The Sustainable Event Summit (SES) returns to the Showman’s Show with a dynamic program centered on shaping the industry’s climate plan, showcasing this summer’s innovations at events and taking practical action, Wednesday 21st October, 2026. View the full program and register 

Fast-paced advances in many areas of technology and environmental protocols, incorporated into the Show Must Go On Report #3 and pivotal in the Climate Transition Plan 2030 for the UK live events industry, will drive conversations around sustainability at outdoor events, which have expanded to government level, signalling that SES26 will be a significant gathering of event professionals.

Vision for Sustainable Events Chair, Chris Johnson says: “This Summit is an important milestone in the progress of the Climate Transition Plan 2030 (CTP),  bringing industry leaders, experts, event organisers, local authorities and suppliers together to shape climate action, share best practice and innovation, and drive new industry standards endorsed by government.”

SES26 will be found at a new location, sharing with, and supported, by Cover Marque and Roder on stand 162 on avenue G. The Showman’s Show continues to be a lead supporter, with SES 26 presented in association with Ticket Tailor and Festival Republic along with headline sponsors LS Event and Instagrid, have contributed to this free-to-attend event being viable. 

Invited guests will join an interactive morning session of roundtables exploring the green successes and challenges from the summer season, and what support events need to deliver the actions set out in the Climate Transition Plan 2030. (Exclusive to Vision 2030 Pledge events, AIF Step Change participants, SES speakers, sponsors and partners).Morning guests enjoy  a networking lunch before doors are opened for the free-to-access, open-to-all, afternoon program. 

The afternoon program begins with a keynote introduction from Feimatta Conteh, Senior Manager for Environmental Responsibility at Arts Council England, to set the context of how the transformative power of music can drive environmental action and inspire systemic change.

The opening panel: ‘Climate Transition Plan 2030: Making it real,’ led by Ross Patel (LIVE Green Impact Consultant), brings together the experts who are leading key workstreams and ‘task forces’ to provide an update on the groundbreaking work taking place across the sector with guests Sally Mills (Energy Task Force), Richard Phillip (Julie’s Bicycle and lead on the Green Events Code of Practice), Bethan Riach (Vision 2030 Festival Pledge lead) and Livvy Drake, (onboard:earth’s Project Director and lead of the Travel Task Force).

Vision for Sustainable Events’ focus on event energy for next season will be introduced by Event and Touring Sustainability Consultant, Pauline Bourdon, who is leading the production of an updated Smart Power Guide. This spotlight on energy runs through the next two panels, showcasing new initiatives in practice at 2026 events followed by a session with the power suppliers whose new products and services are supporting this shift:  

The ‘Decarbonising Event Power by 2030’ panel  hosted by SES media partner Access all Areas’ editor, Chris Barrett, features guests Stephan Edwards (Bristol Mobile Power Project), Andy Barnby (Instagrid), Mazie Reece (Boomtown Fair) who  share advances in ‘Event Energy’ in action this season. 

Media Partner Festival Insights’ Digital Content Manager, James Robertson will host a new SES feature: Quickfire innovation sessions, which introduces Energy Innovations from Geo Pura, Power Logistics, 4Wall and Sunbelt.

Acknowledging the extreme weather outdoor events experienced this year, with heatwaves and storms becoming the norm, the ‘Adapting to a Changing Climate’ panel brings together event organisers and sustainability experts to explore practical climate adaptation strategies. Panelists include Andrew Lansley (Event Sustainability & Accessibility Consultant) and Suzanne Johnson (Senior Site Manager at LS Events) with more guests to be confirmed. 

‘The Best of the Summer Panel’ returns with green success stories from 2026. John Rostron, CEO of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), hosts UK outdoor festival organisers who have led the charge across the 2026 season, including; Bryonie Matthews, Sustainability Coordinator at Shambala Festival & Kendal Calling, Rowan Cannon, Artistic Director & CEO, Wild Rumpus and Emma Beat, Director of The Beat Goes On Festival The Showman’s Show presents the annualGreen Supplier Awards, showcasing innovative products and services on offer from suppliers exhibiting at the Showman’s Show, with live judging from Vision judges and Summit delegates. 

View the full program and register for free afternoon tickets (available on a first-come first-serve basis HERE. 

Event organisers who would like to work towards the environmental actions set out in the Vision 2030 Climate Action Pledge and join the morning session can take the Vision 2030 Climate Action pledge HERE.