New White Paper Dives Deep Into Sustainability in Meetings and Events

November 26, 2018

The United Nations defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, there has been some murkiness as to what exactly that means with regard to events and what the definition of sustainability is for the events industry. 

U.K.-based meetings and events company BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has put together a "Green White Paper" that attempts to help put an industry wrapper around the concept. Fueled by survey data, the paper discusses the differences between “green meetings,” corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and sustainability systems. 

BCD starts with a disclaimer, stating that there is currently no clear set of guidelines for sustainability. The organization’s revised goal for this whitepaper is to get people thinking and talking about how the meetings and events industry can become more engaged with sustainable efforts, and provide some simple tools that can make a difference. 

Sustainability issues covered include:

  • Climate change
  • Water conservation and quality
  • Solid waste
  • Human rights
  • Health and safety

The paper offers suggestions for best practices in a variety of areas within events, including experience design, audio-visual and production, catering, venue and accommodations and travel. It also includes a list of key questions to ask from the very beginning of the event planning process to ensure that sustainability is incorporated in a manageable way. 

Statistics shared in the paper may open some show organizers’ eyes. For example, when planning a meal for 500 attendees, serving chicken rather than beef can save 628,000 liters (165,900 gallons) of water.

BCD believes that meetings and event professionals have the power to facilitate change and that through knowledge sharing, promotion of innovation and increased personal interactions and engagement, we can all make a difference. 

Drawing upon best practice examples, the organization has created a list of steps to take to get started on the path to sustainable events and curated a short list of “quick-start” ideas. It also posits future developments and needed areas of innovation and focus.

The focus on sustainable events is only continuing to grow. According to a 2018 study referenced in the paper, 61 percent of UK event professionals have seen an increase in the importance of CSR over the past 12 months. And WRAP has launched the UK Plastics Pact with the ambition of making 100 percent of plastic packaging in the UK reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

BCD suggests that event planners start with the basics, asking questions such as:

  • What sustainability issues do you care about?
  • How can and do you act on your sustainability values as an event professional?
  • Can you measure the impact that your actions have?

Starting with strategic goals can help event organizers avoid being overwhelmed by all the areas where change can be implemented. From there, BCD suggests additional questions that can be posited to help build a business case for sustainability.

The full “The Green White Paper: Sustainability in Meetings and Events” report is available for complimentary download HERE.

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.