In this Issue:
Going Green With Virtual Events
This fall we will be hosting our first conference for nonprofits focused on social media, technology and messaging. While the initial planning phase was a classic case of the cobblers children not having any shoes, we've got our stride and off to a strong start.
We want this event to be exciting, inspiring, useful and most importantly available to a broad audience of leaders across the country. Knowing that the economy has impacted the nonprofit sector especially hard, we decided the event will be virtual in nature. We are offering a full day of speakers, networking, and exhibitors from the convenience of your desktop. The works, without any need for travel!
While we have produced webinars and teleseminars in the past, a conference is much grander and complex in scale. As we put all of the pieces together we hope to leverage some of the offline practices for live events in an effort to produce more eco-friendly events.
Please stay tuned for announcements about the conference in November and as you think about your events for the fall, check out the tips in the article below.
Have a great summer!
Vanessa
Event Planning Is Going Green
Your next special event could be nothing but a waste-- literally! So many professional events are a waste of recyclable materials and food, with a focus on what is convenient and temporary. Every event with your company's name attached reflects back on you. Let your guests and clients take note that your company is a socially responsible organization.
Professional event planning firms are reinventing the disposable nature of conferences, symposiums, and banquets into more environmentally conscious events.
Experienced planners have the experience to plan and execute any event, and the best contacts and resources for any need. Here are just some ideas to consider to help your next function be a little greener.
Reducing the Paper Trail
We kill a lot of trees when it's time to plan and hold just about any occasion. From invitations to printed handouts for attendees the recyclable material adds up. Although slightly more expensive, post-consumer recycled paper can be used for mailings, fliers, and handouts. For events that have an extremely high quantity of handouts consider using a digital download service so that attendees can have access to presentations or documents electronically.
Decorations with a Double Purpose
For floral arrangements, consider using bulb arrangements or other centerpieces that are re-planted after the event is over. Minimize the need for fresh cut flowers and compensate with an interesting artistic vase or vessel. Gift your floral arrangements to a local hospital or hospice to extend the enjoyment from the flowers. If you are in New York or Los Angeles, contact FlowerPowerFoundation.org. to make arrangements to have your flower arrangements re-purposed for hospital patients.
Fabulous, Farm Fresh Food
Going green with a menu can be tough. Smart event organizers hire catering services that patron local farms and food providers for food supplies. This cuts down on shipping costs associated with food items grown in far off locations.
Contact the local food pantry or homeless shelter to inquire about donating left over food. It's important to learn requirements well before the event to avoid any food safety concerns. Many charitable organizations that feed the hungry will even send someone to pick up the food donation after the event is over.
Favors of the Future
The main goal of many events, corporate or non-profit, is to advertise. Corporate events are famous for plastic clutter smothered with logos. Encourage networking with legitimate exchanges of contact information instead of flimsy plastic souvenirs. Instead of plastic bags, consider using eco-friendly bags.
Other organizations have arranged drawings for charitable donations or gift certificates to collect business cards. Your event planner can also suggest other promotional items that fit in with a green theme. For example, there are now companies offering promotional seed packets for you to advertise your business. There is also paper where companies print any message you want in soy ink, and there are seeds in the pulp. After the event is over, recipients can plant the paper and see what grows!
There are many ways to go green when planning your next event. While there are environmentally-friendly products and services for almost any occasion, a few will save some green in the budget, and others will not. A professional event planning firm can work with your organization to make the best green decisions for your event and budget. Hosting a green event will underscore desirable qualities in your business or organization, such as responsibility, integrity, and showcase your corporate creativity. So if you're still looking for a theme for your next corporate event, think about making it "Go Green!"
News Around the Net
Even in the midst of a recession going green is still a big buzz.
The Ecopreneurist.com gives us 10 ways to cut business cost, while
Small Business Trends spills the beans on how Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs plays into green business.
Tools and Resources
Wondering what your carbon footprint was for your last event? Check out this Carbon Calculator provided by Doubletree Hotel.
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