Ten ways to build more social value into your events

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The ‘S’ in ESG often gets overlooked as event profs struggle to think of ways to build social value into events.

The environment and governance elements of ESG appear to attract more focus than the social in the world of event planning, but that middle letter is just as important as the other two. Impact: Responsible Event Reviews from event:decision are a fast, simple way to benchmark the sustainable performance of your event, within E, S and G. But, if you’re struggling specifically to think of ways to build social value, here are ten questions that will help you focus on the ‘S’ and build more social value in your events.

#1 Are you taking measures to minimise food waste and distribute unwanted event food?

Organisations can collect and re-distribute many types of event food that would otherwise be placed into waste channels. Food can be redistributed to homeless shelters and local families who are struggling in the area of the event. Please do seek these out or contact your venue or us for advice.

#2 Are you measuring the economic impact to the area local to your event?*

Events can be a great way to bring investment to a local area.  Employing local people to help create the event and spend generated by guests and delegates extending their stay locally all has a positive economic impact. You can quantify this investment, using an online tool if you wish. Contact us for more details.

#3 Are you planning a specific external legacy for your event?

Whilst the central ROI of an event is critical, what happens next is also important. What plans could you have to improve engagement and legacy of this specific event? How about donating items to the community or allowing relevant local organisations or educational establishments access your event? Or even setting up a charitable foundation to continue promoting the ethos and purpose of the event long after it has concluded. Consider getting in touch with Event Cycle who can help identify a local organisation who could be a partner or beneficiary of your legacy planning.

#4 Are you specifically considering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in relation to your team, your audiences and within your event planning process?

DEIA is a crucial element of the design, delivery and legacy of all events. Contact Diversity Alliance for guidance on how to address this important element of your event from the initiation stage right through to final delivery.

#5 Are you considering including a project related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within your event live timeline?

Consider contacting the destination’s visitor bureau or your chosen venue for potential CSR projects with which you can build local social benefit associated with your event. Sponsors or Partners may also be keen to align with these initiatives which can add value to the event for them. Or consider Event Cycle which has a network of organisations to reach out to ensure CSR activities are local and relevant to your event and its values.

#6 Does your company have a ‘living wage’ policy for contractors and sub-contractors?

Events often use a series of sub-contractors to deliver. It’s important you ascertain that everyone working on your event is receiving a fair living wage to deliver the event to your satisfaction. Check relevant government or regional information to ensure you are paying a fair local living wage.

#7 Is there any specific provision for your delegates’ physical and mental wellbeing on site?

The mental and physical wellbeing of your guests while attending your event is crucial. For guidance on how to ensure this, contact Stress Matters.

#8 Is there any specific provision for your event delivery team’s physical and mental wellbeing on site?

The mental and physical wellbeing of your own delivery team is just as important as that of your guests and can be overlooked in the drive to put on an event with the highest standards. For guidance on how to ensure this, contact Stress Matters.

#9 Are you specifically incorporating any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) within your event planning process?

Some events link specifically to one of more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals so promote one of more Goals within your event programme. To remind yourself about these, see the UN SDGs

#10 Are you choosing to work with any Social Enterprises to deliver elements of your event?*

There are a good number of social enterprises offering event supply services at price parity. Consider, for example, Connection Crew, who support people who have been affected by homelessness into work by providing training, mentoring and employment opportunities, for any crewing or production needs you may have. (UK only). Or talk to Event Cycle to find organisations in the area around your event.

Impact: Responsible Event Reviews from event:decision are a fast, simple way to benchmark the sustainable performance of your event, within E, S and G. For more details, get in touch.

sustainability in corporate events

Progress on sustainability in events: a corporate perspective

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Recent industry reports reveal a shift in priorities, with sustainability slipping off the immediate corporate agenda.

This change is largely down to budget pressures and the complex decision-making landscape that corporations face. As we reflect on the progress of sustainability in corporate events, it becomes clear that while there are efforts to integrate sustainable practices, significant challenges remain.

