A sustainable corporate event involves making conscious decisions that minimize or eliminate negative environmental impacts. Such an event requires proactive thinking and careful selection processes to determine the venue, caterers, and other details, all to minimize the carbon footprint. The event coordinator’s initial step(s) are to establish a budget and a clear policy for the event.
Depending on the size of the undertaking, a team of associates may be required to assist the coordinator. Communicating a clear and comprehensive policy to all team members will ensure that everyone, including vendors, is aligned to complete the mission.
Venue
In today’s corporate world, companies are becoming increasingly aware of the need to host more events that utilize sustainable venues. A successful and sustainable event requires a commitment to ensuring the absolute minimum impact on the environment and leaving little or no carbon footprint behind.
Careful consideration must be given to the location, venue, and selection of a caterer who is familiar with sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Waste reduction, management, and environmentally friendly transportation are essential for a sustainable corporate event.
The first critical decision for the event coordinator is to select a venue with established energy-saving features, such as efficient lighting and recycling guidelines that include composting and water conservation measures. If possible, choose an event location that also offers accommodations. This will help to cut transportation costs and energy emissions significantly.
Certification
If you’re looking to verify that your desired event location is indeed following sustainability in its daily practices, it’s easy to confirm.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is recognized as a worldwide certification program. LEED certification demonstrates that the building has met specific sustainability standards that promote more efficient and healthier spaces.
LEED employs a point-based system to evaluate a building’s performance. This certification determines which level of performance the building qualifies for: silver, gold, or platinum.
Other sustainability certifications to consider include the IACC Green Star and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Best. If your venue doesn’t offer these certifications, select the one that most closely fulfils your sustainability requirements.
What Else Should You Consider?
Other essential factors to consider when selecting a venue are its location and accessibility to event attendees.
Ask yourself:
- Are there various environmentally friendly transportation options available for the planned event?
- Will shuttle services be needed for attendees? If so, ensure the shuttles are electric or hybrid vehicles.
- Is the venue within walking or biking distance for a significant number of attendees?
Encourage attendees to consider carpooling to and from the venue location. Consider offering various incentives for traveling in an environmentally friendly manner. Offer discounts or have prize drawings for using eco-friendly travel modes.
Utilizing eco-friendly decor made from recycled or biodegradable materials, rather than single-use plastics, sends a positive message to attendees that careful thought went into planning the decorations.
Arrange with the caterer ahead of time to use eco-friendly tableware, such as reusable plates, cups, and eating and serving utensils, instead of disposable ones. Share tips with attendees in advance on the importance of their contribution to the event’s sustainability by utilizing public transportation and recycling during travel to and from the venue.
In selecting sustainable food and beverages, careful consideration should be given to supporting local businesses in reducing transportation emissions. Locally sourced and seasonal food should be given top priority when contemplating the event menu.
Emphasis should be placed on organic options to minimize the environmental impact of farming practices. If the menu is to include seafood, prioritize fish caught or farmed locally, utilizing environmentally approved methods.
Water
One of the most effective ways to enhance sustainability at an event is to utilize portable hydration stations. These stations ensure that attendees stay hydrated throughout the event and are also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to provide access to clean drinking water. Event organizers opt for portable water stations instead of single-use plastic water bottles, thereby reducing the event’s overall carbon footprint.
Quench Buggy’s mobile water stations offer clean drinking water to groups and events of all kinds. If you’d like to know more about how Quench Buggy can help you make your next event more sustainable, book a quick call to discuss your needs.