GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions
The GSTC MICE Standard (for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions), known previously as GSTC MICE Criteria, aim to serve as the global sustainability standards for the industry and were created to provide a common understanding of sustainable tourism in the MICE industry throughout the world.
The GSTC MICE Standard are the minimum that any MICE business should aspire to reach. They are organized around four main themes: effective sustainability planning, maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative impacts on the environment. They have applicability to the entire MICE industry.
The GSTC MICE Standard have been developed for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. The development process was an 18-month-long journey from September 2022 to February 2024, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Some of the uses of the standard include the following:
- Help define sustainability in a holistic manner
- Raise awareness of the breadth and nature of sustainability
- Serve as the basis for certification for sustainability
- Serve as basic guidelines for MICE businesses to become more sustainable, which includes guidance for identifying more sustainable suppliers and service providers
- Provide greater market access in the growing market for sustainable businesses, serving as guidance for the MICE businesses in choosing suppliers and partners
- Help consumers identify sound sustainable MICE businesses
- Serve as a common denominator for information media to recognize sustainable MICE businesses
- Offer both the public and private sectors a starting point for developing sustainable MICE business requirements
- Serve as basic guidelines for education and training on sustainable MICE by universities, hospitality schools, or associations
- Demonstrate leadership that inspires others to act
The GSTC Standard indicate what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Standard.
Source: GSTC.org
