Eco-responsibility

Prevention Starts at Home.

A healthcare event should put into practice within its own organization the very principles it advocates on stage. At PLS, this commitment shapes what we serve, what we print, what we build, and how we come together.

PLS Proudly Named a Finalist for the VIVATS Award – Waste Prevention and Source Reduction

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Our Belief

Taking Action Upstream, Wherever Possible

In healthcare, the most lasting improvements happen upstream. Anyone working in primary care and frontline healthcare knows that acting early and staying close to people can make all the difference. We apply that same thinking to our events. Any material we prevent from being produced never needs to be sorted, transported or sent to landfill.

The health of people and the health of our environment go hand in hand. Bringing together more than 2,000 healthcare professionals gives us an opportunity to demonstrate this commitment on a large scale, from the first morning coffee to the dismantling of EXPO PLS.

Our Story

It All Started with a Challenge

In 2025, Sylvie Bernier challenged us to make PLS the healthiest and most environmentally responsible congress of its kind. We took her at her word. We rethought our event from the ground up, from the food we serve to our signage, asking ourselves the same question at every turn: What can we do without?

Some solutions were already in place. Our visibility structures have always been made of metal, designed to be reused from one edition to the next. Others called for a bolder approach. Removing cans from our tables, even from our cocktails, came as a surprise to some attendees. Their reactions reminded us that change needs to be explained, and that’s exactly what this page aims to do.

This shift now guides all our events, regardless of format, including the PLS Strategic Forum and PLS Pharmacy Day. It has also caught the attention of the Vivats Awards, which named PLS a 2026 finalist in the Waste Prevention and Source Reduction category. For a congress that champions prevention year-round, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting category.

Our Actions

How We Put Our Commitment into Practice

On the Plate.

Eating well at PLS means putting our words into action. From breakfast to snacks, all our food offerings are designed with health in mind, and sugary drinks have been eliminated. Meals are served as hearty salads, with several options available to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities.

On the Exhibition Floor.

Much of what you see at PLS has already been used and will be used again. More than 70% of the printed materials from 2025 were reused in 2026, while reusable halo displays and fabric signage have replaced corrugated plastic boards.

In Your Hands.

The PLS mobile app replaces much of the printed program, while digital totems take the place of single-use signage. Name badges and lanyards are collected throughout the venue and then recycled through Go Zéro.

All Around Us.

A sustainable approach is also measured by the space it makes for everyone. Nearly 15% of our exhibition space, tickets and partnership visibility opportunities are offered to organizations that would otherwise not have the means to participate. We also prioritize local purchasing. This helps ensure that the economic benefits of PLS stay within our communities while reducing transportation distances.

A Lasting Impression, Without Leaving a Trace

Our partners and the companies exhibiting at EXPO PLS play a vital role in this initiative. What people remember most is often what they experience, try or discover firsthand. We encourage you to focus on these experiences rather than promotional giveaways.

Become a Partner

The Journey Continues

Starting with the 2027 edition, a formal governance framework will help guide our practices, and we will step up our efforts to encourage public transit use. Each edition gives us an opportunity to go further, and we count on the people who attend our events to help us identify new ways forward.Have an idea to share? Get in touch with us at info@productionsplakett.ca

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FAQ

Why Were Sugary Drinks and Cans Removed?

A healthcare congress should practice what it preaches, and sugary drinks no longer had a place in our offerings. Cans, even those containing sparkling water, raised a different concern. Each one requires resources to manufacture, transport and collect, all for just a few minutes of use. Water remains readily available at all times through stations located throughout the venue.

Do I Need to Bring My Own Water Bottle?

You don't need to. PLS provides every attendee with a reusable water bottle, and water stations are available throughout the event. Of course, if you already have your own bottle, you're welcome to bring it along.

Do Meals Accommodate Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions?

Meals are served as hearty salads, with several options designed to accommodate food allergies and dietary sensitivities.

How Can I Get to the Palais des congrès Without a Car?

The Palais des congrès de Montréal is directly connected to Place-d’Armes metro station on the orange line. If you're arriving by train, Central Station is accessible via Bonaventure metro station, just two stops away. For those travelling from further afield, carpooling with colleagues is also a great option.

Why Am I Asked About My Mode of Transportation During Registration?

Attendee travel accounts for a significant portion of the environmental footprint of an event like PLS. Your response helps us measure this impact and track changes from one edition to the next. It also allows us to better focus our efforts on encouraging the use of public transportation.

I'm an Exhibitor. Can I Distribute Promotional Items?

We believe in encouraging positive change rather than imposing restrictions. That said, we invite you to prioritize experiences, demonstrations and digital materials, which often leave a more lasting impression than a promotional item that is quickly forgotten. If you do choose to offer promotional items, we encourage you to select reusable products designed to last.