improvement plan. The project will bring expansions and new meeting and exhibit space in the North and South concourses, further increasing the center’s seven million square feet of total function space.
IACC, the association that represents the global conference center segment, is set to more than double its number of European facilities within the next four months if a deal to add the supplier members of two conference center groups comes to fruition, according to IACC CEO Mark Cooper.
St. Louis Convention Center Plans Extensive Renovation
Posted: 7 Oct 2018, 8:00 pm
The America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis will undergo an expansion and extensive renovations. The AC Next Gen Project, which will include the addition of 92,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 65,000-square-foot ballroom and meeting area, a new outdoor pavilion and 26 new loading docks, was announced during a press conference held on October 3.
On a recent tour of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Meetings Today spoke with John Page, general manager for SMG for the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). Page shared his advice for navigating a convention center renovation or expansion.
5 Things You May Not Have Known About the Chattanooga Convention Center
Posted: 18 Sep 2018, 8:00 pm
Once you’ve seen one convention center you’ve seen them all, right? A recent visit to the Chattanooga Convention Center left me surprised to find some nice touches that many of its bigger—and smaller—city counterparts lacked. Following are five standout features I noticed during my tour of the Chattanooga Convention Center led by Executive Director Mike Shuford, during a press trip with the Chattanooga CVB.
The Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) hosted a grand opening ceremony, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 following a two-year, $207 million renovation and expansion project. State and local government officials, along with KICC facility officials and staff welcomed meeting clients, local stakeholders, interested citizens, and media to an open house that showcased how the new facility will host small to large-scale events.
Caesars Forum Conference Center Breaks Ground in Vegas
Posted: 16 Jul 2018, 8:00 pm
Caesars Entertainment broke ground on its $375 million, Caesars Forum conference center on Monday, July 16, during a ceremony for trade press, industry executives and Caesars staff members. The ceremony was also livestreamed by Caesars so that people could tune in from all over the world.
Q&A With Jennifer B. Davis on Greater Columbus Convention Center Updates
Posted: 30 Jun 2018, 8:00 pm
Meetings Today contributor Carolyn Blackburn interviewed Jennifer B. David, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager with the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), to discuss recent updates to the facility. The GCCC, which features 373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, wrapped a two-year $140 million renovation and expansion project in July 2017 to improve the overall guest experience, including the installation of an impressive art collection and local F&B concepts.
5 Campus Conference Centers That Will Enhance Any Event
Posted: 1 May 2018, 8:00 pm
College towns are happening hubs of activity, where the arts, sports and culinary delights thrive. All that and more is on deck for planners who book a university setting for a conference.
Creativity Takes Center Stage at Convention Centers
Posted: 26 Mar 2018, 8:00 pm
The artwork installed at an increasing number of popular convention centers transforms these necessarily utilitarian buildings into magnificent galleries that rival some of the most inspired museums in the world.
Arlington Unveils Plans for Massive Esports Stadium
Posted: 18 Mar 2018, 8:00 pm
The City of Arlington announced plans for Esports Stadium Arlington, an esports-specific venue designed to draw competitive gamers and fans from around the world. The proposed venue will be built within the existing Arlington Convention Center in collaboration with architecture firm Populous.
CEIR Releases Third Report in Attendee Retention Insights Series
Posted: 24 May 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 24 May 2016 ? The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced today the release of the third report in its newest series, 2016 Attendee Retention Insights Part Three: Education Content that Builds a Loyal Alumni Attendee Audience. This landmark body of research offers organizers a comprehensive resource to help understand the profile of attendees that visit an exhibition repeatedly and the content that turns them into loyal customers.
CEIR Releases Second Report in Attendee Retention Insights Series
Posted: 10 May 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 10 May 2016 ? The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced today the release of the second report in its newest series, 2016 Attendee Retention Insights Part Two: Exhibition Floor Features that Build a Loyal Alumni Attendee Audience. This landmark body of research offers organizers a comprehensive resource to help understand the profile of attendees that visit an exhibition repeatedly and the content that turns them into loyal customers
Fourth Annual IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum Another Sold Out Event
Posted: 4 May 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 4 May 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) celebrates another successful Women?s Leadership Forum on 26 April 2016 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. More than 200 attendees sold out this year?s event which featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career.
