Sips for Change

The US wastes roughly between 60-100 million tons of food every year while 47 million Americans face food insecurity. Event planners sit at the middle of that gap every single time a buffet gets broken down and the leftovers go in the trash. In this episode, Tammy sits down with Robert Lee, CEO of Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC), to break down how food rescue actually works, why the liability fear...

Glasgow isn't just talking about sustainable events — it's built the systems to actually deliver them. In this episode of Sips for Change, Tammy and Martine explore why Glasgow has climbed to 5th place in the GDS Index for sustainable business events, and what that ranking really means for event planners on the ground.   SOURCES https://www.gds.earth/destination/glasgow/2025/ https://www.visitglas...

Aalborg, Denmark might not be the first city that comes to mind for your next conference or association event — but maybe that's exactly why it should be. In this episode of Sips for Change, Tammy and Martine head to Northern Jutland to explore Aalborg as a meetings destination through the lens of the GDS Index. From its compact, walkable city centre to its impressive social sustainability credent...

In this episode, Tammy sits down with Renee Rubens of Symphony of Tea Leaves to uncover why tea is quietly becoming one of the most powerful tools for conscious living.  From farm to cup, we explore how this simple beverage can support the planet, uplift communities, and create beautiful alcohol-free connections. Renee also shares her personal journey and practical wisdom as we dive into some ques...

We’re back with the final part of our mini-series on Sustainable Consumerism! Join us as we explore some of the most important sustainability certifications and ecolabels across the Asia-Pacific region. From China and Japan to Taiwan and India, we break down how these certifications help consumers and event planners identify products and services that are actually doing better for people and the p...

In the final episode (Part 3) of our Traveler's Wellness series, Edyta Satchell, founder of Finelle®, guides us through the powerful "after" phase—turning post-travel fatigue, jet lag, and re-entry chaos into opportunities for reflection, recovery, and sustained growth.   She shares powerful ways to process the full travel experience using insights from Beauty and the Travel Beast, so you can reve...

Ever stared at a product wondering if "eco-friendly" actually means anything?  In this episode of Sips for Change, Tammy and Martine break down the eco-labels and certifications shaping how we shop, build, and source across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa — from the EU Organic Logo and EU Ecolabel, to the Nordic Swan, Abu Dhabi's Estidama Pearl Rating, and Africa's own homegrown standards. No...

Welcome back to the second part of our Mini-Series focused on traveler's wellness with Edyta Satchell, founder of Finelle®. In this episode, we'll talk through: - Tips and strategies to keep your mind, body, and energy thriving while you're on the go - Mindful eating methods to optimize health and wellness Whether you're a frequent business traveler or an avid vacationer, these practical strategie...

We're back with the next part of our mini-series on Sustainable Consumerism! Join us as we dive into some sustainable certifications in South America.  We explore why intentional buying is rising across cities like São Paulo, Mexico City, Bogotá, and Buenos Aires, even amid economic pressures, and how robust certifications bridge the gap between "wanting to do better" and actually making an impact...

In this special feature of Sips for Change, we sit down with Kathy Kaden, Senior Manager of Global Travel, Meetings & Events at Okta, to explore how their company and events team is prioritizing sustainability. Kathy will shine a spotlight on the following: The inspiration behind implementing sustainability strategies and how they tie into Okta's company-wide environmental goals Specific susta...

Is your event ready for the next heatwave, storm, or wildfire season—or are you still relying on “hope the forecast holds”?  In this episode of Sips for Change, we break down how to climate‑proof your events with practical, realistic strategies you can start using on your next project. You’ll learn how to: - Assess venue risk for rising heat, flooding, storms, and wildfire smoke Build flexible con...

Welcome to our new three part Mini-Series focused on traveler's wellness with Edyta Satchell, founder of Finelle®. In this first episode, we explore how intentional preparation can transform your travel experience from stressful to blissful—from an attendee's perspective, as well as from a business perspective. We'll talk through some of Edyta's essential tips and mindsets around: - Building inclu...

