Kuoni Tumlare Congress’s partnership with DrupalCon Europe exemplifies how a professional congress organiser (PCO) can embed sustainability deeply into a major international event, achieving measurable environmental and social outcomes.
Background
DrupalCon is a flagship global conference series for the Drupal community, featuring thousands of developers, marketers and digital professionals. The 2024 edition in Barcelona gathered over 1,100 attendees from sixty-seven countries with over 100 engaging sessions, four inspiring keynote talks, workshops and community activities. Kuoni Tumlare Congress has been managing DrupalCon Europe since 2019, evolving from a logistical support role to a strategic partnership that helps shape the event’s vision and impact.
Sustainability Vision and Strategy
At DrupalCon Barcelona 2024, Kuoni Tumlare Congress supported the Drupal Association’s bold commitment to sustainability, integrating it into every stage of the Congress lifecycle. This included aligning with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and applying a holistic approach to minimise environmental footprint while enhancing social equity and attendee experience.
Key Sustainability Achievements
- 24.3% reduction in carbon emissions compared to previous editions. This was achieved through careful planning of venue selection, transportation options, and energy use.
- Near-zero event waste was accomplished by partnering with local vendors, emphasizing sustainable materials and implementing comprehensive waste sorting and recycling programmes.
- Local food suppliers and plant-based menus were prioritised to reduce the event’s environmental impact and support local economies.
- Equitable access was guaranteed by offering travel and registration grants to ensure diverse and inclusive participation, making the event accessible to a broader community.
- Full stakeholder engagement: attendees, sponsors and partners were actively involved through sustainability contests and challenges, such as low-emission travel initiatives, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
Data-Driven Monitoring and Reporting
Kuoni Tumlare Congress employed a data-driven approach to track key metrics including attendee travel patterns and food waste volumes. This enabled transparent reporting and informed continuous improvements for future DrupalCon events.
Impact and Legacy
The DrupalCon Europe 2024 sustainability efforts demonstrate that large-scale tech conferences can significantly reduce their environmental and social footprints without compromising the quality of the attendee experience or the event’s community spirit. The success of this case study has set a new benchmark for future DrupalCons, including the upcoming 2025 event in Vienna, which plans to expand sustainability efforts further.
