How to Maintain an Eco-Friendly Business Model in the Event Industry
In-person events are back which means there’s an opportunity for you to re-evaluate ways to make environment-friendly decisions. In this post, you will learn how to maintain an eco-friendly business model in the event industry, why pre-planning is key, and finish with a list of suggestions for you to follow and share with your co-workers!
What is an Eco-Friendly Business Model and why does it matter?
An eco-friendly business model or green business model sets standards for a company to conduct business in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. In an eco-friendly business model, the choices that minimize a carbon footprint are the priority. According to earthday.org, “Smart companies are discovering that it is no longer a choice between going green and growing long-term profits — sustainability is the path to prosperity.”
Employees at Centrifuge Media use their experience as an advantage to plan efficiently and find solutions that protect the environment.
How to maintain an Eco-Friendly Business Model?
Pre-plan
Pre-planning and having everything in order makes for a sustainable, efficient process.
Centrifuge Media Account Supervisor, Adrienne Bogner, explains how timely client communication and early decision-making are crucial to maintaining a green business model. “Last-minute changes to an event’s plan can cause a domino effect. For example, adding a session can shift the timing of all agenda items, or adding a meeting room can lead to equipment and labor changes.
Communicating with clients and having everything in order before an event, helps to eliminate these last-minute shuffles. Throughout my 10 years of experience in event execution, I have learned the importance of pre-planning and double-checking the details.”
Clear communication during the early stages of planning has an impact on the environment. Firstly, it allows the team to consolidate and promptly ship equipment. Secondly, it avoids rush deliveries. Thirdly, it eliminates stressful last-minute back-and-forth crew travel.
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Local Partnerships
It is common to have multiple events live at once, in multiple locations. Sourcing local partners prevents unnecessary emissions into the environment. From an economic standpoint, this approach also supports the local businesses in each location. It’s a win-win!
Centrifuge Media’s Associate Director of Event Services, Praise Wortham Collins, says, “We always reach out to local partners in the various cities we travel to during our planning process. Having local partners across the country allows us to produce more meetings effectively and cuts down on shipping, whether it’s a planned shipment or last minute.”
Eco-Friendly Shipping
Sourcing a third-party shipping company that aligns with your eco-friendly business model is important. Rather than using your own form of transportation it is more efficient and eliminates toxins in the environment to work with a third-party shipper. Centrifuge Media Operation and Logistics Manager, Will Sanders, says, “Using a company like FedEx is the best option for us because they are already on the road or in the air shipping things to where we need them to go. We try to take advantage of the resources available to us to reduce our carbon footprint. We will send the necessary equipment for each event but if there are things we can source locally we will do so to reduce the load. It is my goal to do everything I can to maintain eco-friendly shipping solutions.”
Day-to-Day Solutions
If you are working in an office or at home, hold yourself accountable for maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyle. If you are a decision-maker, make plans to locate your business in a sustainable office space and encourage your team to make choices that will benefit the environment.
Office Manager/AP Coordinator, Amy Schaller, discusses how Centrifuge Media’s Headquarters is an eco-friendly building and how she chooses to make sustainable day-to-day decisions in the office. “Small changes can create big outcomes. In the office, reducing plastic use is a priority. The breakroom water cooler is connected to the waterline versus bottled water, and we don’t supply single-use cups. Each employee receives a reusable cup for refreshments as a welcome gift. In addition, our office has motion sensor lights that time off when everyone leaves.”
Small changes can create big outcomes.
Amy Schaller
Office Manager
In conclusion, plan as much as you can to prevent tapping into additional resources, partner with reliable eco-friendly businesses, and encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are more ways to go green/stay green in your workspace.
• Unplug equipment that isn’t being used • A hybrid schedule to reduce commuting • Recycle • Limit single-use office supplies • Take advantage of natural light • Plant a company tree and/or an office community garden/bring in office plants
In celebration of Earth Day, here is a sneak peek of a new office project here at HQ!
The Seed Society – Centrifuge Media’s first community garden.
