MCEC Event Experts: Sam Ferrier, Creating Sustainable Events

At MCEC we’re serious about sustainability and, with gold EarthCheck certification since 2016 and a six-star green star rating from the Green Building Council Australia, we’re proud to be recognised as a leading sustainable event destination. We’re always working to find new ways to innovate and improve sustainable practices, reducing the environmental footprint of not only our own organisation but the broader events industry. Leading us as we lead the way is our very own environmental champion and true force of nature, Sustainability Manager Sam Ferrier.

Since joining the MCEC team in 2020, Sam has spearheaded several successful waste reduction and recovery initiatives at MCEC, including commitments to eliminate unnecessary and problematic single use plastics and divert 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2025, as well as becoming completely powered by renewable energy by 2028.

Sam is also the driving force behind MCEC’s ambitious sustainability strategy , which has drawn praise from across the industry for its uncompromising commitment to minimising environmental impact and creating actionable solutions for generating substantial industry change over a relatively short timeline.

"Our vision is to lead extraordinary environmental change and amplify our social impact, by forging partnerships and inspiring our people, to leave a positive legacy", says Sam.

Founded on the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) , the five-year strategy incorporates a number of ambitious – but achievable – targets based around several key pillars of sustainability including climate change, waste and resource recovery, energy efficiency, biodiversity and education and awareness.

"The strategy is about being aware of our scope of influence and driving social and environmental solutions to create meaningful long-term impact. As an industry, the events sector needs to be accountable for the impact it has on the world around us. In order to make a meaningful shift across the sector, we must all commit to a shared vision of change. MCEC is providing that commitment through our ambitious targets and resourcing."

"My role is about ensuring the sustainability of our business, our operations, but also working with our customers to help them make their events more sustainable. There’s a huge education part to my role, both internally and externally. But while it is so important to educate people and create awareness, it’s also really important to make sure we’re creating tangible solutions and change."

"Sustainability really excites me. Creating a culture of sustainability is really important, and that culture’s really embraced here at MCEC. I love working at MCEC because I don’t have to explain the ‘why’ to my role or the ‘why’ to sustainability - the people here just get it. It’s part of the culture, it’s part of their lingo and I really love working with people like that."

"Now we have a new generation of young people who are really passionate about sustainability and passionate about reversing climate change. That’s what gives me hope for the future."

Ready to experience the future of sustainable events? Start planning your next event with MCEC.