Erin Rooney, chief marketing officer at Prismm (formerly Allseated) shares her tips for prioritising venue sustainability.
Sustainability is a growing topic in the events business, with many event planners prioritising eco-friendly practices. Whether these changes are achieved by recycling, lowering travel emissions, or utilising digital options over paper, the events industry strives towards a greener future.
But why are they making this transition and what are the benefits of being more sustainable? Most importantly, being more sustainable reduces damaging environmental impacts, bettering not only the planet but also your business’s reputation and employee experience. In addition to this, sustainable event practices build strong community ties by attracting customers who value green practices and fostering customer loyalty and new business opportunities.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s discuss how to implement them effectively. See below our top tips:
adopt sustainability as a core mindset
Successful sustainability requires support from leadership across all operations. To ensure this event managers and planners need clear sustainability policies and certifications. In addition, if you’re running a business make an effort to implement measures to conserve water and energy, reduce waste, and promote recycling. Most importantly, ensure your team is educated on the topic and its benefits, to boost the drive towards a greener mindset.
make the most of digital tools to reduce your paper trail
Shift away from traditional paper-based materials and instead use digital marketing and communications and embrace the power of digital floor plans and immersive walkthroughs, which offer sustainable alternatives to printed brochures. You can take this a step further by also creating digital invites, which allow you to be more creative and make the RSVP process for your event smoother and more reliable.
lower the air miles and encourage eco-friendly transportation
Advancements in spatial design technology now allow your employees and clients to view their venue layouts from the comfort of their own homes, anywhere, anytime. By removing the need to travel back and forth not only are you saving time but also enforcing a greener process.
To further promote eco-friendly transport, choose venue spaces that are accessible by public transport or within walking or cycling distance to encourage greener travel methods. You can even take this a step further by facilitating carpooling and partnerships with rideshare companies to further reduce vehicle use.
eco-friendly decor and supplies
Make a conscious effort to choose and recommend recycled, biodegradable, or reusable materials for decorations and supplies. Ditch the single-use plastics and consider compostable tableware, digital signage, and decor incorporating organic elements like plants or flowers. By prioritising these alternatives you’re showcasing the positive impact of climate-conscious event planning to both your clients and their guests.
share your knowledge with your clients
It is standard for events to include recycling bins but why not take this a step further and offer options for waste sorting and resource reduction? Whether it’s waste compost bins, manual waste sorting, or even providing contacts for charitable organisations where your clients can donate leftover food, you’re reinforcing the sustainable ethos of your business and helping your clients make the right decisions.
Embracing sustainability in event planning is crucial for reducing environmental impact, benefiting the economy, and enhancing social responsibility. By implementing these practices, you can lead the way toward a more sustainable future, meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly options and setting a standard for future generations.
