Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, has joined the GDS-Index Lite programme, run by GDS-Movement,
to strengthen its sustainability credentials and attract more international
meetings and events.
The GDS-Index Lite programme is designed to help
destinations at the beginning of their sustainability journey measure their
current performance, identify priority areas for improvement and build a
roadmap towards internationally recognised sustainability standards.
GDS-Index Lite serves as an entry point to the wider
GDS-Index, an events industry benchmarking programmes, which measures
destinations' environmental, social, economic and destination management
performance using internationally recognised criteria.
The announcement builds on an existing partnership between
the Guadalajara Visitors and Convention Bureau and GDS-Movement, which
previously worked together on the sustainability and legacy strategy for Intermoda,
Latin America's largest fashion business exhibition. The project focused on
addressing environmental and social challenges while introducing initiatives
aligned with international sustainability standards to create measurable
benefits for both the event and the local community.
Guy Bigwood, CEO of GDS-Movement, said: "We are
delighted to welcome Guadalajara to GDS-Index Lite. With it, Guadalajara has
demonstrated a clear vision and a firm commitment to transforming its tourism
and meetings industry towards a more responsible, resilient, and people-centred
model."
He added: "Our previous experience collaborating on the
Intermoda project allowed us to see Guadalajara's ability to drive innovative
initiatives and mobilise local interested parties around common goals
firsthand. We are convinced that this is just the beginning of a path with a
significant impact for the destination and potentially the region."
Gustavo Staufert Buclón, general director of the Guadalajara
Visitors and Convention Bureau, said: "Guadalajara's inclusion in
GDS-Index Lite reaffirms our vision of consolidating our position as a leading
destination for international meetings and events tourism in Latin America.
This alliance will allow us to continue raising our sustainability standards,
generate a positive impact on our community, and strengthen our global
competitiveness."
He added: "Guadalajara has the talent, infrastructure,
and innovation capacity necessary to lead a new generation of MICE destinations
committed to more sustainable development and more responsible environmental,
social and economic heritage."
The programme uses a streamlined version of the GDS-Index
assessment to help destinations benchmark their sustainability performance
before progressing to the full GDS-Index programme.
Why did Guadalajara decide to join GDS-Index Lite now?
GCVB As a member of the
BestCities Global Alliance, Guadalajara is committed to excellence,
sustainability and international standards that measure impact and improve
destination performance. Building on successful initiatives with Enlace
Ambiental, Intermoda—the first fashion industry event in Mexico to join the
GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT—and Expo Guadalajara, the destination recognised
the need for an international framework to connect, measure and accelerate
these efforts. GDS-Index Lite provides that framework, strengthening
collaboration across the meetings tourism value chain, identifying
opportunities for continuous improvement and supporting Guadalajara’s ambition
to become a more sustainable meetings destination in Latin America.
What
were the biggest sustainability challenges or gaps identified before
Guadalajara joined the programme?
The next
step in our sustainability journey was to connect these efforts through a
shared destination-wide strategy. GDS-Index Lite provided the framework to
strengthen collaboration across the tourism value chain, improve performance
measurement and align stakeholders around common sustainability goals. Building
on the strong foundations already in place, the programme supports
Guadalajara’s long-term vision of becoming an even more competitive,
collaborative and sustainable meetings destination.
Can you
share any tangible outcomes from the Intermoda sustainability project?
GDSM: GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT
collaborated to develop the Sustainability and Legacy project for Intermoda
over three years, with the leadership and support of GVCB.
Some
results of Intermoda July 2025:
- Emissions reduction: More than 2
tonnes of COƀ associated with waste were reduced, equivalent to 6.5% less compared to
2024, marking a milestone for an event with 20,000 participants.
- Local supply: 82% of the food and
beverages were locally sourced, strengthening the region's economy and reducing
the event's environmental footprint.
- Conscious consumption: 67% of the portions
served were vegetarian or vegan, reflecting a growing interest among
participants in healthy, low-emission foods.
- Exhibitors: More than 30% of
exhibitors already have sustainable practices in place.
*Some answers edited for brevity.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
