Greener Events in Practice

CHAPTER 12Chapter 12Greener Events in PracticeLearning ObjectivesHow to separate theory from practiceHow to take initiativeHow to turn challenges into opportunitiesHow to research global trends to create best practices for your local economyHow to unite staff, stakeholders, suppliers, and attendeesHow to tell your story through research and reportingCHAPTER 12Opening ActivityPresent online marketing strategies for farmer’s markets.What real-life challenges might you face when implementing this plan?CHAPTER 12Take the First Step“Try to make sustainability appealing and fun—it’s the only way to ensure people are engaged in it.” (Bruce MacMillan, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), interview, August 2010)CHAPTER 12The Armory, home to Oregon’s Portland Center Stage, is a spectacular venue for Greener events. Courtesy of Portland Center Stage.Take the First Step“Give yourself time. Don’t be too over eager. Keep a diary, and take notes as you go. Be open, be innovative.” (Kimberly Lewis, USGBC, interview, May 2010)“It takes some courage to make the first step to be innovative, but don’t be afraid to make the first move.” (John Graham, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), interview, May 2010)CHAPTER 12Think Globally, Act Locally“Our members freely offer green event innovations to each other, and I cannot think of a single ISES member who has not incorporated a number of these new practices into their business models.” (Kevin Hacke, International Special Events Society, interview, October 2010)CHAPTER 12Turn Challenges into Opportunities“We want to make sure that we’re not only doing the minimum, we’re pushing the bar every year.” (Kimberly Lewis, (USGBC), interview, May 2010)CHAPTER 12Unite“Sourcing local food and gathering sustainable resources are important, but creating a dialogue at the pre-event planning meeting to suggest how to green the event process from the start is critical.” (Richard Aaron, BizBash Media, interview, October 2010)CHAPTER 12At The Big Tent, EventScotland provided reusable wooden signs that used actual plants to spell out “Scotland.”Tell Your story“The power of the face to face interaction is what our industry is about, but meetings and events need to minimize their carbon footprints by taking proactive steps now. “Write down your event’s environmental strategy and then measure your success against that. Having a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish is the key to getting it done.” (Arlene Campbell, Allstream Centre, interview, August 2010)CHAPTER 12Green FestivalCheck out www.greenfestivals.org.How can you get involved?CHAPTER 12Capstone ProjectProduce a greener meeting or event that features sustainable approaches toTransportationWaste managementEnergy and waterCuisine and décorVenue and vendorsEquality and accessibilityCHAPTER 12Capstone ProjectCreate the followingStrategic Green Plan with KPIsRisk assessmentMarketing strategyEvaluation methodsProduce the eventReport on your successCHAPTER 12