PHUSE Go Green
PHUSE made a pledge back in 2022 to embark on the ambitious journey to reduce our carbon footprint and take an environmentally mindful approach to contributing towards a more sustainable earth.
We began by rolling out a series of initiatives such as removing the conference bags and promotional items (including 30+ paper flyers) at our events and investing in an event app to digitalise our content.
Since then, our approach has continued to evolve. We have embraced a digital-first mindset across our Connect events, reducing the need for printed materials and providing delegates with access to information, schedules and content through digital platforms. This allows us to minimise waste while maintaining a seamless event experience for attendees.
A big part of our green practices is partnering with event venues and hotels that align with our ethos. We prioritise venues with strong environmental credentials, including energy-efficient operations, waste reduction programmes and recognised sustainability standards. When selecting accommodation for delegates, we also look to work with hotels that demonstrate a commitment to responsible environmental practices.
When catering for 700+ delegates, it is essential we prioritise food waste. We work closely with catering partners who prioritise locally sourced ingredients where possible, minimise food waste and follow responsible preparation and service practices. This mission is supported by contributing to charities that work towards eradicating food poverty in the local communities where we hold our events. For example, at the EU Connect 2022 in Belfast, UK, we worked with Changing The Menu. For Good. And our US Connect 2024 hotel – the Bethesda North Marriott – is the first Marriott hotel to have installed the BioGreen360 machine – a waterless closed-loop system which composts all food waste on site.
Our goal is not simply to reduce our environmental impact, but to take a considered and practical approach that reflects the values of our Community while continuing to deliver high-quality global events.
Charitable Initiatives
PHUSE are dedicated to supporting important causes and making a difference in the lives of others across everything we do. In recent years, we have demonstrated our commitment to charitable causes through fundraising at both our EU and US Connects and making donations on behalf of our awardees.
In 2022, our US Connect donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which provides vital aid to Ukraine, and our EU Connect supported the Changing The Menu. For Good. initiative, a project dedicated to tackling food poverty in Belfast, UK.
In 2023, our US Connect contributed to the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, which provides advanced paediatric services to children, teenagers and young adults in central Florida. Our EU Connect supported the Marfan Trust – the only Marfan charity in the UK – which is dedicated to research into and treatment for Marfan syndrome, in memory of John Hirst, PHUSE Board Member.
In 2024, our Connects donated to the Cure Mito Foundation, which supports families impacted by Leigh syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative mitochondrial disease. Our Community also supported charitable and conservation-focused organisations including Strasbourg Action Solidarité, the National Trust and the Huntington’s Disease Association, supporting local communities, rare disease research and environmental conservation.
In 2025, our US Connect supported the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which works to combat hunger and food insecurity across Central Florida, alongside Blood Cancer United and the World Land Trust. Our EU Connect supported Tafel Hamburg, a local food bank that redistributes surplus food to people experiencing hardship, alongside Assistance Dogs International and The Earthshot Prize.
In 2026, PHUSE continued this journey by supporting Hill Country Community Ministries and WaterAid at the US Connect. These organisations play important roles in providing essential community services and improving access to clean water, reinforcing our commitment to supporting practical, meaningful change both locally and globally.
While the organisations we support evolve each year, our mission remains the same: to use the collective strength of our Community to make a positive difference wherever we can.
Community Building and Promoting Tourism in PHUSE Event Cities
PHUSE events are the heartbeat of our vibrant Community. Their impact extends beyond the events themselves, out into the local areas of the cities we visit.
We actively contribute to promoting tourism and economic growth in our host cities. We publish a city guide for each location (example here) and we structure the conferences so they commence on a Sunday, encouraging attendees to arrive earlier and explore the local area before the event begins. We have also partnered with local organisations such as Visit Belfast to ensure our events have a meaningful impact on the cities that host them. In addition, our free-to-attend Single Day Events enable us to connect with communities around the world and extend the reach of PHUSE beyond our larger Connect conferences.
By bringing events to a variety of locations, we create opportunities for our Community to come together in places that may not traditionally host large industry conferences, while contributing to local economies and community organisations.
Community building also happens beyond the conference agenda. Our well-known morning ‘PHUSE Connect 5k Run’ around the city has gained momentum since the pandemic. It’s an amazing way of bringing our delegates together in a group exercise activity – whatever their ability. This not only fosters connections but also promotes wellness.
Over time, our wellbeing and networking activities have grown beyond the 5k Run to create even more opportunities for connection and inclusion. Attendees can now take part in yoga, circuit training, mindfulness, breathwork, guided walking tours, Sip & Paint, line dancing and nutrition sessions.
Supporting Future Talent
Our collaborative community efforts extend to academia. At the EU Connect 2023, we hosted a University Day, where we invited local university students to a day of insightful presentations and engaging discussions on key industry topics.
We regularly welcome students at our multi-day conferences, which reflects our ongoing engagement with the academic community. Through initiatives such as our Academia Meets – academic partnerships, University Day initiatives and student participation opportunities – PHUSE remains committed to bridging the gap between education and industry and encouraging the next generation of talent to become part of our Community.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to improving the work we do to support diversity and inclusion at our events. We strive to foster a rich, collaborative experience where everyone involved feels valued and included. We do this through the following initiatives:
- Our keynote speakers and general presentations deliver diversity-focused content.
- PHUSE is delighted to welcome, on average, attendees from 150+ different companies and 15+ different countries, reflecting a range of perspectives and experiences.
- Our event catering accommodates a wide range of dietary requirements.
- We provide quiet spaces and advertise off-peak times for areas such as the Exhibition Hall to support attendees who prefer to engage away from a noisy and busy environment.
- All our communications are clear and accessible in bite-sized chunks to facilitate understanding for our global audience.
- Through delegate responses in feedback surveys, we gather insights to continually improve our inclusivity efforts.
