AviaDev Sustainability Charter 2023

Last year, we published our sustainability charter for the first time. It’s important to us and our partners and attendees that we continue to work hard to reduce our environmental impact.

The aviation industry is arguably working harder than any other to develop new fuels, more efficient aircraft and engines and the topic is no longer confined to the last session of the event.

As an event serving the African aviation industry, which connects people, businesses and cultures, we are delighted to share how we are making the 2023 AviaDev event as sustainable as possible. Our aim is to minimise our impact on the environment whilst maximising our impact on the communities we serve.

Local labour. Our Staging and audio-visual team comes from Nairobi, as does our photographer and videographer, maximising our impact on the local economy

Staging. The majority of the construction is an electronic screen, which is entirely reusable. The additional signage that is being made from wood will be recycled into furniture post-event

No delegate bags. The event industry has moved away from paper-based handouts and flyers and this year there is no need to produce a delegate bag. Any items we have had produced, including the AviaDev run t-shirt are made in Kenya. ?

Electronic delegate guide. Our programme, speaker information and delegate guide can be found via the event APP and will not be printed.

Glass water bottles throughout the event. These are reused, recycled and avoid plastic waste.

Minimised stand building. Our attending exhibitors bring a simple background wall or pop up banner that is portable and can be reused at other events.

Digital signage. We are lucky that our venue has invested in digital signage, so we are reducing the ?which removes the need to print and create large amounts of physical signage

Supporting local charities. Each year, we organise a run/walk in aid of a local charity and this year is no different. We are supporting the Young Aviators Club if Africa (YACA) and will raise over $6,000, enabling the team to start work on building the first Aviation library/ resource centre in Kenya

Outreach. Each year, we partner with a local Organisation to deliver a day of outreach activities. This year we are supporting YACA with a programme at the East African School of Aviation

Supporting the next generation. The AviaDev Ambassador programme was devised to offer aviation students and enthusiasts with the opportunity to gain real world experience. The 3 winners of our competition will be an active part of the AviaDev onsite team, gain real work experience.

Additionally, they will have the opportunity to address the industry from the stage, raising their profile and opening the door to new opportunities

Considering the delegate’s physical health. Our food offering is chosen to offer healthy alternatives and our morning run offers delegates the opportunity to exercise during the event

We know we can still do more, but I believe that great ideas spread and we encourage other event organisers to consider their own efforts and see if they can also make small improvements that can make a huge difference.?

If there's anything else you can think we can do, please let me know!