Hey everyone!
Sorry for the absence, as many of you know, I am this year submerged in my Masters and I’m quite busy. This month I have several trips around UK to help to the coordination of fairs and shows as the BBC Good Food Show, this Sunday, and The Harrogate Country Living Christmas Fair at the end of month. I will post everything in relation with this events so I hope keep in touch more often with all of you.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend to a guest lecture that the UK’s leading industry expert on the Mice, Tony Rogers, gave at MMU. One of the key recommendations that he explained was in relation with importance of the Environmental and Green credentials that a venue has to have to be chosen to develop there an Event. This demand, recently of nowadays, is being popular and trendy until the point to be in the fourth position in the ranking of the most demanded characteristics in a venue to hold a Business Event, as the expert explained.
In relation with that, I saw an article on the website of
Vision Matrix Events that I would like
to share with you:
Holding an event entails lots of generated waste before,
during, and after the show takes place. Lots of assets and materials are being
committed to the event with the expectation of producing maximum results and
fulfilling events goals. Event producers are trying to make their events
sustainable and more cost effective to decrease impact on the environment and
their organizations. In order to hold a green event, you have to look into your
event resources history, use local vendors, take advantage of recyclable
materials, donate remaining food and form a team that supervises the green
effort.
Look into Your Past
A great way to hold a green event is by revisiting decisions
and educating yourself on actions you took at past events. Dig into your event
records to see the attendance figures for your last event and see the type and
quantities of food you had to order to accommodate your guests. As part of your
event planning and coordination, use your tracking records and event history to
make decisions based on rough data and experience from the past. This enables
you to know exactly what to order and minimize extra waste and expenses.
Local Vendors
In an effort to satisfy attendees and exceed event
expectations, organizers often try to stun guests with extravagant menu choices
and endless food options which results in food waste. As an event producer,
work with local vendors to supply your event with fresh produce and minimize
the carbon footprint. Be cautious of your choices and select options that
contain ingredients that last longer. For instance, select vegetarian dishes
that are less resource intensive and, contrary to meat, have a smaller carbon
footprint. By choosing local vendors for your event you boost the local economy
and earn the appreciation of the locals.
Recyclable Materials
It goes without saying that in order to hold a green event
you need to choose products that are recyclable. Ask your venue and vendors to
select re-usable items. Avoid using plastic glasses, plates and utensils in
favor of reusable ones. That allows you to have an eco-friendly event and a
much faster clean up at the end of the show. During event planning and
coordination, look for vendors that use green solutions and ask them to educate
you on how to keep your event green.
Give Back
Another way to hold a green event is by making sure that
none of your remaining food goes wasted. It is crucial to have enough food for
your attendees and never run out of it; however, it is important that you don’t
overdo it with your food supplies. No matter how hard you try, there is always
remaining food after an event. Ask your venue if they work with local food
banks that accept remaining food. Look for agencies to donate food before
deciding to throw it away.
Green Team
The actions above are best organized when there are people
assigned to coordinate the effort. During event planning and coordination, put
together a team with people from your organization who are responsible for
supervising your green initiatives as well as bringing new ideas to the table
if needed. By dedicating company resources to your sustainability endeavor you
are able to set-up your event for green success and you be recognized as an
organization that cares about the environment.
Key Takeaways to How to Hold a Green Event:
- Refer to previous event records to make green decisions based on rough data and experience from the past
- Work with local vendors to supply your event with fresh food, thus minimizing the carbon footprint
- Look for vendors that make use of green solutions
- Donate remaining food to local food banks and agencies
- Dedicate company resources to your sustainability efforts and get recognized as a green organization
Vision Matrix Productions. (2014) How to hold a green event. [Online] [Accessed on 11th November 2014] http://www.vm-events.com/how-to-hold-a-green-event/
