Meredith Flanagan, CMP Fellow, CMM, CPCE, SEPC’s Post

I'm still buzzing after moderating a panel discussion on sustainable and inclusive events with some amazing and influential event professionals. These are people to know, watch and work with ✨ A few takeaways from our panelists: Keep asking questions and be a "door opener"; not all vendors are as far along in their sustainability journey, and investment and opportunity can expand their access. Event planners are connectors, not only amongst an audience and client/business in the event experience, but within the ecosystem of vendors, especially when advocating for and practicing more sustainable and inclusive approaches. We can't know it all, but we can take steps to do better within our own sustainable and inclusion planning. Check out Universal Design Principles! Be transparent, communicate clearly and often, don't rush relationship building, and give yourself time to create consistent practices. Understanding your event's sustainable impact starts from the early stages of planning; considering the choices you're making regarding potential waste, inclusive menu offerings, and capabilities of your vendor to name a few. Congrats to Ashleyn Przedwiecki (she/her) for designing a truly wonderful and inviting experience!

Read for a fresh perspective 🌍Shifting the Narrative: Highlighting the Positive Impacts of Event Sustainability 📚 In this article, we touch on the discussions at Confex that it's not just about removing the negative but also sharing the positive impacts hosting events can have in relation to event sustainability. 💚 Check it out here and let me know what you think. How do you talk about event sustainability to your audiences? https://loom.ly/oYXaHOc https://loom.ly/oYXaHOc #SustainableEvents #EventPlanning #ShiftingTheNarrative #WavesConnects

As environmental concerns take center stage, the events industry has recognized the need to prioritize sustainability. In addition, the events industry is integrating eco-friendly practices into its planning to reduce the environmental impact of large-scale gatherings. Hence, the current change in the events industry is fuelled by the evolving demands of audience, technology and environment. Read more and I hope you find this read insightful! #eventsindustry #eventsmarketing #growthstrategies #ecofriendly #esgstrategy

So you're planning an event. But is it really sustainable? - The Drum So you're planning an event. But is it really sustainable?  The Drum

Ahead of Cannes next week, we're sharing a multi-faceted update on progress across the Ad Net Zero action plan, including growth to new markets and details on key initiatives - particularly the collaboration with Ad Net Zero, #GARM and stakeholders across the industry to create a Global Media Sustainability Framework (more information on that Monday, June 17th). Read the full program update here: https://lnkd.in/e-nWQUgS As part of this update, and before the busyness of next week, we wanted to spotlight another powerful example of industry collaboration to advance sustainability: The Ad Net Zero US Action 4 Events & Awards group, along with expert guidance from sustainable event non-profit isla, identified a gap and created a curated Sustainable Events Starter Guide. https://lnkd.in/e-cCpG4Q While there are numerous frameworks and more detailed guides focusing on best practices, the group identified a lack of easy-to-use starter resources - and ones that also focus on not just the what but also the why, and how to overcome barriers. This guide provides event professionals and company leaders with beginning, intermediate and advanced considerations and provides the key statistics and case studies to understand the impact of each action. A huge thanks to isla (Kat Bednarczyk, Anna Abdelnoor, Toni Griggs, Alex Softley) for their partnership and the US Action 4 members who gave of their valuable time to make this come to life: John LoPresto with Viant Technology; Radel Huley, Jamey Hardesty, Amanda Grabenhofer, Kanika Khanna, Julien Le Bas with Jack Morton Worldwide; Michaela Washmon with Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity; Kathleen McKay and Renee Bourne with IAB; Patrick Sutton with IAB Tech Lab; Susan Grace with Givsly; Gregg Hamburger with VMG; Aliana Heffernan with Cadent; Frances Sutter with GMR Marketing; Dan Schneider and Kristina Meinig with Alliance for Audited Media; Jana Friedman with PubMatic; Cyd Converse with Mediavine. #sustainableadvertising #climateaction

What does the future hold for trade shows? Dive into predictions on digital integration, sustainability, and attendee engagement in the coming years. #FutureTrends #TradeShowEvolution #MarketingInsights

What does the future hold for trade shows? Dive into predictions on digital integration, sustainability, and attendee engagement in the coming years. #FutureTrends #TradeShowEvolution #MarketingInsights

"What changes count in your event strategy?" This was the key question at Memcom last week during our session "Sustainable events - what needs to change in your strategy?" moderated by our very own Community Director, Ellie Ashton-Melia 🌟 Ellie was joined by an impressive panel: Gemma Savage of ICC Wales, Marchella Mitchell from Wonderly – Strategy | Content | Tech, Haymarket Media Group, and Jessica Letters from The Royal College of Psychiatrists. The panel delved into the essentials of a sustainable events strategy, emphasising the need for actionable data in making environmental decisions. Key takeaways: 👉 Carbon data and decision making: Understanding the carbon footprint of event logistics, such as venue energy use, travel, and F&B choices, is crucial for identifying impactful changes. 👉 Practical steps for improvement: The panel explored how starting with manageable and specific sustainability goals can lead to significant environmental benefits over time. 👉 Balancing stakeholder needs: A sustainable event strategy must consider the needs of members, sponsors, and the planet, striving for solutions that effectively address all fronts. The session offered insight for event professionals looking to integrate sustainability into their event planning processes. By measuring various impacts, from energy consumption to waste production, professionals can make informed decisions. #memcom #eventprofs #eventplanning #eventsustainability

In today’s economy, sustainability is a vital aspect of how you present your business. Here, we explore how you can make your exhibition stand align with modern environmental concerns, benefiting both your business and the planet.