The Talking Point: The IMEX Group Podcast

Today in our episode we’re talking plastic in events and how the return to in-person events can be a purposeful recovery with Meegan Jones, Sustainability Advisor, The Ocean Race.

You’ll take away insights including:

• How the Ocean Race, one of the world’s big three sailing events (alongside the America’s Cup and the Olympics) approaches sustainability
• Why we can’t rest easy on the use of single-use plastics and, aside from F&B, where else can we make a big impact?
• How COVID-19 impacts plastic use in events (hint: the hygiene standards we had in place pre-pandemic were always designed to combat virus/germ spread!)
• What are the pain points for event professionals designing sustainable events? Where can we break down silos to improve end-of-life planning for event waste?
• Why eventprofs can lead as consumers by creating demand for sustainable innovations
• How your events can be ‘living labs’ for testing sustainability innovations in the future

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Today in our episode we’re talking about how nature can bring communities together with Greg DeShields, Executive Director, PHL Diversity.

You’ll take away insights including:

• How and why Philadelphia came to position itself as a leader in diversity
• Why planners choose to take their events to a diverse city and the impact on communities
• Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is five times larger than New York’s Central Park – who knew?!
• How Philadelphia uses its parks to engage nearby communities, underserved groups and youth
• Why natural environments, even those within cities, can be huge assets to destinations as events start their return

Today in our episode we’re talking about the power of nature with Daniel Fox, photographer/philosopher/explorer/entrepreneur/artist and author of Feel The Wild. This is part two in a podcast series with Daniel.

You’ll take away insights including:

• How do we re-connect with nature – is it as simple as leaving your phone behind?
• Why Daniel thinks climate change is about our relationship with the world, both giving and taking.
• What are young peoples’ attitudes towards nature?
• What happens when there is no connection with nature?
• How having ups and downs in life can create a certain kind of peace
• Where will Daniel’s travels take him next? (As soon as the world re-opens!)

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Today in our episode we’re talking about the power of nature with Daniel Fox, photographer/philosopher/explorer/entrepreneur/artist and author of Feel The Wild. Keep an eye out for part two of this podcast, coming soon.

You’ll take away insights including:

• What Daniel has to say about the craft of photography - Budding nature photographers listen up!
• Nature is both teacher and mentor – how do we listen?
• How Daniel’s mantra serves to connect him to nature and himself (and what do snow globes have to do with it?!)
• What is the power of using your voice, in nature and in life?
• Why it’s important to feel our connection with animals, whether in conflict or communion
• Earth, wind, fire, water – which is Daniel’s favourite element?

Today in our episode we’re talking about putting human nature back into data with David Allison, Founder, The Valuegraphics Database, the first global database built to predict and influence the behavior of entire target audiences. You’ll take away insights including:

• How traditional demographics no longer work for us – as David says, we’re all the same age now!
• Why focussing on values over demographics can save you money
• How crises can impact a person’s values
• What factors can motivate a person who strongly values environmentalism
• How can values-thinking help businesses during the pandemic

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Today in our episode we’re talking about MGM Resort’s efforts to provide event planners with a handy guide to sustainability with Yalmaz Siddiqui, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability at MGM Resorts International. You’ll take away insights including:

• How a deck of cards is making sustainable event planning between venues and planners easier
• How event planner values have shifted to an increased interest in sustainability
• Which small changes in sustainability strategy (removing plastic bottles) can have huge impact (budget for plant-based meat alternatives)
• What’s the lowdown on the cost of sustainable alternatives? Are they more expensive or is this a myth?
• The ins and outs of MGM’s food donation programme
• What’s a blast chiller? (by the way, it’s now been developed and is in regular use!)
• How do you safely manage the temperature of food to make donations go further – feeding communities in need exactly when they need it?

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Today in our episode we’re talking nature-inspired spaces with Ed Poland, Co-Founder at Hire Space. This episode is all about unique and interesting venues and planner attitudes towards nature and sustainability. You’ll take away insights including:

• Where nature and sustainability rank on the list of planners’ priorities
• Why outdoor or nature-infused spaces are the perfect place to hold an event
• Why your attendees care about sustainable credentials – and what this means for you
• How technology can be used to recreate the effects of nature at your events
• What the shift in attitude has been towards sustainable suppliers
• Why IMEX chooses to “share what we learn” and believes in the importance of making mistakes

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Today in our episode we’re talking the IMEX Group’s approach to sustainability and nature, with Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. This episode is all about our Talking Point, which for 2020 and 2021 is (you guessed it!) NATURE. You’ll learn some captivating views about Nature and what it means for our industry and the destinations that embrace it, including:

• Why no plastic bags are allowed into Rwanda and what that means for travellers
• The ways that smaller destinations can make BIG changes happen quickly
• Why the Global Destination Sustainability Index has raised the visibility of destinations’ sustainability efforts
• What going ‘beyond a tradeshow’ means to IMEX
• How we REALLY feel about meat-free meals at events
• How planners feel about sustainable trade shows
• Addressing the elephant in the room for the business events community – how can we justify travelling so much?

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Today in our episode we’re talking nature-infused meetings with Janet Sperstad, educator, innovator and Director of the Meeting and Event Management Programme at Madison College, USA. This episode is all about human DNA and the hormones of leadership. Who knew there was such a thing? You’ll learn some fascinating facts about DNA and how to change your hormones to give you a leadership edge, including the importance of our innate connection to the natural world:

Today in our episode we’re talking human connections with Jonathan Bradshaw, Creator & CEO, Meetology. Among many great science-based tips, in this conversation you’ll learn about ‘human beings and being human’ including:

• That meeting with people ‘on purpose’ is a skill; one that can be practiced and improved
• The power of observing yourself from the 3rd person
• Why talking out loud to yourself can REALLY help (true!)
• The importance of ‘failure’ and learning from experience (hint: there’s no such thing as failure)
• Why nerves are a good thing – and how to use them to your advantage
• How to reframe your thoughts to give yourself an edge
• Why and how social connection is important in societies and groups that are burdened by loneliness (because our brains are psychologically designed for connection)
• How to accept a compliment and why it’s important for your emotional health and wellbeing
• How to transform being authentic and vulnerable into your very own superpower

Seriously, you won’t want to miss out on these precious and transformative 14 minutes. Treat yourself.

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Today in our episode we’re embracing nature in event design with Ruud Janssen, Managing Partner & Co-founder, Event Design Collective GmbH. You'll find out how nature can inform the event design process, how events are shifting to experiences and how event planners can use nature to influence the behaviour of attendees.

Today in our launch episode we’re exploring the circular economy with Guy Bigwood, Managing Director, Global Destination Sustainability Index. You'll find out what it means to be 'circular' and how meeting and event planners can minimise their impact on the environment by rethinking the traditional 'make, use, dispose' model.