The workshop is conceived by the Planet Positive Event team, the official sustainability partner of Conventa, and is designed as a hands-on laboratory where participants can learn, test and measure sustainable approaches in real time.
According to the organisers, the event aims to reinforce Conventa’s role as
a regional best-practice case for sustainable and regenerative event
organisation. The programme will also include the debut presentation of
the Ljubljana Manifesto, a strategic framework intended to
guide the sustainable organisation of future events.
The core objective of SWITCH is to encourage event organisers to move from
discussion to action by creating regenerative events with measurable short-term
impacts and long-term legacy for the environment, local communities and
economies.
Roger Legner will present how
international trade shows integrate sustainability into strategy, key
performance indicators and execution. A significant part of the programme will
be dedicated to practical work, structured around five interrelated segments.
1.
The first
segment focuses on managing carbon footprint through accurate measurement, data
tracking and systematic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
2.
The second
addresses compliance with international standards, including local legislation,
ESG requirements and recognised sustainability frameworks.
3.
The third
segment concentrates on impact management, emphasising active planning,
tracking and evaluation of short-term and long-term event effects.
4.
The fourth
examines transparent and credible carbon offsetting practices,
5.
while the fifth
highlights communication and attendee inclusion, encouraging informed
decision-making and participation in sustainable initiatives.
Through curated group work, participants will gain practical, ready-to-use knowledge applicable to their own event planning processes. This applied approach is positioned as a key differentiator of the workshop.
A central feature of the programme is the Sustainability Lab,
where attendees will track an event’s carbon footprint, waste stream mapping,
emissions generated by different plastic types, emissions per food portion, and
the use of AI tools for event optimisation.
The workshop will also present best-practice case studies supported by
Planet Positive Event, covering a range of formats from large-scale sports
festivals and corporate meetings to scientific conferences, illustrating how
sustainable principles can be adapted to different event scales and objectives.
The programme concludes with a roundtable discussion titled “Everything you wanted to know about sustainable event organising, but never dared to ask”, where experts will address common questions from event organisers in a direct and accessible format.
The unveiling of the Ljubljana Manifesto will outline a framework aimed at
helping organisers avoid greenwashing by basing decisions on measurable data
and verified practices, while translating sustainability commitments into
actionable plans and long-term legacy outcomes.
Attendance at SWITCH is free of charge for exhibitors and hosted buyers of
Conventa 2026, reinforcing the event’s focus on knowledge sharing and long-term
regenerative impact within the events industry.
Conventa is organised by
the Slovenian Convention Bureau and Toleranca marketing, in cooperation
with Ljubljana Tourism, the Slovenian Tourist Board and 20 strategic partners.
Tags: Conventa Slovenian Convention Bureau Toleranca marketing, Ljubljana Tourism, Slovenian Tourist Board
