Top tips to create sustainable events

We are thrilled to announce that Synergy Effect has been awarded an EcoVadis Gold medal ranked in the top three per cent of similar event management companies globally for sustainability – encompassing environmental, labour and human rights, ethics and culture.

Traditional major events and conferences, which see all presenters and delegates fly to one site, leave a significant carbon footprint. In fact, research has found the annual carbon footprint for the global event industry is of the same order of magnitude as the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of the entire United States and responsible for more than 10% of global CO2 emissions (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research).

However, bringing your people together to align them with strategy, build culture and connection, launch new products, reward, recognise and celebrate is a business imperative. So how to harmonise this need in a more sustainable way?

Here, I sat down with my co-Director of Synergy Effect, Michael Fleck, to hear his top tips for creating more sustainable events.

1.?????Clearly define sustainability and create objectives flowing from this

Sustainability is often perceived as only environmental factors.?However, using the United Nation’s sustainability definition, the concept is comprised of three pillars: social inclusion,?governance, and the environment.?

“We should be looking for ways to make business operations and strategies - including events - more inclusive, driven by social and cultural awareness, while at the same time lessening the environmental impact and helping our people to better connect with nature,” said Michael.

2.?????Future-forward your events by switching to multi-site hybrid and online

Traditional events held in one location are, for operational reasons, exclusive rather than inclusive. There is too high a cost – in both dollar figures and time away from main work – for all your people to attend. Not to mention the carbon impact from flying and transporting all your people into one location. The solution? Multi-site hybrid and online events – and I promise you, they work when they’re done right.

Online events

So, what did Michael have to say about online? “Online has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of events by 95%, and by its nature, online is far more inclusive. However, we’re all familiar with Zoom Fatigue – and organisations must guard against this”.

“You need to ensure the online platform you are using is truly engaging. Our Synergy Effect e:volve online event environment pairs dynamic 3D animation technology with TV broadcasting techniques and has been designed to be an immersive and fully engaging brand experience”.

Multi-site hybrid

But it is with multi-site hybrid events where Michael – and our entire team at Synergy Effect - truly believe the future of events lies.

“Simultaneous in-person events in multiple key locations where your people are, all joined to experience the same presentations, brand activations and engagement elements. Core to this are our 3D, 360-degree sets which allow virtual presenters to be beamed in to join in-person presenters on the same stage. Plus the option for guests to also attend online through our e:volve platform – creating greater inclusion and reach, while cutting down drastically on the carbon footprint associated with flights, event transport, and more. This is the future of events.” said Michael.

One recent event we created for a pharmaceutical industry client saw more than 6000 delegates located in 15 cities in eight countries attend four different events over three days with presentations from 13 international speakers. The result? Greater inclusion than any event previously, incredible feedback from presenters, guests and our client and outstanding ROI. Read more about this event HERE.

#ForPeopleForPlanet

By?Ruth Hirst,

Director at Synergy Effect

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