Green Gatherings: Hosting Sustainable Meetings and Events
Corporate events and meetings are essential for companies to interact, network, and grow. However, these events can have a severe impact on the environment due to excessive consumption of resources and energy. To mitigate this environmental damage, companies are now opting for green gatherings that promote sustainable practices and eco-friendliness. In this article, we will discuss the future of corporate events and how to host an eco-friendly conference or meeting.
Going Green: The Future of Corporate Events
Going green is not just a trend but the future of corporate events. Companies are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact and are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. By hosting green gatherings, companies can showcase their commitment to sustainability, attract eco-conscious clients and employees, and set an example for others to follow. Moreover, going green also offers cost savings, an improved reputation, and a healthier environment.
How to Host an Eco-Friendly Event or Team Meetup
Hosting an eco-friendly event, conference or meeting requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Venue
Choose a venue that has a strong environmental policy and eco-friendly amenities. Look for venues that have sustainable practices like recycling, composting, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation measures.
Food and Beverages
Opt for locally sourced, organic, and vegetarian/vegan options. Avoid single-use plastic and paper products and use reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead.
Transportation
Encourage attendees to use public transportation, carpool, or bike to the event. If possible, provide shuttle services or arrange for electric vehicles for transportation.
Technology
Use digital communication and marketing tools to reduce paper waste. Opt for energy-efficient equipment like LED screens and projectors.
Hybrid and Virtual Events
Hybrid and virtual events offer an opportunity to reduce environmental impact and make it easier for marginalized groups to attend.
Running virtual and hybrid events not only helps you reduce your carbon footprint, but it also allows you to level the playing field by transcending borders, languages, and even time. It gives access to working parents, disabled people, and those without the means to travel. With online and hybrid events, you can make the connections you need for your organization to thrive while putting your values into practice for the world to see.
In-person events still have an important role to play. They are fantastic for relationship-building, networking, and learning. There are many steps you can take to make environmental sustainability and inclusivity priorities for your in-person events, too. For example:
- Select suppliers with an active Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)policy.
- Minimize swag and make sure it’s recyclable.
- Ensure access to public transportation to and from the venue.
- Make sure your event caters to people with disabilities and includes a diverse range of voices on your speakers’ bill.
Forget the powerful moral incentive for doing the right thing. With activist investors, switched-on customers, and younger consumers who increasingly prioritize environmental impact, finding more sustainable ways to operate is a smart move.
One big benefit of running a virtual event is the choice of features you can use to maximize convenience for all groups. For attendees with impaired vision or hearing, you can offer closed captions, an audio recording of each session and sign language. It’s possible to add dubbing and alternative audio tracks for speakers of other languages. You can stream the video of a single session to many locations at the same time, making it easier for people in different time zones to participate. These features allow for a more inclusive and accessible event, regardless of physical location or ability.
The Bottom Line
Hosting sustainable corporate events is not only the responsible thing to do but also a smart business decision. Going green can save costs, attract eco-conscious clients and employees, and improve your company’s reputation. By choosing an eco-friendly venue, opting for locally sourced and organic food, encouraging sustainable transportation, and utilizing digital tools, you can make your events more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, hosting virtual and hybrid events can reduce your carbon footprint and make your events more accessible to a wider range of participants.
Companies must take responsibility for their impact on the environment and take action to mitigate it. By hosting sustainable corporate events, companies can lead the way in promoting environmental responsibility and inclusivity while still achieving their business goals. The future of corporate events lies in sustainability, and it’s up to businesses to make it a reality.
Need help planning your next sustainable event? Request a quote:
By Maria Hester