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Andrew
Is there such thing as a 'green' event?
I read an interesting blog on the issue recently which argued the point that there is no such thing as a 'Green Event'. Cutting through the detail of the article and in summary, they argued that events will never be 'green' because events always demand impact and there are too many layers to any event (logistics, construction etc) for someone to self certify it as 'green'.
However, that's not to say everyone should give up on trying to be green. So I ask you, the experts of the event world. What within the events process (supplier & services in particular, but don't hold back) can we do in delivering a 'green(er)' event?
My second question, do economically austere times make it harder to be green or care about being green?
Cheers,
Andrew
2 comments
Andrew
Andrew H. • I posted this topic in several other industry groups, here are just a few of the replies I received to the above question.
I think organisers seem to be less focused on being green as they are on costs. We now need our events to have more impact but with less budget so if it costs more to be green, that will be second on the list!
We have a tree planting team activity that means that delegates cannot just offset their carbon from the event but for a whole year's business travel.
I think a few years ago (before the recession) being green was a high priority, however in more recent times we are needing to think much more about costs. This doesnt need to be 'instead of' but 'as well as'. I know I like to pick venues that have some sort of CSR policy in place over those that dont.
I think that with the launch of BS 8901 it looked like going green was going to be a major priority for many organisers. Locog are certainly leading the way with london 2012 and if you haven't done already it's worth downloading their document showing the measures being taken to make Olympic the greenest ever. However I agree with other responses that the current economic climate has seen the green issue slip down the agenda a little with organisers.
low impact transportation with purchased carbon offsets, recycling, education, sustainable products, environmentally responsible choices.
being green often entails being frugal. I, for instance, cannot understand why we are still using so much paper when there are easier, more efficient electronic alternatives. This is especially true regarding name badges and lead capture at trade shows. So many companies are still using raffle tickets and business cards to capture contacts when all they need are one or two laptops or tablets with a connection to Salesforce, or whatever CRM software they are using; this cuts the amount of materiel to purchase and transport and allows for budget flexibility. The rest (travel, construction) is a little harder to manage, but with the right amount of creativity (and budget!) can certainly be minimized. I also marvel at those companies that throw things away or lose them only to have to re-purchase each year...it's all about planning!
as long as you don't do it in sunlight, have no powerpoint, scream loudly, invite everyone to take the train to your event, don't build a stage, tell people to bring their own lunch and take the waste back home with them, don't hand out any kind of information, and let them either freeze or sweat, it won't be green.
yes, greenER, that's doable. and there's some potential, but if you look at footprint figures, you'll realize you're fighting a battle you can't really win, at least not by much.
Andrew
Andrew H. • continued....
We plant 500 a trees a month which off sets all the green house gases caused by our cluster of computers(so far we have about 18,000 trees planted in Nicaragua and Haiti). Some but not all my clients have stopped producing paper brochures for onsite and instead use our iphone/android/blackberry optimized itineraries.
There are many shades of green and anyone of them them is better than none at all.
this is a difficult conundrum - it depends on your definition of 'Green' - is it totally carbon neutral or being as ecologically responsible as possible? My view, and some might argue against me, is that it is extremley difficult to be totally 'Green' as the event has no real control over the production practices of contributors (exhibitors/suppliers) and attendees, most of whom will attend by car. That said I do believe that we all have a moral duty to be as 'Green' as we can and encourage others to do likewise, and this applies to good or bad economic conditions.
I would like to think that each element is doing it's bit - perhaps one way to ensure buy in for an event would be for each element - the organisers, venue and suppliers to be asked to publish their "green" credentials either on the show website or on their stand - perhaps the visitiors could be asked to wear a badge saying "I came by train" or "I shared a car to get here". By going "public" most people actually take the issue more seriously as they like to shout about their "green" credentials. It might even shame some to start thinking about the issue
Stangely a lot of he "stuff" that creates waste could be easily avoided and could save the exhibitor money. Last minute changes to graphics/structures late deliveries of extras etc. So many times the truck arrives with "everything" on it, followed by the courier with the borchures, the bike carrying the USB with the presntation on and the Fedex with the coffee. With a proper plan and a timeline you can win on both counts. Hardly anything you do is totally green but as Nigel said there are lots of elements that can help.