SENFC's Story
In 2002, forward-thinking meeting planners Nancy Zavada and Amy Spatrisano founded the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC). This global organization became a hub for collaboration among professionals in the meetings and hospitality industry dedicated to sustainable practices. By 2005, GMIC had been admitted to the Convention Industry Council (CIC), now known as the Events Industry Council (EIC).
In 2009, Florida-based industry veteran Steven Pollock joined GMIC and began establishing the Florida/Caribbean Chapter. Despite early enthusiasm, both GMIC and the chapter struggled to build lasting momentum. In 2015, GMIC announced plans to cease operations. Recognizing the value of GMIC’s sustainability knowledge, EIC absorbed its resources and launched a new signature program—establishing the EIC Sustainability Leadership Committee in 2016. Steven became an inaugural committee member, serving through 2019.
Following GMIC’s closure, members of the former Florida/Caribbean Chapter chose to continue the mission independently. On November 3, 2017, the Sustainable Events Network, Florida & Caribbean (SENFC) was officially founded, with Steven as its first president. He was succeeded on March 13, 2020 by founding Vice President Francis Purvey, with Joanna Berens stepping into the vice presidency for 2020–2021.
Since 2016, the group has grown steadily, supporting a wide range of collaborative initiatives to advance sustainable practices in Florida and the Caribbean’s meetings and events industry.
In partnership with the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE), SENFC conducted its first acknowledged food rescue at NACE’s national convention at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, FL on July 19, 2016—an effort captured in a documentary video. Since then, SENFC has contributed to sustainability initiatives alongside Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), Live Nation (Tortuga Music Festival), Discover the Palm Beaches, the NFL (Super Bowl LIV), and Biz Bash, among others.
With a commitment to the next generation of leaders, SENFC has partnered with Florida International University (FIU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and the University of Central Florida (UCF) to deliver educational and hands-on programming.
SENFC also supports food banks and sustainability partners, including Feeding Florida, Food Rescue US, World Wildlife Fund, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Looking ahead, SENFC is expanding its website into a dynamic hub of guidance and resources. Visitors can explore information on food rescue, recycling, blog posts, workshop recordings, and connect with our vibrant network of individual and corporate members and partners.