United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

New JMIC Report Documents Practical Industry Responses to UNSDGs
Based on 43 submissions from 16 countries world-wide, the Report includes initiatives from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa, demonstrating the wide range of approaches being taken in a global commitment to addressing UNSDG Goals in the Meetings Industry.

Press Release
JMIC SDG Report

An Important Opportunity for JMIC Members

Based on a system for documentation developed by JMIC member UFI, JMIC members now have an important opportunity to demonstrate our collective leadership in addressing the United Nations Sustainable development goals established to document and illustrate how industry initiatives can be undertaken in ways that support long term stability and responsible growth on a world-wide basis.

The Meetings Industry has a great story to tell in this regard and telling it effectively is a good way to support our advocacy initiatives by demonstrating something we all take for granted—that our work supports economic, professional, social and academic advancement to the benefit of all—but is not well understood by those outside the industry.

The attached templates make it easy for you to document your achievements– and provide us with the ability to illustrate the principles on which this industry operates. At the same time it offers you the opportunity to distinguish your organization amongst your colleagues in ways that really matter.

Read on. And then take the initiative to select those programs, events or operating principles that best demonstrate your commitment to a sustainable future. All initiatives will be acknowledged and endorsed by the Joint Meetings Industry Council—and form part of a report that will be shared with both global authorities and local communities to show our leadership as an industry.

What are the UN SDGs and why are they important?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action by all countries to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The 17 goals address the global challenges that we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, economic prosperity, and justice. The aim is to achieve all 17 goals and their accompanied targets by 2030, and businesses play a crucial role in ensuring this success.

Where can I learn more about the SDGs?

Visit the official UNSDG website for more information here.

How does the Meetings Industry contribute to the SDGs?

Our industry engages with millions every year through their participation in the business events they attend and use to support their own activities and objectives. At the same time, it spans a wide cross section of all sectors of business, government, academia and community. With such a wide audience and reach, our industry more than most can have a meaningful influence on how knowledge and business practices evolve.

How can you contribute? Why Should You? You can demonstrate how your events and initiatives contribute to the SDGs by documenting your best programs and practices using the templates provided for submissions. This kind of participation supports our overall industry proposition—but it offers important benefits to you and your members as well by giving you:

• The opportunity to learn more about the SDGs and how they can fit into your own strategic planning;
• Global recognition for your vision and contributions to the objectives of the SDGs
• JMIC will edit and systemize entries to ensure that they are consistent with others on the database.

What will JMIC do with the results? JMIC will have contributions analyzed and validated by a recognized sustainability advisor and publicize the resulting report widely as part of our industry advocacy activities. The results will also be a resource for those wishing to access good examples of industry responsibility to their own audiences. New submissions, once approved, will be added to this library and incorporated into the final report.

The UN SDGs Online Reporting Tool

The submission process has been streamlined and facilitated by the preparation of three templates that together capture the range of SDG-related benefits of three different elements of industry activity:

Type I  |  Event Theme and Content: How the theme of the event contributes to the SDGs

Type II  |  Event Execution and Operation: How the approach taken to the operation of the event contributes to the SDGs

Type III  |  Company’s Operations: How an organizer/supplier’s own operations contribute to the SDGs

1. Download the form
2. Open the form within an application that can re-save the filled document ie. Acrobat Pro
3. Email as an attachment to criterion@axion.net

Current Submissions

Submissions that have already been reviewed and endorsed are listed below, with links to the detailed submission. These provide a library of excellent examples of the kinds of program activities that qualify as UNSDG initiatves.