Making Events Sustainable: 9 Top Tips
11.07.23
Evan Strange
Strategy Director
Molly Hodge
Executive Creative Director
Michelle Bartosiewicz
Creative Director
Making Events Sustainable:
9 Top Tips
While the events industry has come a long way in reducing the environmental impact of in-person gatherings through various green practices, event professionals are left to wonder if they can be truly sustainable long-term.
InVision’s podcast, The XCAST, recently hosted an episode, “Exploring the Path to Sustainable Events,” an engaging discussion between our strategy and creative experts in the realm of sustainable event design. How do we transform large-scale gatherings with intensive resource consumption into beacons of sustainability?
Our experts emphasized that mere talk about sustainability isn't enough. Action is the key. They passionately advocated for businesses and event organizers to not just discuss sustainability but to actively demonstrate it in their events. The call was clear: integrate sustainable practices as a fundamental component of a broader commitment to environmental responsibility.
Read on for practical tips and valuable insights from the conversation that event professionals can put into practice today.
Top 9 Sustainability Tips
1. Thoughtful Swag: Evaluate the necessity of event swag and opt for practical, useful items that attendees will use, and made of environmentally-friendly materials, such as bamboo fiber or recycled plastic.
2. Reusable Water Bottles: Provide attendees with reusable water bottles and promote the use of refill stations to reduce plastic waste.
3. Rent Local: Select local suppliers and rentals to minimize transportation-related emissions.
4. Rent and Reuse: Instead of building from scratch, consider renting and reusing event props and furniture.
5. Education: Educate event attendees about sustainable practices, such as recycling, composting and proper waste disposal.
6. Plant-Based Diets: Offer plant-based meal options to reduce the carbon footprint associated with meat production.
7. Food Waste Management: Implement strategies to minimize food waste, including donating edible leftovers to local organizations fighting food insecurity, and recycling inedible food waste.
8. Transportation: Encourage eco-friendly transportation options like e-bikes, electric vehicle fleets, or walking (when possible).
9. Ban Single-Use Plastic: Eliminate single-use plastics throughout the event, including badges and lanyards.
By implementing these actionable, sustainable practices and collectively committing to a greener future, we can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of events. It's time to take action, making sustainable events a resounding reality in our industry.
Stay tuned for part two of our conversation, where sustainability advocate Paul Salinger shares his journey with Oracle and spotlights the integration of sustainability in corporate event planning for a greener future.
For more content on sustainability, check out our two-part blog series on creating a compelling environmental, social, and governance (ESG) story for your brand.
If you're seeking to elevate your upcoming brand experience with an emphasis on sustainability, InVision is here to help you. We are dedicated to creating impactful, environmentally conscious events. Contact your InVision Account Director or info@iv.com to learn more.