How To Run Sustainable Events
Even before COVID-19, sustainable events were on the rise. People want to know that you care about protecting the environment, social growth, and economic progress. Both event organizers and attendees need to make a conscious effort to create and go to events that are making a conscious effort to become sustainable, by thinking about the following essentials.
Size of Event
In the aftermath of the pandemic and the lifting of restrictions, micro-events have been on
the rise. With fewer people in the room, meetings have had an increase in creativity and
productivity. Decisions are made quickly, and those uncomfortable with larger crowds feel
more confident to contribute their ideas. Furthermore, these events cost less to host, do not
require larger venues, and ultimately, there will be a lot less waste.
Smaller events enable organizers to follow a set agenda more easily and keep their
attendees focused throughout. This helps everyone make the most of their time and allows
ideas to flourish.
Target Audience
Targeting your events to specific people ensures they feel like the event will meet their
specific needs. Customizing the experience will help your attendees feel more confident
taking part and more likely to make meaningful connections with others. Personalizing your
event and the invites will also show that you care for your guests, and a smaller gathering
will help make your event feel more authentic.
Keep It Local
Keeping your event local will reduce the amount of travel for your attendees. Ensuring they
can walk or cycle to your event will show that you care for the environment, as well as
show that you support local suppliers. People will look at you favorably if you use locally
sourced foods, especially if you donate any leftovers to a local food bank. Showcasing your
support for a local community will make you seem more trustworthy, and your event will be
more sustainable.
A Hybrid Option
With the increasing use of technology and working from home, hybrid events are on the
rise. Some people would rather stay at home and sign in to an event online than attend in
person (particularly if the event is far away). Hybrid events need to ensure those who attend
via a laptop or tablet are included as much as those attending in person. They need to be
given the opportunity to contribute, and more importantly, they need to be listened to.
Hybrid events can help improve someone’s work/life balance, and some may opt to be a
hybrid attendee because of their own circumstances. Ensure your events have a hybrid
option to give those who cannot attend in person the opportunity to join. This will help
boost morale and increase their appreciation of your organization for taking their needs into
account.
Be Eco-Friendly
The world is becoming more environmentally conscious and aware of climate change.
People are making a conscious effort to be more responsible when it comes to waste and
protecting the planet. Seeing the effects on COVID-19 on the world, people are far more
mindful of their own health and wellbeing and have taken comfort in nature and fresher air
due to less cars on the road.
When running events, you should know the impact you have on the environment, and look
at ways to reduce your carbon footprint to help the industry become more sustainable.
There are a few ways in which you can help make your events more eco-friendly:
Reduce your food waste and ensure that anything leftover that can’t be donated is composted instead of taken to a landfill.
Choose a venue that is easily accessible and appropriately sized to reduce energy usage and encourage people to use public transport or car share.
Promote recycling by having different colored bins and clear instructions.
Cut down on plastics by using recycled products and avoiding disposable cups and plates.
Reduce paper usage by having e-tickets and using digital or erasable whiteboards. If providing handouts, use recycled paper.
Set yourself realistic and achievable goals and stick to them. Your attendees will expect
events to be sustainable, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they are specific to your
guests’ needs. Tailoring your events, keeping it local, and choosing the right location with a
focus on protecting the environment will all contribute to making your events more
sustainable, and therefore, more desirable, and successful. Sustainable events encourage
deeper and more meaningful connections between attendees and will help build trust in
your organization.
