Louisa Watson, beam’s ESG Director, on why industry professionals should be more forthright when talking about environmental, social, and governance initiatives.
There was a time when talking about sustainability was relatively straightforward. Organisations proudly shared their progress, from switching to LED lighting and reducing single-use plastics to introducing recycling initiatives. Today, something has changed.
Many organisations are making significant progress on ESG yet are increasingly reluctant to talk about it. Not because they aren’t doing enough, but because they fear saying the wrong thing or being accused of greenwashing. I often hear:
“We’ll talk about it once we’ve got it all figured out.”
But ESG isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every organisation is at a different stage, shaped by its size, resources, customers, and priorities. Waiting until everything’s perfect risks overlooking one of ESG’s most important principles: transparency. Being open doesn’t mean claiming to have all the answers. It means being honest about what you’ve achieved and where you’re still learning.
The business events industry has come a long way. ESG now extends far beyond carbon emissions and recycling. Clients and stakeholders are asking about social value, governance, supply chain transparency, employee wellbeing, and ethical business practices. This growing complexity can feel daunting, leaving organisations unsure where to begin or whether they’re doing enough. But progress doesn’t require perfection. It requires commitment, honesty, and a willingness to improve.
That thinking is at the heart of this year’s beam and MIA ESG Summit. Using a practical basic, better, best framework, the day will help businesses understand where they are now and identify their next step. Delegates will explore changing legislation, social value, governance, supply chains, and measuring impact, with advice suited to organisations at every stage.
Perhaps we should stop asking whether we’re ‘good enough’ to discuss ESG and ask instead: are we making progress?
If the answer is yes that’s a story worth sharing. Join us on 14th September at BMA House, London, and leave with new ideas, practical actions, and greater confidence to share your progress.