Making History: Go Sustainable Becomes First MICE Campaign to Win Rail Tourism Awards
When we heard that Go Sustainable had won Best International Campaign at the Rail Tourism Awards 2025, we felt pride of course, but also a deeper validation. Proof that this work isn’t just idealistic; it’s essential.
For a MICE initiative to be recognised at this level means a lot. Business travel is a major contributor to emissions, yet it’s often overlooked when organisations plan events. Go Sustainable challenged that assumption, to show what’s possible when you design programmes around connection, culture and low-impact travel. To prove that choosing rail doesn’t mean compromising, it means enhancing.
This award isn’t really about us. It’s for every organisation wondering if they can make the shift. Every event planner who’s been told “sustainability is too complicated.” Every team that assumes rail is impractical. This recognition says: you can do this. Others are doing this. And it works.
As the judges put it: “Go Sustainable sets a new standard for business travel.”
A Journey Beyond the Ordinary
Go Sustainable was more than a familiarisation trip. It was a four-day, first-of-its-kind collaboration between Evolve Events, Eurostar, TGV Lyria, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, Zurich and Lucerne Convention Bureau, Metropolis DMC and local sustainability-led partners.
Thirty-five UK event professionals travelled from London to Switzerland, experiencing firsthand what low-impact, high-experience business travel can look like when sustainability sits at the heart of programme design. This wasn’t about ticking boxes, it was a living demonstration of our Grounded approach: People-first • Place-led • Planet-considered.
People-First: Connection That Matters
From the moment the group stepped aboard the train to the last evening in Zurich, every element was designed by the team to foster human connection, conversation and collaboration. Travelling by rail offered something air travel rarely can: time to reflect, discuss and bond, turning the journey itself into an experience rather than lost hours.
Place-Led: Experiences Rooted in Culture
Switzerland shaped the programme with sustainability at its core. Highlights included:
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Mount Rigi’s car-free landscapes, demonstrating slow travel in action
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Circular economy workshops with Swiss innovators
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Sustainable venues and locally sourced dining, celebrating the region’s producers
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Lakeside moments in Lucerne and innovation districts in Zurich
Every stop encouraged a deep, meaningful connection with the destination, showing that business travel can enrich the place as much as the people who visit it.
Planet-Considered: Sustainability in Action
Sustainability wasn’t an afterthought, it was embedded into every decision:
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Rail travel from London → Paris → Basel → Lucerne → Zurich
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Over 90% reduction in emissions compared to flying
- Independent ESG measurement and reporting, awarded a Distinction
The programme proved that sustainable business travel can be luxurious, seamless and high-impact.
Explore the full journey here.
Why the Grounded Approach Works
At Evolve Events, every sustainable MICE programme begins with three guiding questions:
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How do we centre the human experience? Ensuring genuine connection, learning and collaboration.
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How do we honour the destination? Working with local partners, celebrating culture and creating authentic, place-rooted experiences.
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How do we reduce impact? Making conscious choices about travel, venues, suppliers and programme design to leave a measurable positive footprint.
For European programmes, rail travel offers seamless connectivity, dramatically lower emissions and a productive, connective journey. Combined with destinations that prioritise sustainability, the result is an experience that feels purposeful, not performative.
The Business Case for Sustainable Events
Winning this award highlights a broader industry truth: sustainability is no longer optional, it’s a business advantage.
We’re seeing three major drivers:
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Stronger ESG & Scope 3 Reporting: Companies need verifiable reductions in travel-related emissions and transparent reporting that supports corporate sustainability strategies.
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Growing Stakeholder Influence: Teams, investors and customers expect organisations to walk the talk.
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Experience Matters More Than Ever: Low-impact travel rooted in local culture creates deeper learning, inspiration, and team connection.
Sustainable travel isn’t a trend, it’s becoming an essential part of event planning strategy.
What Participants Told Us
For many of the 35 attendees, Go Sustainable was their first programme designed around sustainability principles. Their feedback was clear: sustainable travel doesn’t limit experience, it enriches it.
They discovered:
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Travel that encourages collaboration
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Programmes rooted in local culture
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A calmer, more connected pace of movement
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Experiences that feel meaningful and purposeful
A Movement, Not Just a Campaign
Being the first MICE initiative recognised at the Rail Tourism Awards is a milestone, but it’s bigger than a campaign or a trophy. It represents a movement. A signal that business travel can be done differently, better and with impact.
This award is for every organisation wondering if they can make the shift, every planner told sustainability is too complicated, every team assuming rail is impractical. The message is clear: you can do this.
The Journey Continues
At Evolve Events, we will continue to deliver Grounded programmes that are people-first, place-led and planet-considered. Whether designing rail-connected European incentives or working with sustainability-leading destinations, our goal remains the same: to create experiences that connect, inspire and leave measurable impact.
Sustainable business travel isn’t a concept for the future, it’s happening now.
If you’re curious about how rail could reshape the way your teams travel, connect and experience events, we’d love to show you what’s possible. Reach out, and let’s build the next journey together.
About Evolve Events
Evolve Events is a London-based, award-winning sustainably led events agency, specialising in low-carbon, culturally rooted international MICE programmes, including conferences, incentives and business events. Our Grounded approach (People-first • Place-led • Planet-considered) delivers meaningful experiences with measurable environmental impact reduction.