| Sustainability is here to stay. So what information do | | | | green products cheaper than the alternatives - such |
| event planner's need to know before making the | | | | as branded paper products. A 2009 Mintel survey |
| commitment to 'Go Green'? Read on to find out | | | | forecasts 19% growth for green products by 2013 |
| what our top 5 suggestions are: | | | | based on this factor, making your goals to go green |
| 1. Many shades of Green | | | | more affordable and attainable. |
| First of all, you need to understand that there are | | | | 4. Be aware of the benefits |
| many shades of 'green'. i.e. people have different | | | | There are various benefits associated with going |
| expectations of what exactly classifies as 'green'. | | | | green. Some of these include; - Reduced |
| While one client may be satisfied using recycled | | | | environmental impact - Cost savings - Competitive |
| paper, another may demand an entire stage set built | | | | advantage / promotional benefits - Stakeholder |
| of sustainable material. Ensure that you do your | | | | satisfaction. Bottom line - going green has economic, |
| research and understand what ethics and values are | | | | cost saving, environmental and social benefits. |
| important to your client or key stakeholders, and | | | | 5. Process makes perfect! |
| ensure you are able to meet their needs. | | | | When going green it is important you establish |
| 2. People are not mind readers | | | | commitment. Develop realistic guidelines / objectives |
| If you make the decision to go green, you need to | | | | (eg. all of our events for 2010 will use recycled |
| make it known! Be sure to include this fact in your | | | | conference bags) and communicate these promises |
| event marketing. Show your stakeholders what you | | | | to your staff and stakeholders. |
| are doing to be more greener and how being more | | | | In summary, it is a known fact that the events |
| sustainable is of value for them! But make sure you | | | | industry is often criticised for it's tendency to create |
| follow it through. According to The Drum, 81% of | | | | waste. Therefore it is inevitable that the issue of |
| consumers place more importance on what | | | | sustainability is becoming more than just a trend for |
| companies actually do rather than what they say. | | | | our industry, but rather a necessity. |
| 3. Prices of premium green products are decreasing | | | | It seems that green is the new black. By going |
| A major obstacle for most companies in the past has | | | | green, you are not only ensuring the longevity of our |
| been the extra cost associated with these green | | | | planet, but also that of our profession. |
| products. Well good news is, there are already some | | | | |