Sustainability took center stage at Javits Center during Climate Week NYC, which was held Sept. 22-29. Climate Week NYC takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York.

Launched in 2019 as part of Climate Week NYC, the Nest Climate Campus returned Sept. 24-26 to Javits and featured a one-day Sustainable Events Summit (SES), an invitation-only think-tank style meeting produced by MAD Event Management that was launched to help event organizers and suppliers to achieve net zero by 2050.

In an exclusive interview, we sat down with MAD Event Management Founder and President Martha Donato to discuss the event's transformation in its second year and her key takeaways for event industry professionals eyeing sustainability.

Here are seven highlights from our conversation. Watch or listen to the full interview here.

Origin Story and Growth

Held Sept. 24, SES originated last year in collaboration with the Nest Climate Campus, UFI, and the Joint Meeting Industry Council (JMIC), which hosts and supports the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge. Looking to lower carbon emissions and drive sustainable practices, the alliance focused on discussion and shared knowledge. Attendance grew from 40 in 2023 to 68 participants in 2024. To date, more than 500 signatories have committed to support the goal of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

Bridging Sectors

Donato explained that the summit fostered cross-sector collaboration—from show organizers and general contractors to A/V companies and venue operators. This approach factored in diversification of perspectives and encouraged detailed analysis within each sector. Discussing solutions for carbon footprint reduction was central to these conversations.

Fostering Discussions

A notable session, led by Susan Austin, principal for American Express Global Business Travel, explored how aligning business travel with large-scale events could maximize efficiency and reduce individual carbon footprints. This idea invigorated the understanding of sustainable practices associated with travel, a fundamental component for the events industry.

Noteworthy Recognition

A highlight of the summit was the introduction of the Zero Award, recognizing individuals making significant strides in sustainability. The inaugural honor was bestowed upon Alan Steel, Javits Center president and CEO, for leading sustainability initiatives at the building since 2012. The depiction of his efforts—from the building’s rooftop orchard and greenhouse to its goal of reaching a waste diversion rate of 80% by 2025--underlined the profound impact leadership can have on sustainability goals. Javits has signed the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge.

The rest of Nest

Registration for SES also included free attendance to the varied experiences at the Nest Climate Campus, including 23 co-hosted events. From the Emmy award-winning public TV program, Bill Nye the Science Guy took the stage, along with other prominent figures. Participation by Ecomundo, a green technology expo produced by the Italian Exhibition Group, showcased innovation in the Sustainable Italy space at the Nest Climate Campus, according to a LinkedIn post.

Challenges and Opportunities

Looking towards future versions of the summit, Donato outlined significant lessons. Primarily, the logistical challenges of hosting an event amidst New York's bustling U.N. General Assembly were apparent with increased traffic and security in the city, as well as higher than average hotel room rates. However, these hurdles are juxtaposed with opportunities to engage with a broader audience invested in sustainability.

What’s Next

No dates are currently published on the Nest Climate Campus website or Javits calendar for 2025 yet. We reached out to both organizations, and Javits said Nest Climate Campus traditionally occurs during Climate Week NYC. Want to learn more about Net Zero Carbon Events? Check out A Net Zero Roadmap for the Events Industry here.