Becky Davison, project manager, First Event, explains how agencies can support clients on their sustainability journey.
Sustainability is a hot topic within the events industry, and rightly so. This new focus not only highlights a heightened awareness of sustainability as a whole, but also how the events industry in particular is guilty of wasteful and unsustainable practices. This has led to a rise in the demand for sustainable options at events, or better yet, entirely ‘green’ events. In today’s climate, making sure sustainability is the most important factor at every decision-making point is a business necessity.
Working as part of an agency, teams like First Event have the gift of perspective. Collaborating as an external organisation with our clients, our objectivity makes it easier for us to spot areas for improvement.
It is vital that we make the most of this perspective, not only to facilitate these sustainable options, but to educate our clients on their benefits in the first place.
At First Event, we offer our clients a pre- and post-sustainability report once an event has been delivered, allowing us to determine the environmental impact of the event. By prioritising this from the outset of the planning process, we efficiently discuss and incorporate alternative ‘green’ options, or put measures in place to offset the carbon emissions post-event.
Our role and responsibility
Event professionals must think outside the box when it comes to sustainable practices. It is our responsibility to find new, innovative, and creative ways to reduce the carbon footprint each and every time we produce an event. As an industry, we need to not only educate clients on the impact events create upon the environment, but also equip them with the tools to do something about it.
We cannot be afraid to challenge clients, suppliers and venues on their decisions and practices. Collectively, as an industry, we should be supporting one another to make change. We should be doing more.
But, in order to move forward, sustainability must be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. This is why at First Event we ensure our supply chain meets our social responsibility and sustainable standards. Ask yourself, what are you doing externally to make sure you are sustainable in your practice?
Here’s a thought, could offering digital solutions be the answer to some of our environmental concerns? Most definitely. As well as being hugely convenient for both our clients and their delegates, avoiding the use of one-time-only branding, and countless amounts of paper and plastic-coated badges means that we are helping to protect our planet. As an events agency, you can never do too much analysing of what you do and, more importantly, why you do it.
