How to Create a Sustainable Event

February 26, 2018

Katie Cook

Katie Cook is the Marketing Communications Specialist for Expo Logic, an event registration company that works with clients worldwide to provide innovative registration and lead retrieval services.

Events can cause considerable waste and a significant consumption of resources, like electricity and water. With the impact events can have on communities that host them and on the environment, event planners want to be mindful of this impact and increase sustainability efforts at events.

First, we must understand the environmental, economic and social impact of the event before we can find ways to incorporate sustainability. Once you have identified the impact of your event, this can inspire ways for your event and its attendees to give back or go green. For example, your event can choose to create a mobile app version of the show guide instead of having a printed program to save paper and be conscious of the environment.

Here are some other ways to make your event more sustainable and environmental friendly:

 

  • Encourage attendees to carry a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day. This will eliminate the need to purchase bottled water and reduce the amount of waste created by your event goers.

 

  • Reuse whatever materials possible. Badge holders, lanyards and ribbons are all items that can be collected and reused at your next events. Don’t miss this opportunity to recycle!

 

  • Influence your exhibitors and sponsors to use recyclable materials or use branded materials that are not event specific. Instead of throwing away branded items because they have last year’s date on them, leave this off the branded material so it can be used later.

 

  • Choose venues that are committed to clean energy. If possible, choose an event venue that shares your vision of sustainability and has taken steps to use clean energy or limit energy waste.

 

  • Try going “zero waste.” Cut down on the amount of waste created by your event and its attendees. The main way to create a “zero waste” event is to offer composting for uneaten food.

 

  • Buy local materials, food and beverages. Use local vendors and business owners from the community to provide items for your event whenever possible.

 

  • Work with local charities for left-over or reusable items. Organize donations of left-over food with a local food bank or shelter and speak to other local charities about donating reusable items.

 

In addition to helping the environment and giving back to the community, adding sustainability initiatives at your event can benefit you as well. Event sustainability will help to engage stakeholders and maybe entice others to participate. This will also reduce inefficiency, enhance the attendee experience and improve satisfaction at your event.

Implementing changes to increase sustainability and how “green” your event is can seem overwhelming. There are many ways to reduce, reuse and recycle at events but it’s important to not get ahead of yourself. It could take a few years for your event to properly implement these new standards and practices but there is no harm in taking it one step at a time.

To increase event sustainability, it is important for show organizers, vendors, sponsors and everyone involved to work together toward reducing the impact.

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NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact
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