The Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI17) will once again bring together global innovators and sector leaders to share, network, and accelerate environmental and social actions to make impactful changes in all kinds of events. After a sellout success last year, the 17th edition will take place on 25th February 2025 at the Royal Lancaster London.
“We’re very excited with how the programme is shaping up with such important topics for the 17th edition. We’re looking forward to hosting the inspiring GEI community, including this years newcomers.” Says AGF CEO Claire O’Neill.
GEI17 will feature an exciting programme of informative, entertaining, and inspiring conversations. With a key theme of Biodiversity, Marie Sabot (We Love Green festival) and Hortense Serret (CESCO / Nabi Ecology) will be providing insight into the work of We Love Green festival and the City of Paris (where the festival takes place) in dealing with the ecological protection and enhancement at the event’s site and surrounding area.
A Greener Future’s Nikita Coulter presents the National Arenas Association Green Guide alongside NAA, demonstrating how it provides an interface between promoters, productions, venues, and audiences. Continuing the multi stakeholder theme, A Greener Tour Round V session returns, which will see representatives from various parts of the live ecosystem look for collaborative solutions for improving the impact of touring.
The latest technologies and solutions for power and removing diesel from events and film productions have been hot topics throughout 2024, with a boom in research, activity, and investments. With the help of Dale Vince (Ecotricity / Forest Green Rovers), Roxy Erickson (Music Climate Pact), and Claire O’Neill (AGF/Grid Faeries), this topic is explored, from Grid Faeries 1MW battery to grid installations, to investment and replacement cycles in supplier equipment, and what it means to have a ‘deep green energy basket’ for the event sector.
Elsewhere, as climate change brings extreme weather to regions and therefore our events, we will focus on water and sanitisation with chair Jane Healy (J Healy Productions / Glastonbury / Boomtown Fair); and the actions required to protect this scarce and increasingly polluted essential resource. Where there is bad weather there is a potential insurance claim, and Steven Howell (Music Insurance Brokers) gives insight into the landscape and considerations for event organisers to be protected and minimise their risks.
Shining a light on cultural events and spaces as a force for good, Gabrielle Austen-Browne (Diversity Alliance) gives insight into how to meaningfully integrate DEIBA into event consciousness; Sanjoy K. Roy (Teamwork Arts) shares information about the sustainability and social actions of Jaipur Literature Festival in India; and following Act 1.5 Expedition One in Liverpool, UK, we will take a look at the future of event sustainability reporting and communication through the lens of public health.
These are in addition to previously announced sessions:
TICKET TO RIDE by The Changency & Crowd Impact, together with German pop/rock band AnnenMayKantereit; Massive Attack’s Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator, plus an exclusive panel representing phase 2 of the project alongside discussions on Liverpool Accelerator City; and The Quick-Fire Innovation Round, which gives delegates the chance to pitch their innovative green solution to future clients and peers. Applications are now open to delegates via the GEI website.
Other speakers so far confirmed include; Sangeeta Waldron (Serendipity PR), Dr. Teresa Moore (A Greener Future), Madame Gandhi (Artist / Activist, US), and John Robb (Artist / Author).
Rounding off GEI17 will be the International AGF Awards 2025, sponsored by Skydiamond, in which the most innovative and green-aspiring events, venues, organisations, and individuals from events worldwide over the last 12 months are celebrated. Last year’s roll call included 27 nominees from 12 countries, with nine taking home one of our prestigious awards. The top accolade – International Greener Festival Award 2024 – went to Belgium’s Paradise City, who also scooped the Greener Catering Award for their vegan and locally sourced menus.
