The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES), together with fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft, has opened registrations for the next iteration of its ISO 20121 Convoy Training Programme, continuing a proven, industry-led approach to sustainable management in the exhibition and events sector.
Now firmly established as a practical route to ISO 20121 implementation, the Convoy programme is designed specifically for exhibition and event service providers seeking to embed sustainability into their operations in a structured, achievable way. Rather than one-off training, the year-long programme guides participating companies step by step through the ISO 20121 standard, combining expert-led workshops, ready-to-use templates, peer exchange and ongoing support.
Building on this success, the ISO 20121 Convoy training programme is now being opened internationally to English-speaking partner associations of IFES and fwd:. The initiative is aimed at industry associations that want to offer their own members practical sustainability training with clear, measurable added value, enabling them to support companies not only in understanding ISO 20121, but in actively implementing it within their organisations.
To date, 50 companies from across the industry have completed the programme, including small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger organisations. The Convoy model has been developed to reflect the operational realities of the sector, allowing participants to make measurable progress without disrupting day-to-day business. By moving through the process together, companies benefit from shared learning, accountability and a deeper understanding of how sustainability can be integrated into commercial decision-making.
The programme is jointly led by Dominique Bohler, IFES Manager Sustainability Projects, and Marko Roscher, Sustainability Officer at fwd:, both accredited ISO 20121 auditors with extensive experience in the exhibition and events industry. Their combined expertise ensures the training remains both technically robust and firmly grounded in industry practice.
The next English-language ISO 20121 Convoy (Convoy 6) will kick off on 13 April 2026, with registrations closing on 1 April 2026. A German-language Convoy (Convoy 7) will follow, starting on 9 September 2026, with a registration deadline of 19 August 2026. Each Convoy runs over a twelve-month period and is structured to support continuous progress towards ISO 20121 implementation.
Alongside the training programme, IFES and fwd: have also released the Quick Guide ISO 20121 – Sustainability Management in the Event Industry, now available in German via the Springer Store, with an English edition planned. The guide offers a concise, industry-specific reference for companies looking to better understand the requirements of the standard and how to apply them in practice.
As sustainability expectations continue to rise from clients, organisers and venues, the ISO 20121 Convoy Training Programme provides exhibition and event companies with a credible, collaborative and business-relevant pathway to long-term improvement — and a clear framework for demonstrating commitment to sustainable management.
More information and registration details are available at https://www.ifesnet.com/sustainability/iso-20121-training/
