Earth Day 2020 (22 April) will see the launch of #Eventprofs For Change, an initiative that sees eventprofs on a mission to ‘help accelerate the rate of change towards a more sustainable events industry’.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted not only thelevel of pollution in the world, but also just how important nature can be to mental health and wellbeing, #Eventprofs for Change aims to empower those within the event industry to take action against climate change through ‘Inspiration, Collaboration and Transformation’.
The campaign’s focus is to help all those in the industry ‘move from feeling powerless to powerful’ in the face of the complex issues and competing priorities facing many in the current climate.
Ken Kelling from Sense of Purpose Coaching for #eventprofs said: “Events can play a big part in helping to drive solutions for climate change. There’s some great examples out there and real passion for the issue. But we can – and need – to do more to empower ourselves as individuals, break down barriers and connect across boundaries. It’s about the beliefs and feelings we hold as much as the practical steps we can take.”
The campaign will provide a forum for #eventprofs to explore, learn, share and talk about the positive action they are taking. It will also provide a place for them to reflect on what might be holding them back – from working with colleagues who are resistant to making changes to how to cope with anxiety around climate change.
Rory Archibald, head of associations and sectors at VisitScotland said: “It’s not always easy to reconcile profit with the planet or the views of purpose-led millennials versus older generations, for example. We need to have difficult conversations as the pressure to take action is now. The urgency of our climate emergency is only going to increase so the more we communicate and collaborate with each other, the more we remove any blocks in the way”.
Felicity Cator, head of EventLab at Hire Space said: “We’re living in a really crucial time for climate action and recognising this can be overwhelming. Event organisers are frequently faced with intimidating facts and figures and the paradox of conflicting information and greenwashing, can feel like walking a tightrope. But as a community we can tackle those contradictions together and hopefully feel more knowledgeable and inspired to take positive action.”
#Eventprofs for Change has set up a Facebook group which will feature interviews, virtual meet ups and resources highlighting individual responses to climate change. Members of the group will also be available for workshops, meetings and talks for event-based organisations who want to discuss the issues involved.
The group wants to hear directly from event professionals who are interested in getting support for and sharing experiences in increasing the rate of sustainable change in the events industry.
For more information and to get involved, join the Facebook group or contact Ken@senseofpurpose.co.uk either by email or on 07941 218915.
