Summary: IFES and fwd: have opened international registrations for the ISO 20121 Convoy training, a year-long programme that combines workshops, templates and peer support. Convoy 6 (English) starts 13 April 2026; Convoy 7 (German) begins 9 September 2026. Fifty companies have completed the programme to date.

The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES), together with fwd: Bundesvereinigung Veranstaltungswirtschaft, has opened registrations for the next ISO 20121 Convoy training and is extending the model to English-speaking partner associations. The ISO 20121 Convoy training is a year-long pathway designed to help exhibition and event service providers adopt the ISO 20121 sustainability management standard in a practical, operational way.

Programme structure and aims

The Convoy format runs over twelve months and blends expert-led workshops, ready-to-use templates, peer exchanges and ongoing support to guide companies from understanding ISO 20121 to applying it within daily operations. The curriculum has been tailored to fit operational realities so firms can progress without disrupting core business.

IFES and fwd: describe the programme as industry-led and focused on measurable outcomes. Participants advance collectively, using structured accountability and shared learning to maintain momentum toward implementation.

Leadership and past participation

The Convoy is jointly overseen by Dominique Bohler, IFES Manager Sustainability Projects, and Marko Roscher, Sustainability Officer at fwd:, who are both accredited ISO 20121 auditors with sector-specific experience. To date, 50 companies across the exhibition and events sector — ranging from SMEs to larger organisations — have completed the programme.

Upcoming Convoy dates and registration

  • Convoy 6 (English): starts 13 April 2026 — registration closes 1 April 2026
  • Convoy 7 (German): starts 9 September 2026 — registration closes 19 August 2026
  • Each Convoy runs for 12 months and supports continuous implementation progress
Event professionals participating in a sustainability workshop for ISO 20121 Convoy training
Participants work through practical sustainability exercises as part of the Convoy training programme

Resources and guidance

Alongside the Convoy rollout, IFES and fwd: have published the Quick Guide ISO 20121 – Sustainability Management in the Event Industry. The guide is currently available in German via the Springer Store, with an English edition planned.

Why the Convoy matters for the events sector

The Convoy provides a structured, sector-specific route for companies to formalise sustainability management in response to growing expectations from clients, organisers and venues. By focusing on practical application, the programme helps businesses show compliance and improve operational sustainability performance.

Opening the Convoy model to international partner associations aims to widen access to standardised training and create more consistent industry practice across markets.

For event suppliers and organisers considering ISO 20121, the Convoy offers a pragmatic route to implementation backed by sector specialists and peer support. Organisations interested in registering can contact IFES and fwd: for details ahead of the stated deadlines.

Note: The Convoy's expansion to English-speaking associations aims to enable broader uptake of ISO 20121 across the global exhibition and events supply chain.

Why this matters: As sustainability becomes a decisive factor for clients and venues, structured training like the ISO 20121 Convoy helps event companies demonstrate credible management systems, reduce environmental and social risk, and meet contracting requirements — ultimately supporting resilience and competitiveness in the MICE sector.