CEMA Newsletter: July 2024

This month, we’re excited to highlight a CEMA member working hard on sustainability —specifically at the Workday Rising event. Missy Castro, Senior Experience Marketing Manager, has been with Workday for the past 7 years. She is new to CEMA and excited to attend her first Summit this year. We recently had the opportunity ask Missy a few questions regarding CEMA and Sustainability.

1. What do you like about the events Industry?
   I love that while global events feel so huge, it is really a small, tight-knit community. Events are challenging, and it takes a special personality to lean in and find the joy, fun, and purpose in planning them, further supporting the community aspect of this work.
   
   
2. How did you get involved in sustainability?
   I’ve always had a personal passion and curiosity in learning about the environment with documentaries, new gadgets, technology, etc. I was able to build on that during my time on the People and Purpose (our word for HR) team at Workday, leading our global Green Teams. Within that role, I was able to learn more about the true purpose in creating impact. For example, a single plastic straw CAN make a difference, how I shop for clothes can reduce waste, sharing what I learn with others can lead to positive change.
   
   When I joined the Experience Marketing team, leading sustainability was part of my role for Workday Rising, our annual customer conference. I was excited, but having a great mentor in a woman leader at George P. Johnson Agency (GPJ) especially fueled my passion. Her enthusiasm and knowledge really pushed me to do more, and to try new things. With her guidance and building off my passion and expertise, I see a lot of great opportunities in changing the narrative around sustainability and events – showing the positive impact we can make in the space.
   
   
3. How is Workday involved specifically in sustainability?
   We integrate sustainability into everything we do and measure our success not only in financial terms, but also in how we impact the world. We partner with other climate-focused leaders worldwide who believe it’s our collective responsibility to support a more sustainable future. Workday’s Chief Sustainability Officer leads our global corporate sustainability efforts, which includes our commitments to source 100% renewable electricity, achieve net-zero carbon emissions across our offices, data centers and public cloud, and business travel, and more. Workday also looks to fund projects that promote local workforce development, add health and well-being benefits for the local community, and works toward creating a just transition to a sustainable future. I saw an opportunity to build on what we were doing as a company, mapping our largest flagship event – Workday Rising – to those meaningful actions and initiatives.
   
   
4. What are you most looking forward to during the Workday Study Tour?
   To me sustainability is for all, and I see immense opportunity for the event industry to share our best practices, tips, and resources. Why can’t we partner with the company in the space before or after us to share furniture, plants, and resources? Why can’t we promote the vendors that support sustainable business practices? Why can’t we share menus across events at the same hotel? The only way we will be able to change the approach to event production is to help each other. Sustainability is not a trade secret – it is truly showcasing how we can sustain on the planet by supporting the environment, wellness, and the community.