WUM has been engaged with sustainability for many years. At the end of 2024, an important milestone was reached: certification according to ISO 20121. But what does “sustainability” mean for WUM, and what does this certification specifically entail? In early March 2025, I spoke with Denis Beutler (Managing Partner) and Romina Specht (Sustainability Officer) to find out.
Denis Beutler and Romina Specht
Abram: “Denis, why is sustainability such an important topic for WUM? And what led us to pursue ISO 20121 certification?”
Denis: “For us, sustainability is not a trend—it has always been an integral part of our business practices, purely out of self-interest. Without sustainable operations, we wouldn’t exist anymore: our employees would leave, potential applicants would look elsewhere, and we would have no chance of economic survival. On a personal level, reducing environmental impact is important to me—especially because my children would hold me accountable otherwise.
As early as 2012, we were certified according to the industry standard ‘Sustainable Company.’ When this certification expired, it was important for us to continue offering our customers a credible and rigorous validation of our sustainability efforts. With the growing demand for proof and certifications, we chose ISO 20121.
We were convinced by SGS as our certification partner, thanks to their smart, sustainable approach and a methodology that not only evaluates sustainability but also embodies it. The insights gained from this collaboration have already been incorporated into our management system.
Additionally, in 2013, we co-founded the FAMAB Foundation to help reduce CO₂ emissions within our industry. For us, sustainability does not mean standing still—it means continuous progress, a principle deeply embedded in our corporate strategy.”
Abram: “Romina, what exactly is ISO 20121? And what does it mean for us?”
Romina: “This international standard is designed for companies involved in the conception, design, planning, and execution of trade fairs and events. ISO 20121 defines requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, documenting, and continuously improving a sustainable event management system.
Our biggest realization was that certification does not dictate specific measures or results but is based on a management system approach. Optimized processes contribute to more sustainable procurement, social responsibility, and effective stakeholder management. Through certification, we ensure that these improvements are not just theoretical but actively integrated into daily operations.
For us, sustainability is far more than an abstract concept—it is firmly embedded in our everyday workflows.”
Abram: “What concrete changes and measures are being implemented as a result?”
Romina: “One major advantage is that the management team recognizes the importance of appointing a dedicated person with the necessary expertise to develop a sustainability strategy. This is why I am now responsible for the topic—it is much better than assigning the ‘sustainability burden’ to someone unfamiliar with it.
For WUM, this means not only maintaining and optimizing a continuous improvement process, as required by ISO, but also implementing a structured action management system across all three dimensions of sustainability.
Current concrete measures include conducting surveys (stakeholder dialogue), calculating our Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) for 2024, and developing a supplier evaluation system to assess sustainability criteria.”
Abram: “Do our customers benefit from this as well?”
Romina: “Absolutely. There are several aspects to this. Starting in mid-2025, we will be able to provide customers subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with the required key figures.
More generally, our customers benefit from having a service provider and supplier that, in addition to economic considerations, takes responsibility for ecological and social impacts.
Through our actions, we help our customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as we continuously work to lower our own emissions in the upstream value chain (Scope 3). Additionally, our resource savings directly contribute to emission reductions.”
Abram: “Romina, thank you for your time! Denis, what’s next? How do you see the future?”
Denis: “Sustainability is an ongoing journey—certification was an important milestone, but by no means the final step. Our processes and continuous improvement efforts help us stay on track and keep evolving. We are committed to pursuing this path long-term, tackling challenges, and finding sustainable solutions. This is only possible with dedicated and motivated employees, as well as open collaboration with our customers and partners. That’s why we look forward to every new project and fresh ideas.”
Abram: “Thanks for your insights, Denis!”
General Sustainability Management Goals
- Environment
- Reduce emissions
- Reduce resource consumption
- Reduce waste
- Social
- Increase employee satisfaction
- Improve workplace safety and health
- Enhance social responsibility
- Governance
- Increase transparency
- Improve profitability
- Strengthen independence
