Why Green Is A Critical Color For Corporate Event Planners

How important is sustainability in the world of corporate event planners these days? According to an annual survey of global meeting and event professionals, increasingly so. The platform Future Watch indicates that more than 40% of these event planners say they are totally committed to weaving that shade of green into the body of their events.

Environmental responsibility has been cited as a significant challenge by top corporate CEOs around the world in other recent surveys. While there may not be such a strong push toward the regulation of carbon emissions in our delicate economy these days, organizations nevertheless see the benefit - both from an internal and an external perspective - of going green.

Corporate event planners who work for very environmentally conscious clients need to be able to go the extra distance and make sure that they apply stringent standards throughout their own supply chain. In other words this means that they have to reach out to venue providers, such as hotels to see just how environmentally responsible they are, in turn. The planners need to be able to incorporate the use of elements that recognize the value of sustainability. They need to be able to use renewable fuel sources where at all possible.

Many events use high levels of disposables and recycling simply must be a top priority. Organic foods should be selected for banquet functions and waste should be avoided at all costs. For example, bottles of water should not be set out for participants as a matter of course, but should be available as and when needed.

Many forward reaching venues are going out of their way to ensure that they are sustainable. They realize that their clients in turn demand this and make sure that they trumpet the availability of energy saving initiatives and other sustainable practices.

Corporate event planners have to tread a very delicate line between the greenback and the green meeting. Budgets are under a lot of pressure and financial conformity does not always, automatically, walk in lockstep with the need to be sustainable.

It's certainly a good idea for event planners to familiarize themselves with all current and emerging trends in this area and to be ready and willing to incorporate environmentally responsible elements. Its no longer gimmicky or "cool" but an integral part of the industry. Ignore at your peril, but tread cautiously to make sure that you don't make any hasty declarations or assumptions!