To foster greater sustainability in events, it's crucial to begin with a personal commitment. Before enrolling in the event management program, I had never really considered the sustainability of events or the individual impact on the event industry. However, going deeper into this subject, I came to realize that for the industry to change, one's own mindset must evolve, along with the expectations of other stakeholders involved in event organization.
I resolved to conduct a more in-depth exploration of this topic and formulate a plan to make my contributions to event organization more environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly. Any event planning commences with booking a venue, and I've since learned that many venues have already adopted environmentally friendly practices. Take, for instance, the Beanfield Center. In a presentation I conducted, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that despite its age, it stands as Canada's most environmentally responsible conference facility. It has earned certificates for sustainable design, it operates solely on 100% renewable energy sources, employs CO2 sensors to enhance air quality, and utilizes rainwater harvesting to reduce water consumption. Additionally, they have implemented organic recycling programs. By supporting venues and companies committed to going green, as an event organizer, you can play a pivotal role in promoting environmentally conscious trends in the market.
[Source: Beanfield Center website https://www.explace.on.ca/venue/beanfield-centre/]
Another aspect I considered was "Outgreening" practices. In his book "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," Thomas L. Friedman describes how adopting green initiatives resulted in cost savings and improved the performance of New York City taxicabs, and how solar power conferred a tactical advantage on the U.S. Army in the Iraq War. As Friedman defines it, Outgreening entails surpassing your competition by making the most efficient use of resources (Friedman 2008, p. 322). In essence, sustainable decisions can not only win wars but also help stave off ecological catastrophes by promoting environmentally friendly choices.
In a CVENT article, I came across ten green event ideas that foster sustainability, and most are relatively straightforward to implement. The first idea, as previously mentioned, involves selecting greener, more sustainable venues.
The second idea entails rejecting single-use plastic. I personally witnessed this in action at the Hillside Festival, where all 3,000 attendees utilized reusable plastic tableware that volunteers washed and maintained—a truly impressive initiative.
The third idea involves providing alternative travel options, which is also quite achievable through shuttle buses and carpooling practices.
While there are many more ideas to explore, it's vital to start with a few manageable steps rather than attempting to implement everything simultaneously. Therefore, beginning with our own practices and taking a few feasible steps can lead to a substantial positive impact on the world.
[Source: CVENT article on 10 green event ideas that can make a huge difference
https://www.cvent.com/uk/blog/events/10-green-event-ideas-can-make-huge-difference]
EcoMatcher. (2023). Corporate Sustainability Trends to Watch Out For in 2023. EcoMatcher. [https://www.ecomatcher.com/corporate-sustainability-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-2023/]. Accessed October 20, 2023.
