Global organizations are placing greater emphasis on documented sustainability practices in RFPs and procurement processes, making sustainable performance a growing competitive differentiator.
CVS Studios is a design firm that manufactures custom exhibits and booths for trade shows. Leadership quickly recognised that sustainability was no longer a “nice to have” in the experiential marketing space. It had become a business-critical requirement; a “must have.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards Certification is a globally recognised sustainability certification for the events and exhibitions industry. It provides a structured framework to help event organizers, venues, destinations, exhibition companies, and suppliers measure and improve their environmental and social impact.
The certification evaluates sustainability performance across key areas, including climate action, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, diversity and inclusion, accessibility, and community impact.
Who Is the Events Industry Council (EIC)?
The Events Industry Council (EIC) is the global representative body for the business events industry. EIC operates as a worldwide federation made up of:
It provides leadership in advocacy, research, professional recognition and industry standards.
EIC Sustainable Event Standards Certification Levels Overview
Certification is awarded based on the percentage of applicable sustainability criteria achieved, verified through a third-party audit.
YellowYellow stepped in as the “Strategic Sustainability Office” to turn complex international standards into a business management system that worked for CVS Studios. Our approach focused on three pillars:
1. Baseline, Gap Analysis & Strategic Mapping
We dissected the EIC audit workbook and conducted a deep-dive assessment of the firm’s existing operations.
By identifying exactly where documentation fell short, we mapped a precise strategic roadmap to Silver Certification.
2. Policy Development from Scratch
To address the absence of a dedicated sustainability department, YellowYellow developed over 14 comprehensive organizational policies tailored to the exhibition business model. These were not generic templates but CEO-approved operational standards, including:
3. Evidence Synthesis & Audit Guidance
YellowYellow synthesized fragmented data from warehouse practices to HR handbooks into a professional evidence package that spoke the auditor’s language. We translated the firm’s creative work into the technical metrics required for the Exhibition Services and All Supplier categories.
CVS Studios earned a Silver Level Certification, delivering value far beyond the badge:
While event organizers, venues, and suppliers are the primary participants, they are not the only stakeholders who benefit.
Other organizations that may benefit include:
These examples are not exhaustive. Any organisation involved in the planning, funding, or oversight of events can benefit from the transparency and credibility that certification provides.
Kaitlyn D’Lima holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science and Sustainability Management degree from the University of Toronto. She is also trained in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting.
She brings extensive experience in sustainability and business transformational projects. She is known for her ability to execute projects of any size with both urgency and accuracy. Kaitlyn has a natural talent for improving stakeholder engagement. She’s a real trailblazer when it comes to benchmarking and research.
Kaitlyn is a runner who participates in outdoor adventure races.
Arun B Pazhayannur holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is a Chartered Accountant. He also has an MBA from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. Along with his academic achievements, he has a thorough knowledge of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, which he incorporates into his consulting work.
Arun is well-known for his leadership abilities as well as his strong skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and operations management. He has been recognized for his ability to identify practical solutions and deliver value to clients ranging from banks to payment companies to software providers. Arun is also a past President of Toastmasters Club.
In his free time, Arun enjoys scuba diving.In his spare time, Arun likes to scuba dive.
Gregory Donovan is a Chartered Accountant. He is a Fundamentals of Sustainable Accounting (FSA) Credential Holder. He obtained an Honours in Business Adminstrations (HBA) from the Ivey Business School (Western University) and a Master or Laws (LLM) from the London School of Economics. Gregory is the CEO of Avondale Private Capital, a sustainable finance firm focused on energy transition finance and carbon markets. He has presented on these topics at conferences in Canada, the US and UK.
Greg participates in the occasional triathlon and loves to go skiing and sailing with his two young children.
Margaux Loptson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Pennsylvania State University. In addition, she holds several research certifications, including Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.
She has been an essential player in AI-powered teaching and learning projects as a User Experience (UX) lead. Margaux is known for applying her design thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills to make a positive impact. She is a native French speaker.
Margaux is a fitness enthusiast who can be found hiking around Central Park in NYC.
Ritika Jain holds a Masters in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from Lund University (Sweden) and a Bachelor of Technology from Indraprastha University (India). As a lifelong learner, she is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Toronto.
Ritika is a recycling and responsible supply chain specialist. Through her work, she collaborates with organizations to implement circular economy focused policies to ensure compliance with regulations.
Her proficiency in data analytics and with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) enable her to manage complex sustainability data. Ritika also volunteers with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, engaging with youth to drive positive change.
Ritika is a native Hindi speaker. She is a certified hiking leader who enjoys travelling.
Jonathan Spence holds an Honours Bachelor of Integrated Sciences (Earth and Environmental Sciences) from McMaster University and has his certification in Geographic Information Sciences from the ESRI Canada Center of Excellence at McMaster University. Jonathan worked as a research analyst in the environment and sustainability group for a TSX listed company.
He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta, where he is researching the development of carbon capture techniques and their applications to the mining industry. Jonathan is focused on helping companies to minimize their carbon footprint while supporting their economic growth.
Jonathan is an avid water polo player and coach. He plays for the local National Championship League team.
Gurnoor Gandhi holds an MBA from Ivey Business School (Western University) and a postgraduate diploma in Maritime Energy Management (Sweden). Gurnoor brings experience with sustainability frameworks including TCFD, GRI, and CDP and is pursuing FSA credential (SASB).
Gurnoor has global leadership experience in the shipping industry managing assets worth millions of dollars on the high seas and has led diverse teams worked in Monaco, Singapore, and India. Most recently, he led organizational development and client partnerships at CARD, a non-profit focused on rural development and renewable energy.
Gurnoor brings a blend of technical and leadership skills. He applied his knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting and carbon capture to support clients with niche energy transition projects. He is known for putting his problem-solving, stakeholder management, and project management skills to work to help firms expedite their ESG Journey.
Gurnoor is a certified BMW adventure motorcyclist who finds off-road rides rejuvenating for body and spirit. He enjoys hiking with his family.
Lisa Annabel Ellis holds an Honours Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Ivey Business School (Western University). She is a certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) with a Six Sigma Green Belt. Lisa is a Fundamentals of Sustainable Accounting (FSA) Level II Candidate. Applying her deep expertise in business and operational strategies, she has led award-winning transformational initiatives.
Drawing on her well-rounded science and finance expertise, she launched YellowYellow to help clients advance their sustainability practices. As an advocate of transparency and good governance, she partners with clients to understand their risks and opportunities to generate superior long-term value. Stakeholders across the value chain recognize the impact of this effort. She has been called upon to be a keynote speaker and lecturer.
Lisa is an advanced scuba diver who enjoys most water-related sports.
