GISE 2024: When interventional cardiology meets sustainability
The 45th GISE National Congress, a flagship event in interventional cardiology at both national and international levels, marked a milestone for the meeting industry. Thanks to the joint effort of Fondazione GISE, OIC Group, and Up2You, the congress was certified Carbon Neutral an achievement that shows how sustainability can be fully integrated into medical-scientific events without compromising scientific or organisational excellence.
Sustainability and medical-scientific events, a new paradigm
The events industry is undergoing a profound transformation, with ESG practices (Environmental, Social, Governance) becoming central to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sector. This reflects a growing awareness of the environmental, social, and governance impact events have.
In the medical-scientific context, sustainability carries even more weight: congresses are not only opportunities for professional development but also vital hubs for connecting experts, researchers, and healthcare companies—where environmental and social responsibility should be an integral part of the experience.
Integrating ESG strategies into medical congresses means rethinking every detail through a more responsible lens. Reducing CO₂ emissions is just the first step. True sustainability also means optimising resources, selecting certified partners, and delivering a seamless, digitally enhanced experience for participants, improving both efficiency and accessibility. This transformation brings tangible value to everyone involved. A sustainably designed event is more inclusive, more efficient, and leaves a lasting positive impact enhancing the reputation of the host organisation and setting a standard for others to follow.
The GISE 2024 Congress represented a turning point in the journey toward sustainability in medical-scientific events. It proved that congress management can evolve into a more responsible, environmentally conscious model. Minimising environmental impact is no longer just an ethical choice, it’s a strategic necessity in response to growing public awareness.
Today, sponsors and stakeholders no longer look solely at scientific excellence. They also evaluate the added value of sustainability. Participants, too, expect events that are mindful of their footprint with smarter resource use, reduced waste, and innovative solutions that ensure a more sustainable, inclusive experience. Embracing these principles strengthens an event’s reputation and helps build a better future for the entire industry.
How a congress goes carbon neutral
Reducing a congress’s environmental impact means integrating concrete strategies to make every aspect of the event more sustainable. Over the course of four days, GISE 2024 implemented targeted actions that limited CO₂ emissions to 201,945 kg, equivalent to the annual absorption capacity of around 9,000 trees.
Key actions included:
- Working with certified partners such as OIC Group (as Professional Congress Organizer) and MiCo Milano (the venue), both certified under ISO 20121 for sustainable event management.
- Using only renewable energy, cutting emissions from the venue’s energy use.
- Encouraging sustainable mobility, promoting public transport, eco-friendly shuttles, and low-impact travel options for attendees.
- Optimising resources and cutting waste, using recyclable materials, eliminating single-use plastics, and going digital for most content to reduce paper usage.
Some residual emissions were unavoidable. These were offset through internationally certified environmental projects in Turkey, Brazil, China, and Pakistan—supporting reforestation and sustainable development.
OIC Group and the future of sustainable events
Our commitment to sustainability didn’t end with GISE 2024 it’s part of an ongoing transformation. This event was a game-changer for the Italian meeting industry, showing that Carbon Neutral congresses are not only possible, they’re already a reality.
Being sustainable means rethinking how medical-scientific events are organised. At OIC Group, we are raising the bar redefining our standards and integrating new solutions to create congress experiences that are both memorable and genuinely sustainable.
This vision also highlights the value that sustainability brings to scientific societies, healthcare companies, and all industry stakeholders. An event designed with ESG principles attracts a more conscious audience and leaves a positive legacy within the scientific community and beyond.
Looking ahead, our goal is to go even further, implementing more innovations to make each congress increasingly sustainable and accessible. Every event is an opportunity to push boundaries and prove that science and sustainability can move forward together, creating a virtuous model for the entire medical-scientific event industry.