The first speakers and key agenda topics have been announced for the 18th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI18), which will take place at the Royal Lancaster London on Tuesday, 24th February 2026.
The internationally renowned conference is where music, sport, and cultural events collectively tackle the topics that matter, from climate action and ecosystem restoration, to handling geopolitical pressures, misinformation, and culture wars.
Returning to GEI to explain what it’s like being a black belt in both green comms and putting words into action is Dale Vince OBE, founder of the world’s first green energy company, Ecotricity, and chair of the world’s greenest football club, Forest Green Rovers FC. Vince will be joined by Claire O’Neill, co-founder of their joint venture Grid Faeries, and CEO of AGF, to discuss removing diesel from events alongside many other pressing topics.
Continuing the energy theme and following AEG Europe’s recent announcement regarding their green energy agreement with Ecotricity to supply all their UK venues, GEI will showcase the Live Entertainment Energy Scheme (LEES), a partnership between Ecotricity, LIVE, AGF, and Music Venue Trust, which allows venues and all live sector buildings to access deep green energy at a fraction of the cost whilst simultaneously creating renewables.
Exploring how art can resonate beyond words, GEI18 hosts a discussion giving insight into TAKKUUK, an immersive installation and soundtrack that showcases indigenous life, culture, and climate change in the Arctic, created by BICEP and featuring indigenous artists. EarthSonic, In Place of War, Ninja Tune and the creators contribute to this impressive and moving session.
And the topic of AI and sustainability will make its way onto GEI’s agenda for the first time in 2026. Dr Teresa Moore, GEI co-founder and head of AGFe (A Greener Future Education), will join chair Adrian Bossey and researchers from the Association of Event Management Educators to discuss issues around the social, economic, and environmental impacts of AI on the events industry from a sustainability perspective.
Whilst the focus of GEI is on preventing harm and making the world a better place, adaptation to climate change and the shifting tides is essential. GEI18 will welcome climate change expert Professor Richard Betts MBE from the Met Office to examine the latest climate science, impact on events, and what degree of preparedness is needed. And Artur Mendes returns to provide insight into one of Europe’s most inspiring music events for biodiversity restoration and wider sustainability – Boom Festival in Portugal.
Virgo Sillamaa from European Music Exporters Exchange will share the research findings from the Better Live project, which looks into tour co-programming as a way to decrease carbon footprint mobility while creating smarter tours for artists. The research aims to better understand how culture and sustainability co-exist (or not) in policy across six European countries.
EarthPercent return as charity partners, with the ever star-studded and inspiring EarthPercent Hour the icing on the plant-based cake of the conference programme. This will be followed by the International AGF Awards 2026, sponsored by Skydiamond, in which we celebrate the greenest events and venues from across the globe.
The Quick-Fire Innovation Round, a firm favourite on the GEI programme, returns, giving a small selection of delegates the chance to pitch their innovative solution or product to future clients and peers. Applications close on 15th December. Apply here.
New for this year, GEI delegates can enjoy free access to London showcase festival Soho Calling on Wednesday, 25 February (the day after GEI) with a host of incredible artists performing at a plethora of great venues across central London. The event is organised by ILMC.
“It’s always very exciting to see the GEI programme gradually taking shape. We’re adding a new room this year, meaning more space for deep dives, as well as a host of new speakers, some previously untouched topics, plus Soho Calling! It’s an invigorating shake up for our 18th edition, and we look forward to sharing space with our fabulous delegates,” commented Claire O’Neill.
