The Green Future
I was recently featured in CEI writing about “Green Events in 2013”
(original text)
Sustainable events in 2013
Around the world event communities were buzzing with the news of the release of ISO 20121 Event Sustainability System, everywhere except here that is…Over the last 7 years I have watched the progression as the multinationals’ headquarters based in the US and Europe dictated that all events should have a sustainable factor to them. At first there was nothing… then slowly the satellite offices aroundAsiastarted ‘greening’ their events. In 2009/10 there was a flurry of green activity. Seemingly every event had a green component some were even centered totally around the concept and branded as a “Green Event”. It was end of 2010 that I proposed a sustainable element to an ongoing annual event for a client and their response was “No we already did that”. I politely pointed out sustainability was an ‘ongoing thing’ and ‘environmentally sustainable’ was mentioned on their website as a ‘core value’. “No, we want to do something fun.” was the reply. I wondered if inAsia‘green events’ was nothing but a fad.
Over the past two years during the poor economy I have noticed less spotlight on sustainable events and more attention on the bottom line and budget control. Sustainability seems to have lost the limelight. Until you look a little closer, then you find there are many industry leaders and back of house ‘green ninjas’ that have infiltrated the process and although they don’t push the ‘green gospel’ they do bring sustainability in their own way, making responsible choices where they can. These planners and producers realize that the power lay in their hands. These are the ones that hold the ultimate power in the event world. They control the budget. They make buying recommendations, they are the ones with spending power. They are the ones that lead from behind to create real sustainability and not just green washing. These are our industry leaders.
In 2013 as the event industry market inAsiamatures, as education becomes paramount and experience becomes more valued than ever, it will be the leaders who understand the value of sustainable practices that will thrive. Systems like ISO 20121, services like Feeding HK and products from the ever growing rental market will help to make sustainable practices an easier and integral part of the management of events. I see sustainable events coming back into fashion. No longer will these events be neutral earthy tones with pictures of leaves and smiling faces. These “Green Events” will be indistinguishable from any other event because this time sustainability will become part of the processes from start to finish.
Robert Rogers, CSEP
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