Sustainability has become a vital focus in event planning, as organizers and attendees alike seek to minimize their environmental footprint. With growing awareness around climate change and the impact of large gatherings, event managers are prioritizing green practices to create more sustainable meetings and conferences. eShow is committed to supporting sustainability in events through innovative tools and strategies designed to reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and promote eco-friendly practices.
In this blog post, we will highlight eShow’s commitment to sustainability and how event planners can create greener meetings.
The Importance of Sustainability in Event Management
Environmental Impact of Events
Events such as conferences, trade shows, and exhibitions can have a significant environmental impact. Factors like energy consumption, waste production, and transportation emissions contribute to an event’s carbon footprint. According to the Events Industry Council, the average conference attendee generates just over 4 lbs. of waste per day, of which 2.55 lbs. is landfill materials. Addressing these challenges is essential to mitigate the negative effects on the environment.
Benefits of Sustainable Events
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Implementing sustainable practices helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the event’s overall carbon footprint.
- Cost Savings: Sustainability can lead to cost savings by reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and promoting resource efficiency.
- Aligning Brand with Sustainability: Committing to sustainable practices demonstrates social responsibility, helping to align the event with the organizer’s environmental brand values and sustainability.
- Give Back to the Local Community: Sustainable events can also create a positive impact on local communities by donating leftover food and supplies or offering attendees the option to offset their carbon footprint by donating to support local environmental causes in the area.
eShow’s Commitment to Sustainability
eShow recognizes the importance of sustainability in event management and offers a range of products and services designed to support green meetings. Here are some of the ways eShow’s tools promote sustainability:
1. Digital Event Management Tools
Going digital is one of the most effective ways to reduce an event’s environmental impact. eShow’s Digital Event Management tools help organizers transition to paperless operations by providing digital solutions for registration, session management, and communication.
Example: By using eShow’s platform for digital registration and ticketing, event organizers can eliminate the need for some printed materials. Attendees can access all event information via digital platforms, reducing paper waste and printing costs.
2. Mobile Event App
The Mobile Event App from eShow is designed to enhance attendee engagement while promoting sustainability. The app provides a digital hub for event information, schedules, maps, and networking opportunities.
Example: Event organizers can upload all event-related materials to the app, ensuring that attendees have instant access to the latest information while significantly reducing paper usage. Push notifications and in-app messages can be used to communicate with attendees in real-time, reducing the need for printed signage and schedules.
3. Virtual and Hybrid Event Solutions
Virtual and hybrid events are inherently more sustainable than fully in-person events, as they reduce the need for travel and associated carbon emissions. eShow’s Virtual Event Platform supports hybrid and fully virtual events, providing tools for live streaming, virtual exhibitor booths, and online networking.
Example: By offering a hybrid format, event organizers can attract a wider audience while minimizing the environmental impact of travel. Virtual attendees can participate in real-time or on-demand sessions, reducing the carbon footprint associated with in-person attendance.
4. Sustainable Exhibit Management
Exhibitions and trade shows are known for generating significant waste, especially in terms of booth materials, printed collateral, and giveaways. eShow’s Exhibit Management tools help exhibitors reduce their environmental footprint by offering digital lead retrieval and sponsor management.
Example: Exhibitors can use eShow’s digital lead retrieval tools to capture attendee information electronically, reducing the need for printed business cards or brochures. Additionally, digital exhibitor kits reduce the waste associated with printed materials and promote a more sustainable approach to exhibiting.
5. Advanced Data Analytics for Future Event Planning
eShow’s Registration Management platform provides valuable data through attendee feedback and surveys, and app engagement, which event planners can leverage to improve future events. By analyzing attendee responses and engagement patterns, organizers can make informed decisions that lead to more efficient resource allocation and better attendee experiences.
Example: Event planners can collect and analyze feedback through post-event surveys or the Mobile App to gauge which sessions were the most engaging. Using this data, they can adjust the structure of future events—whether it’s refining session topics, reworking room layouts, or allocating resources to areas that saw the most interaction. This process helps prevent waste and ensures resources are focused on areas that maximize attendee satisfaction and event success.
6. Green Reporting and Feedback Collection
Sustainability reporting is an essential practice for green events, helping organizers track their environmental impact and identify areas for improvement. eShow’s platform offers tools for feedback collection and reporting, allowing organizers to measure the success of their sustainability efforts.
Example: After the event, use eShow’s tools to distribute surveys that gather feedback on sustainability initiatives. The data collected can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of green practices and make data-driven improvements for future events.
Best Practices for Creating Sustainable Events
To maximize the benefits of eShow’s sustainability tools, event organizers should adopt the following best practices:
1. Promote Digital Alternatives
Encourage attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors to use digital alternatives wherever possible. Use the Mobile Event App for sharing information and networking, and offer digital lead retrieval options for exhibitors.
2. Optimize Energy Use
Work with venues that use renewable energy sources and have energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. Encourage exhibitors to use energy-efficient displays and lighting.
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Implement waste reduction strategies such as recycling stations, compost bins, and reusable materials. Use eShow’s digital tools to minimize printed materials and promote recycling among attendees.
4. Choose Sustainable Suppliers
Partner with suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Opt for eco-friendly catering, decor, and transportation services to reduce the event’s overall carbon footprint.
Embrace Sustainability with eShow
Sustainability in events is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. By leveraging eShow’s suite of tools and best practices, event organizers can create greener, more efficient events that align with the growing demand for eco-friendly experiences. From digital event management and mobile apps to virtual platforms and sustainable exhibit solutions, eShow offers comprehensive support for hosting environmentally responsible events.To learn more about how eShow can help you host sustainable events, book a demo today.