Discover why Copenhagen is ranked as the world's third most sustainable destination and the ultimate city for hosting impactful events! 🌍✨ In this episode of our GDS Destinations Series, we explore Copenhagen's groundbreaking "All Inclusive" strategy that's transforming how events create positive change. From being the first DMO to receive Green Tourism Organization certification to their innova...

Ready to plan a corporate event that's unforgettable AND sustainable? 🌱✨ In this episode, we share bold, experience-first event themes and creative activations that prove sustainability can be luxurious, fun, and memorable—not boring! Perfect for event planners in BOTH hemispheres: whether you're planning December holiday parties or getting ahead for summer 2026 celebrations. 🎬 WHAT YOU'LL DISC...

We're back with the next part of our mini-series on Sustainable Consumerism! Join us as we dive into some of North America's sustainable certifications. From ethical business practices to organic food standards, discover how these labels empower smarter, greener choices for consumers and event planners alike. What You'll Learn: The origins, criteria, and pros/cons of Green America's Green Business...

Welcome to back to our GDS Index Series!  In this episode we dive into why Gothenburg, Sweden, is a global leader in sustainable events!  From 88% sustainability-certified hotels to a 95% renewable-energy public transport system, Gothenburg is revolutionizing eco-friendly event planning.  We explore their game-changing Emissions-Free Events Project, innovative social sustainability efforts like th...

Discover One of France’s Most Sustainable Event Venues – Le Grand Pavillon Chantilly ✨ Planning an unforgettable event that’s kind to the planet AND people? In this episode of Sips for Change, we take you inside Le Grand Pavillon Chantilly, a historic 18th-century hamlet turned eco-luxury venue, just 45 minutes from Paris! From Green Key–certified sustainability to farm-to-table gourmet dining, a...

We're back with the next part of our mini-series on Sustainable Consumerism! In this episode, we dive back into some other globally recognized certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Rainforest Alliance, and Cradle to Cradle (C2C)—your guide to eco-friendly and ethical products. What You'll Learn: - How GOTS regulates organic textiles from farm to label, ensuring ethical and eco-fr...

Join us in kicking off our new six-part mini-series as we dive into eco-labels like Fair Trade and B Corp. Discover what these certifications mean for your vendors as well as your everyday purchases—coffee, clothes, chocolate—and how they ensure sustainable practices.  This episode will be part one of two, diving into some of the commonly recognized global certifications, before we dive into the r...

Welcome to the first episode of our new series! Today we're starting with a deep dive into one of the most powerful — and surprisingly under-the-radar — tools for sustainable event planners: the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). In this episode, we uncover what the GDS-Index is, why it’s a game-changer for finding sustainable destinations, and how it ranks cities across 77 crite...

Join us as we unpack the recent changes in various regional governance policies around the world that's revolutionizing sustainable event planning!  From the EU’s Green Claims Directive to California’s climate disclosure laws and Singapore’s MICE Sustainability Roadmap, discover how to navigate these regulations and make your events greener.  Packed with practical tips—like waste audits and digita...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the powerful role of multilingualism in event planning and how it can make or break the guest experience—especially in today’s global landscape. What You’ll Learn:  ✔ Why language inclusion is non-negotiable for engaging diverse audiences  ✔ How building a multicultural team improves communication and reduces cultural missteps  ✔ Actionable tips for integrat...

Welcome to the final installment of our 4-part series on mental health and social sustainability in the event industry. In this second part of the conversation, Tammy is rejoined by Janice Cardinale, a seasoned professional in the events industry and a leading voice on mental health and psychological safety.  Together they get even more honest about the systemic challenges impacting mental health...

Welcome to the third installment of our 4-part series on mental health and social sustainability in the event industry. In this powerful two-episode conversation, host Tammy sits down with the insightful Janice Cardinale, a seasoned professional in the events industry and a leading voice on mental health and psychological safety. Together, they unpack one of the most overlooked elements of sustain...

Welcome to the second episode of our 4-part series on mental health and social sustainability in the event industry. Let’s be honest — event planning can be exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting. In this episode of 𝘚𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦, we’re getting real about burnout: what causes it, how to spot it early, and what actually works when it comes to protecting your well-being in a high-stress, high...