The COVID-19 pandemic brought pharmaceutical events to a near standstill. Since that time, restrictions have been lifted, and the industry has seen a powerful resurgence in pharmaceutical events. In recent years, the number of pharmaceutical meetings and events in the U.S. has grown significantly, fueled by renewed demand for in-person engagement, scientific exchange, and product launches across healthcare and biotech sectors. In 2022 alone, pharmaceutical and medical device companies planned more than 1.15 million events, per a PubMed Central study via Open Payments. These events include everything from investigator meetings and product launches to advisory boards and national field meetings.
As pharmaceutical events return in full force, stakeholders now expect these gatherings to reflect their values, including their commitment to sustainability. This shift isn’t a passing trend; it’s a critical pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially within highly regulated industries like healthcare and biotech.
For pharmaceutical event planners, this means more than just checking a box. Pharmaceutical event management entails navigating heightened expectations while balancing compliance, stakeholder engagement, and environmental responsibility. The job has become more complex and demanding, requiring planners to integrate sustainable practices into every stage of pharmaceutical event management, from venue selection to waste reduction, all while delivering flawless, high-impact experiences.
Why Sustainability Matters in Pharmaceutical Events
Pharmaceutical events are inherently complex. Event managers are well versed in meeting the differing expectations of a multitude of stakeholders, including sponsors and attendees. But pharmaceutical event management is trickier. These healthcare events require tracking engagement with HCPs, abiding by rules dictating what they can and can’t accept while attending such events, and even adhering to strict rules on event entertainment. Pharmaceutical events also have diverse purposes, like launching new products, clinical-trial investigator meetings, national field meetings, and KOL and other advisory meetings, which each have different logistics and agendas.
Despite a wide array of stakeholders and meeting types, embracing sustainable best practices is important when it comes to pharmaceutical event management. Attendees want gatherings to reduce water and energy consumption, minimize waste through recycling and composting, source goods and services through vendors/contractors who embrace sustainability, and eliminate single-use materials as much as possible.
Global and national regulations reinforce this shift. The World Health Organization's Greener Pharmaceuticals Initiative urges healthcare companies to prioritize sustainability. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enforces laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Clean Water Act, which address waste and water management—key pillars of sustainable events. Groups like the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) also provide guidelines for sustainable best practices across supply chains and facilities.
On a more intangible level, sustainability enhances brand reputation and attendee engagement. When events visibly commit to eco-conscious practices, they build trust and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
Key Strategies for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Event Planning
Successfully creating a sustainability plan requires a comprehensive, end-to-end approach. Any weak link will break the chain and create stakeholder discontent.
1. Venue Selection and Carbon Footprint Reduction
Start sustainability planning during venue selection. Opt for LEED-certified venues, which are designated by the U.S. Green Building Council for meeting rigorous standards for energy efficiency, land conservation, and green sourcing. These venues offer four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Selecting a venue with the LEED seal of approval represents a significant step in demonstrating to HCPs, vendors, sponsors, and others a commitment to a sustainable event.
Beyond LEED designation, pharmaceutical event planners should also ensure your selected venue has the same sustainability goals as your client. Work with the venue to reinforce your sustainability efforts by creating strategies that reduce single-use plastic and encourage compostable alternatives. Carefully select caterers (especially those who source locally produced, organic, and plant-based menu options), suppliers, and other vendors with green products, processes, and services to support your sustainability efforts.
At Bishop-McCann, we start integrating sustainability early in the process when we are in the contracting phase, then begin more detailed strategy calls with the hotel at least six months prior to the event. Our teams ask targeted questions about reporting, food donation policies, and waste diversion capabilities. We’ve found that the earlier we collaborate with hotel teams, the more flexibility we have to implement meaningful change, meet all deadlines, receive data access, and (when needed) pay additional fees to reduce our carbon footprint.
2. Eco-Friendly Event Materials and Waste Reduction
Printed materials often challenge sustainability efforts. We work with client teams to encourage digital platforms for training and communication. To further reduce waste, we replaced printed signage with digital screens and printed programs with event apps like Whova, Eventify, or Cvent.
Swag remains important in pharma events, but we recommend sustainable options like reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, or purpose-driven giveaways like charitable donations or personalized kits. These are powerful because they won’t go to waste but will still make an impression. We also partner with TerraCycle to recycle name badges, lanyards, and other single-use items.
3. Sustainable Travel and Transportation for Attendees
How your stakeholders arrive is another key consideration for a sustainability plan. Encourage guests to reduce their travel footprint by promoting ridesharing or public transportation. Enrolling in a carbon-offset program can further reduce your function’s footprint.
4. Ethical Sourcing for Catering and Hospitality
Carefully select caterers (especially those who source locally produced, organic, and plant-based menu options), suppliers, and other vendors with green products, processes, and services to support your sustainability efforts. This includes asking venues to avoid single-use plastics and provide compostable or reusable alternatives.
To reduce food waste, we work directly with banquet teams to limit unnecessary refills—especially on items like pastries and fruit that can’t be donated once displayed. Strategic buffet management helps reduce waste without compromising guest experience.
5. Measuring Sustainability Efforts and ROI
There’s gold – and green – in embracing sustainability. According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, 77% of consumers are more likely to support environmentally conscious companies. Demonstrate this sustainability mindset to stakeholders by using a carbon-footprint calculator to show how your efforts are making your event greener.
Bishop-McCann also uses technology to back up sustainability with data. In 2025, we began using Trace by Isla, which is software that tracks energy use, waste output, and travel-related carbon impact.
For example, at a recent national meeting for a global pharmaceutical client, our sustainability reporting showed that:
- 60% of event waste was diverted from the landfill (equal to 63,035 pounds!)
- 3,758 pounds of food waste and green waste were composted
- 540 pounds of food were recovered and donated to the local Salvation Army
These numbers not only help our clients meet CSR goals; they also tell a compelling sustainability story to share with stakeholders.
How Bishop-McCann Can Help
Since 1997, Bishop-McCann has led the way in pharmaceutical event management. We understand the strict compliance requirements and evolving expectations around sustainability. Our full-service event solutions blend creativity, logistics expertise, and eco-conscious strategy.
One example: our team executed a seamless presidents’ club incentive trip for a leading pharmaceutical client at the Four Seasons Lanai in Hawaii during shifting COVID-19 protocols.
Another highlight: a 2024 national meeting for another major pharma client, where we partnered with Wynn Las Vegas to implement an integrated sustainability plan that included everything from eco-conscious catering to landfill diversion strategies.
We bring this same level of care to every event, helping pharma clients deliver experiences that honor both compliance standards and stakeholder values.
Create Events That Matter
Sustainable pharmaceutical event management doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By choosing the right venue, working with green vendors, measuring your impact, and showcasing your results, you can meet compliance goals while demonstrating your commitment to the planet.
Need help planning your next eco-friendly event? Connect with Bishop-McCann to make your pharmaceutical event both impactful and sustainable.
