In September 2026, the fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V. and the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) will launch a new convoy for the introduction of the ISO 20121 sustainability standard.

The one-year program accompanies companies in the event industry in the introduction of a sustainable event management system and supports them in implementing the requirements of ISO 20121 in a practical way in their own operations. Professional qualification, regular exchange of experience and the concrete application of the standard form the basis of the programme.

 Associations join forces for more sustainability 

For the first time, the convoy is also open to members of other industry associations. Companies from organisations such as the GCB German Convention Bureau e.V., the AUMA Exhibition and Trade Fair Committee of the German Economy e.V. or the BDKV Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry e.V. can participate at special conditions. The opening of the programme is the result of a regular exchange of associations on the topic of sustainability. The aim is to use synergies, share knowledge and jointly advance the sustainable development of the event industry.

Practical implementation through joint learning 

“With the next convoy, we are creating an offer that, in addition to imparting knowledge, enables companies to exchange ideas with each other in order to learn with and from each other. The support over a period of one year brings each participating company into concrete implementation. That is the real benefit of this program,” says Marko Roscher, Sustainability Officer, fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft e.V.

The convoy is based on the principle of joint learning. In interactive workshops and regular exchange formats, the participants develop the requirements of ISO 20121 and transfer them to their individual corporate structures. At the same time, they benefit from the Group’s experience and jointly develop solutions to challenges in practical implementation.

Wulf Issinger, schoko pro GmbH, reports from a past convoy: “Working in the convoy of fwd: and IFES on ISO 20121 is a real benefit for us. The regular exchange with the other participants and the professional support provided by the associations help to advance a complex topic together and in a practical way.”

ISO 20121 as a recognised sustainability standard 

ISO 20121 is the internationally recognised standard for sustainable event management. The standard supports companies in systematically integrating ecological, social and economic aspects into their business processes and continuously developing them further. A management system in accordance with ISO 20121 creates transparency, improves internal processes and offers reliable proof of sustainable action – also in the context of tenders and award procedures

Participants from convoy 5 during a workshop session in Wiesbaden, Germany