IAEE Now Accepting Applications for 2016 Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund Grants
Posted: 3 May 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 3 May 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) has opened the application process for the 2016 Bob Dallmeyer Education Fund Grants, which aid qualified professionals in their pursuit of continuing education and career development in the exhibitions and events industry.
IAEE Now Accepting 2016 Helen Brett Scholarship Applications
Posted: 2 May 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 2 May 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and EventsTM (IAEE) has opened the application process for the Helen Brett Scholarship awards in 2016. The scholarship serves to promote the exhibitions and events industry by attracting college-level students into the field of study and encouraging their pursuit with financial support.
CEIR Debuts New Report Series Focusing on Attendee Retention
Posted: 28 Apr 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 28 April 2016 ? The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced today the release of the first report in its newest series, 2016 Attendee Retention Insights. Reports from this exciting new, landmark study offers organizers a comprehensive resource to help understand the profile of attendees that visit an exhibition repeatedly and the content that turns them into a loyal fanbase. The series consists of five reports, beginning with Part One: Basics for Creating Your Attendee Retention Strategy: Tracking, Profiling and Why They Come Back.
IAEE Public Events Council Releases 2016 Survey Report
Posted: 26 Apr 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 26 April 2016 ? Today, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) Public Events Council released its Public Events Industry Report: 2015 Results. In 2009, the Public Events Council distributed a survey to public event organizers across 22 public events industry sectors to examine overall industry performance. The report identified which public events industry sectors fared well, which sectors struggled and their expectations for the future. As a follow-up to the benchmark report, the survey is repeated annually with subsequent reports detailing individual and comparative statistics over the years.
DALLAS, 12 April 2016 ? Today, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released the 2016 CEIR Index Report. The CEIR Index analyzes the 2015 exhibition industry and provides a future outlook for the next three years. Despite widespread pessimism and deceleration of activity during the fourth quarter, the U.S. economy still displayed significant signs of strength in 2015, led by personal consumption and residential construction. These strengths were offset partially by deterioration in energy development and net exports to produce real GDP growth of 2.4%. According to CEIR?s current projection, 2016 growth will be about the same, or perhaps slightly weaker as the trade gap widens further, before GDP accelerates in 2018 (see Figure 1).
DALLAS, 5 April 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) and the Japan Exhibition Association (JEXA) announced the renewal of a reciprocity agreement to benefit members of both organizations. Originally signed in 2012, the agreement renews the commitment of IAEE and JEXA to promote and develop the exhibitions and events industries in their respective countries through membership collaboration.
DALLAS, 4 April 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) announces the addition of its latest chapter in Asia, the IAEE India Chapter. The IAEE Board of Directors approved the creation of this new chapter during its meeting held 31 March 2016 at the HITEX Exhibition Center in Hyderabad, India.
IAEE MATSO Council Adds New Content for May Meeting
Posted: 31 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 31 March 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) MATSO Council?s program for this year?s MATSO Spring Program on 23-24 May 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. will focus on exchanging information that address challenges, share best practices and understand the changing landscape of Tier 1 cities.
IAEE Awards Jacqueline Russo with 2016 Woman of Achievement Award
Posted: 30 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 30 March 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) proudly congratulates Jacqueline Russo, Vice President of Kuehne + Nagel, Inc., as this year?s recipient of the IAEE Woman of Achievement Award. This award recognizes a woman who has led the way in the advancement of women in the exhibitions and events industry, exhibited outstanding leadership, and made significant contributions to the industry and her community.
CEIR Releases New Industry Insight Series Report Written by Candy Adams
Posted: 29 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 29 March 2016 ? Today the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announces a new Industry Insight Series report, 99 Cost-Savings Tips and Tricks for Exhibit Managers written by Candy Adams, CTSM, CME, CEM, CMP, CMM, a revered and well-known exhibition industry veteran and owner of ?The Booth Mom®? Trade Show Consulting.
DALLAS, 28 March 2016 ? Registration is now open for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) Krakoff Leadership Institute (KLI) to be held 7-9 August 2016 at The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel in Huntington Beach, Calif. The program is open to IAEE members interested in enhancing their strategic skills, and broadening their knowledge as current and future leaders in the exhibitions and events industry.
