Sarah Miele & Beau Felipe

This session explores how the Canadian National Exhibition transformed its waste management approach by leading with organics as the foundation of a broader sustainability strategy. Using the Food Building as a controlled pilot environment, the CNE implemented updated vendor policies, certified compostable packaging standards, dedicated compliance oversight, and strengthened partnerships with processors and frontline sorting teams. Throughout the process the CNE engaged brand partners to help bring awareness and educate guests on our commitment to sustainability.

Outcomes:

1. Understand how we designed and implemented an organics-first waste diversion strategy for large, high-volume events by aligning leadership, policy, and operations.

2. Learn practical tools for improving vendor compliance and reducing contamination, including certification standards, compliance officers, enforcement frameworks, and vendor education.

3. Learn how to operationalize organics-first waste goals at scale, including the use of third-party contractors, on-site sorting teams, and real-time communication between processors, compliance staff, and frontline operations.

4. Explore how the CNE leveraged brand partnerships to deliver positive guest education and experiences through innovative technologies.

BIO:

Sarah Miele is the Director of Exhibit Sales and Sponsorships at the Canadian National Exhibition. At the CNE, Sarah oversees Corporate Partners & Sponsorships, indoor and outdoor retail vendors and the iconic Food Building. With 18-years of experience in brand partnerships and live-event sponsorships, she is a dynamic leader who knows how to connect brands with audiences in meaningful, memorable ways. Having worked across brand, media and property, Sarah brings a 360 view of sponsorship – from strategy and creative ideation to partnership activation and measurement.

This session explores how the Canadian National Exhibition transformed its waste management approach by leading with organics as the foundation of a broader sustainability strategy. Using the Food Building as a controlled pilot environment, the CNE implemented updated vendor policies, certified compostable packaging standards, dedicated compliance oversight, and strengthened partnerships with processors and frontline sorting teams. Throughout the process the CNE engaged brand partners to help bring awareness and educate guests on our commitment to sustainability.

Outcomes:

1. Understand how we designed and implemented an organics-first waste diversion strategy for large, high-volume events by aligning leadership, policy, and operations.

2. Learn practical tools for improving vendor compliance and reducing contamination, including certification standards, compliance officers, enforcement frameworks, and vendor education.

3. Learn how to operationalize organics-first waste goals at scale, including the use of third-party contractors, on-site sorting teams, and real-time communication between processors, compliance staff, and frontline operations.

4. Explore how the CNE leveraged brand partnerships to deliver positive guest education and experiences through innovative technologies.

BIO:

Beau Felipe is the Manager of Event Services and Operations at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). Beau works closely with a dedicated team to oversee event logistics, site setup, trade coordination, sanitation services, and sustainability initiatives. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is Canada’s largest community event, welcoming up to 1.6 million visitors each summer across 192 acres of programming that includes more than 250 food vendors, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, and cultural showcases. In recent years, Beau has led the revitalization of the CNE’s sustainability and waste diversion program, with a particular focus on reducing food waste in the iconic Food Building, home to 111 vendors. He remains committed to improving operational efficiency and strengthening the CNE’s environmental performance through practical, results-driven solutions.