Green Event Misnomer
Hi all
Really glad to be a part of this fab site (thanks for inviting me John - I am about to talk about something close to your heart!)
I received a call yesterday re a feature that Events Magazine are running on Green Events and it reminded me of the Event 100 awards I attended recently (managed to blag my way onto the Green Panel which I was delighted about!) It appears to me that the whole idea of a 'green event' is still being misunderstood by a large proportion of the events industry....anyhow....this was my reply to the poor sales guy who was only trying to sell me a quarter page...!! Just wondered what you all thought....
If I remember correctly, about 75% of people in the Event 100 audience voted that green events would be more expensive...this is really telling as it concurs with other data which suggest that 8/9 people out of 10 are sceptic about the whole concept of green. We need to dispel this myth! Rather than talking about a 'green event' we should be talking about 'producing and managing events sustainably' which is very different. It about doing what we do already but doing it better ...economically, socially and environmentally. It also means getting our facts right - which requires instructive scientific analyses of the various elements - so that we don't end up trying to do the wrong thing very well!! This can be done at the level of collaborative consultancy with an events management team or as part of an all-inclusive events management service (we do both) - the evidence being that both services lead to compelling commercial gains and a competitive edge.
The Event 100 panel discussing 'how to survive the credit crunch' talked primarily about 'adding value without increasing budget'. Hard wiring sustainability into your events practices and processes means doing just that - both in terms of short term budget management and long term financial gains.
At which point he said....'so...would you like this opportunity to advertise your brand then....?'
Really glad to be a part of this fab site (thanks for inviting me John - I am about to talk about something close to your heart!)
I received a call yesterday re a feature that Events Magazine are running on Green Events and it reminded me of the Event 100 awards I attended recently (managed to blag my way onto the Green Panel which I was delighted about!) It appears to me that the whole idea of a 'green event' is still being misunderstood by a large proportion of the events industry....anyhow....this was my reply to the poor sales guy who was only trying to sell me a quarter page...!! Just wondered what you all thought....
If I remember correctly, about 75% of people in the Event 100 audience voted that green events would be more expensive...this is really telling as it concurs with other data which suggest that 8/9 people out of 10 are sceptic about the whole concept of green. We need to dispel this myth! Rather than talking about a 'green event' we should be talking about 'producing and managing events sustainably' which is very different. It about doing what we do already but doing it better ...economically, socially and environmentally. It also means getting our facts right - which requires instructive scientific analyses of the various elements - so that we don't end up trying to do the wrong thing very well!! This can be done at the level of collaborative consultancy with an events management team or as part of an all-inclusive events management service (we do both) - the evidence being that both services lead to compelling commercial gains and a competitive edge.
The Event 100 panel discussing 'how to survive the credit crunch' talked primarily about 'adding value without increasing budget'. Hard wiring sustainability into your events practices and processes means doing just that - both in terms of short term budget management and long term financial gains.
At which point he said....'so...would you like this opportunity to advertise your brand then....?'
Tags: consultancy, eco, event, green, management, sustainabiltiy
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lee Holloway on -
Have been involved a lot with BS8901 since its launch and 100% agree with the sentiment of this post. Sustainability is simply about adopting an effective long term strategy as opposed to a temporary quick win; conducting business in a way that can be sustained into the future because it effectively manages all of its human and planet related impacts - social, economic and environmental. Legislation, taxation and everyday economic forces will inevitably make irresponsible and wasteful practices increasingly the more expensive option, so businesses getting into the right habits now will be the most profitable and sustainable in years to come.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Bell on -
Just a quick response. The wastefulness of the event/exhibition industry is driven by demands from clients for big, shiny and best - which - as suppliers - we bow down to and (really) love delivering (and never argue with the shininess).
The 'green' event will never exist, but greener events can: it is from the design basis that MEGA shift comes to create GREEN events. We need a compromise on shiny - which (unfortunately) does not exist in ANY vision - clients or suppliers. Such compromise will allow the use of sustainable materials/services.
Administrative tools can smooth the edges off the carbon impact of an event - and keep at it - but real change comes in scale, materials and scope of staging, production and site activity (delegates to dustbins)..
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Permalink Reply by Nigel T. Brown on -
Well to put in my thoughts....."Being Green" is an aspiration and we all have differing ideas on how to achieve this. I believe that we can all do something, no matter how small, towards achieving this just by thinking about what impact we are making by deciding to take part in an Exhibition. To brain storm this and looking at ways to minimise this impact. Starting with Staffing and Travel. Use of materials in your stand and your marketing materials. How they can be re-cycled, where, when and how. Then plan the whole project in detail from start to finish, building in as many efficiency checks as possible and keep the whole thing Lean.
Whilst I mention "Lean". Anyone got any comments on this "New Method" of business, which is currently being rolled out in many corporate companies.
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Fell on -
Hi Guys,
Not sure if this is of interest but we manufacture printed event lanyards made from recycled plastic and sustainable bamboo. I personally recommend the recycled plastic as cost wise they're aren't much more but quality is right up there. Bamboo is a bit less "neat."
If you're curious to see some prices just give me a shout at jfell@digitalid.co.uk
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