IAEE Congratulates its 2016 International Excellence Award Recipient
Posted: 17 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 17 March 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) congratulates Edward J. Krause III (Ned), President and CEO of E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. (EJK) as this year?s recipient of the IAEE International Excellence Award. The IAEE International Excellence Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made exceptional strides in creating, launching and managing an international event in the exhibitions and events industry on an international scale.
DALLAS, 15 March 2015 ? Today, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced the release of the final report in the CEIR Digital Toolkit series. The new report, entitled Focus Report on Exhibition Organizer Onsite and Post-event Offerings provides an in-depth look at attendee preferences compared to business-to-business exhibition offerings for show mobile apps, as well as other onsite digital amenities and post-event digital communications.
IAEE MATSO Council Announces City Working Group Initiative, Finalizes Governance Procedures
Posted: 9 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 9 March 2016 ? The International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) MATSO Council announced it will resurrect city task force updates following a recent council meeting that focused on future programming and governance procedures.
IAEE Announces 2016 Call for Nominations for Individual Awards
Posted: 8 Mar 2016, 1:00 am
DALLAS, 8 March 2016 ? Today, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events? (IAEE) has opened the Call for Nominations for its annual awards program to recognize exceptional professionals in the exhibitions and events industry. Industry professionals who meet the outlined criteria may be nominated for any of the awards listed below, and recipients will be honored at Expo! Expo! IAEE?s Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held 6-8 December in Anaheim, Calif.
Please submit your session ideas for IAVM?s conferences. Presentations cannot be sales pitches, and if your topic is selected, IAVM will contact you concerning the coordination of the session speaker/panelists.
IAVM is actively monitoring the impact of recent Ebola incidents. At the direction of Chair Kim Bedier, CFE ? in collaboration with our Industry Affairs Council and key IAVM staff ? an Ebola task force has been formed to work on relevant communications to the IAVM community.
What does the association meeting of tomorrow look like and how can you prepare to provide your members with the type of meetings they need? A presenter at ASAE's 2011 Annual Meeting & Expo provides her expert glimpse into the future.
Rethinking Sponsorships in the Age of Social Media
Posted: 16 Sep 2011, 4:56 pm
Technology is changing our lives in seemingly countless ways, including association event sponsorships. Find out what a leading event software expert believes are the best ways to make the most of sponsorships in the age of social media.
What You Need to Know About Simultaneous Interpretation
Posted: 16 Sep 2011, 4:54 pm
As more associations venture overseas, simultaneous interpretation is more important than ever. Two experts who have conducted events around the globe share their insights.
Even the largest associations sometimes have meetings that don't represent a lot of room nights, which can reduce your ability to negotiate with the host hotel. Here are nine tips to help you get the best deal for your next meeting, no matter how many attendees you have.
We use strategic planning in our everyday lives but often get too caught up in all the details to apply it effectively during the meeting planning process. Discover how to be truly strategic the next time you're planning an important meeting.
There's more to meetings than good content and a nice location. An ASAE Fellow and association business strategy consultant shares his views on factors such as information needs, competing resources, and strategic barriers that impact attendance at association conventions and tradeshows.
Post-Recession Economy Requires New Guidelines for Association Events
Posted: 6 Jul 2011, 10:53 am
Association events are making a comeback following the deep recession, but everyone remains sensitive to appearing too extravagant and expensive. Here's a process for determining what's appropriate for your next events.
Increase Exhibitor Engagement Without Increasing Your Budget
Posted: 6 Jul 2011, 10:49 am
Every association tradeshow is under pressure to increase traffic, but at what cost? Follow these strategies for increasing traffic and enhancing exhibitor loyalty without busting your budget.
Letter From the Chair: ME Section Contributes to "199 Ideas" for Planners
Posted: 6 Jul 2011, 10:47 am
The Meetings & Expositions Section Council chair discusses the debut of an exciting new resource for association planners, provides a glimpse of the upcoming Annual Meeting & Exposition, and lends his perspective on the value of associations to society.
Tips to Make Transportation at Your Conference Greener
Posted: 9 May 2011, 10:09 am
Greening meetings has come a long way in recent years, but you can take it to the next level with a little strategy and a lot of enthusiasm. Learn how to get your group actively involved in being a deeper shade of green.