Sustainability slipping off the immediate agenda?

Despite the growing awareness and commitment to sustainability, the urgency to implement sustainable practices in corporate events has somewhat waned. The primary reason for this shift is the overarching budget constraints that many corporations are grappling with. As companies navigate the economic uncertainties and tighter budgets, the allocation of resources towards sustainability initiatives often takes a backseat. This is not to say that corporations have completely abandoned their sustainability goals, but that their immediate focus has shifted towards cost-saving measures and financial caution.

The role of corporate decision-making

The responsibility of making sustainable choices in corporate events predominantly falls on the shoulders of the corporations themselves, despite the guidance and recommendations provided by their event agencies. Event agencies play a crucial role in suggesting sustainable practices and highlighting potential benefits, but ultimately, the decision to implement these recommendations rests with their client. This places significant pressure on corporations to balance sustainability with their other business priorities, sometimes leading to compromises.

Benchmarking and policy development phase

Currently, most corporations are in what we see as a phase of sustainability benchmarking and policy development rather than making substantial leaps in sustainability. They are assessing their current practices, identifying areas for improvement, and developing the comprehensive sustainability policies that can be implemented in the future. Benchmarking provides a valuable framework for corporations to measure their sustainability efforts against industry standards and best practices. It also facilitates the identification of gaps and opportunities for improvement, paving the way for more strategic and impactful sustainability initiatives as the economic climate improves.

Challenges in implementing sustainability

The path to achieving sustainability in corporate events requires a reframing of event scope and format, not a re-jig of existing deliverables. Can corporates achieve the same or better ROI with a different mix of in-person & virtual? Should they run more regional events in place of larger prominent global events? There are some great examples of brands achieving both of these. We should support our corporate Eventprof friends in framing this discussion with their stakeholders. After all, many of these discussions are outside the area of expertise of many budget holders. The easy option of on-site and external agency cost-cutting just doesn’t cut the mustard in large-scale sustainability gains.

One challenge is the lack of resources and expertise within corporations to drive sustainable initiatives. While event agencies can provide valuable insights and support, the onus is on corporations to allocate resources and build internal capabilities to manage sustainability. This requires investment in training, hiring sustainability experts, and establishing dedicated teams to oversee their sustainability efforts.

Additionally, there is a notable gap in knowledge and awareness about sustainable practices within the corporate sector. Many corporations are still in the early stages of understanding the full scope of sustainability and its implications for their events. This knowledge gap can hinder the adoption of sustainable practices and slow down progress.

Corporate perspectives on sustainability

Corporates acknowledge the importance of sustainability and express a strong commitment to integrating sustainable practices in their events. However, they also recognise the practical challenges and constraints that they face. For many, the focus is currently on building a strong foundation for future sustainability drives. Corporations are increasingly leveraging benchmarking data to identify best practices and set realistic targets for their sustainability initiatives. This structured approach ensures that when they do implement sustainable practices, they are well-informed and strategically aligned with their overall business objectives.

Strategic initiatives for sustainability

Despite the challenges, there is evidence that corporations are being creative about enhancing sustainability in their events and are open to cost-effective and creative ideas. This graphic shows some recent sustainability ideas which corporates have found effective:

sustainability in corporate events

ICE Corporate Event Planner Research 2024 supported by Cvent

The journey towards sustainability in corporate events is complex. While there has been a shift in immediate priorities due to budget pressures, it is nevertheless the case that corporates remain committed to integrating sustainable practices in the long term. This current phase of benchmarking and policy development is an important step towards achieving this goal. By leveraging data, setting clear goals, and adopting strategic initiatives, companies can navigate the challenges and make meaningful progress in their sustainability journey. As they continue to build a strong foundation for sustainability, the events industry can look forward to a future where sustainable practices are not just an option but a standard.

For more details on how event:decision can help meet your sustainability goals, get in touch.