m&e’s 2020 future trends report placed sustainability as a top concern for the events industry this year, and it’s easy to see why.

as we place ever more importance on ‘buying green’, companies are looking for ways to stand out to environmentally conscious consumers. they also want to make their events attractive to delegates who are increasingly aware of the impact travelling to large-scale conferences is having on their surroundings.

emphasising sustainability in the events industry is a win-win in this respect - you reduce emissions generally to help you establish green credentials, and delegates are attracted by your event’s specific commitment to respect for the environment.

add international is dedicated to supporting clients with the sustainability of their events. if you’re planning your next conference, we’ve outlined some tips below.

consider running a virtual event

if there’s one thing we’ve learned from 2020, it’s that attending a virtual event can be just as productive, useful and enjoyable as being there in person. as well as offering a flexible alternative to in-person events, virtual events can be accessed by a much wider audience.

virtual events can also reduce your environmental footprint significantly, though a reduction of emissions and non-recyclable waste. for a more sustainable event experience, you could therefore consider either an entirely virtual event or take a hybrid approach - where there are a few live attendees with a much bigger audience participating online.

malga, brought to you by add international, provides a cutting-edge platform that will take your virtual event far beyond the average zoom meeting. treat your guests to everything an in-person conference would offer, including interactive workshops, an exhibition floor, networking functions, and even a virtual goody bag to take home.

reduce the impact of in-person events.

if you want to run an in-person event, there are numerous small actions you can take to make things more sustainable. these actions will also help you reduce the environmental footprint of your hybrid events considerably. 

location

while in some cases, international travel might be unavoidable (if you’re a large multinational with bases in several countries, for example), consider whether somewhere closer to home could be a good option for your event.

by keeping things nearby, you’ll reduce transport-related emissions, and can use your company’s buying power to support the local economy through uncertain times.

carbon offsetting

there are a number of calculators online that will help you work out how much carbon your event will generate and how much this would cost to offset. the money you pay then funds sustainable carbon reduction projects in developing countries.

whilst sometimes criticised by some as a ‘get out of jail free’ card, carbon offsetting has its place when used alongside other sustainability measures. companies, who carbon offset, typically reduce their overall direct emissions by 17%.

waste and plastics

you could consider reusable objects like tote bags, water bottles or bamboo coffee cups as merchandise, instead of plastic-based items, or perhaps provide delegates away with an entirely virtual goody bag.

more generally, take a look at ways to reduce the waste your event generates - you could consider only using suppliers whose packaging is recyclable, for example, or hiring caterers who focus on locally-sourced ingredients and produce.

add international is committed to supporting businesses with their events, combining state-of-the-art technology with real-world events experience to capture your audience’s imagination while offering solutions for sustainability.

Please get in touch to find out more.