Debbie Friedel (second from left), senior director of sustainability, participated in a main panel at the recent Green Sports Alliance Summit held in Miami June 12. The panel discussed the “Revenue Generation Playbook,” designed to help organizations drive sustainability and profitability.
Delaware North’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact at major sports venues was a featured topic at this year’s Green Sports Alliance (GSA) Summit in Miami, where Debbie Friedel, senior director of corporate sustainability, joined a panel of industry leaders.
The panel was focused on the “Revenue Generation Playbook” – a practical guide developed by the GSA to help organizations turn sustainability initiatives into revenue-generating opportunities. Delaware North also contributed to the content in the playbook, which can be found here.
The 14th annual GSA Summit’s theme, “Game On 2030,” highlighted the upcoming deadline for the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global framework focused on achieving sustainable development by 2030 requiring action across various industries.
The GSA Summit, held June 10-12, is the largest and most influential gathering for the sports community to unite around sustainability and discuss new ways to promote environmental initiatives and business success.
Radha Balani (Think Beyond), Melanie Condon (Keurig Dr Pepper) and Bill Combs (Penske) joined Friedel on the panel, each offering unique perspectives on aligning sustainability with strategic growth.
Attendees gained insights into securing internal buy-in, building high-impact partnerships and attracting purpose-driven sponsors. The session also emphasized how embedding sustainability into brand identity can deepen fan engagement and unlock new business avenues.
Several Delaware North partners and venues where Delaware North operates were acknowledged for their waste management efforts and named “Waste Champions,” including the San Diego Padres, Climate Pledge Arena and UBS Arena. Minnesota United FC, which plays at Allianz Field, was also recognized as an “Energy Player.”