BCD Meetings & Events appoints global sustainability director

CHICAGO – December 16, 2024 – BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) welcomes Thiago Araujo as Global Sustainability Director. This appointment further advances BCD’s mission to drive sustainability across corporate travel, meetings, and events.

“BCD has long been recognized as leaders in the area of sustainability. Our Platinum EcoVadis rating, ISO certified offices and systems, and long-standing commitment to the UN Global Compact and UN Sustainable Development Goals have set us apart. Now is the time to take our sustainability commitments and actions to the next level and I’m delighted to welcome Thiago to push us forward,” says Olivia Ruggles-Brise, VP Sustainability for BCD Travel.

Araujo’s role within meetings and events will continue to formalize the organization’s sustainability mission and deliver best-in-class services to customers. He will lead the company’s global sustainability strategy by aligning all operations with ambitious environmental and social goals, driving climate urgency initiatives, advancing sustainable partnerships, delivering comprehensive training and adopting sustainability into the organizational culture.

“The development of this role affirms BCD M&E’s commitment to turning sustainability challenges into actionable change for clients, partners and communities worldwide,” says Araujo. “In particular, I’m focused on embedding sustainability into every level of the organization, ensuring we not only meet compliance requirements but also lead with innovation and collective impact.”

Araujo brings more than 15 years of professional experience at the intersection of sustainability, business development and strategic leadership, with previous roles including Sustainability Manager at Volvo Group, Project and Account Director at GL Events, and Engagement Specialist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he led impactful sustainability initiatives.

Araujo is based in France and will report directly to BCD M&E’s SVP, People & Culture, Audrey Lambert and work closely with BCD’s overarching sustainability department and BCD’s consulting division Advito to champion sustainability across the organization.

The new role follows publication of BCD M&E’s 2024 Sustainability Guide, which provides tangible insights into the organization’s key sustainability focus areas and outlines its core commitment to advancing the industry standards and accountability across regions.

For more information, read the Sustainability Guide, and visit BCD M&E’s official sustainability page to understand more about their vision and practices.