Adding Social Value and Impact to Events: A Guide for #Eventprofs

How to make a positive social impact with your event?

Event planning isn’t just about logistics, delegates ROI and profit margins. Every event has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the community in which it is hosted. But with so much focus on the E in ESG(carbon calculations and sustainability), social elements often get overlooked. Here are some ideas and suggestions on how you could think differently about social value and impact for events

Charity partnerships

Ticket donations: give attendees the option to purchase an extra ticket that will be donated to a local charity.

‘Auction for Good’: hold an auction with items or experiences donated by sponsors, with proceeds going to a local charitable cause such as a hospice or a home for the elderly.

Community engagement

Local artisan marketplaces: partner with local artisans and vendors to create a marketplace at your event. Not only supporting local businesses but also encouraging attendees to shop responsibly.

Civic talks and workshops: offer spaces for public panels or talks on topics of social importance (like mini TED talks) like climate change, mental health, or homelessness – and how delegate contributions can support good work.

Social enterprise collaboration

Fair trade catering: many social enterprises offer catering services with a social mission. Using one for your event amplifies your social impact so make sure you talk to your venue about any local organisations you can connect with.

Skill building: team up with any social enterprises that offer workshops aimed at skill development, like woodworking or cooking and offer to host some sessions at the event.

Some event:decision favourites

We’ve worked with many organisations that continue to have an incredible social impact at events over the years. Here are a few of our favourites:

Connection Crew : a social enterprise providing teams of people to solve production challenges across a range of sectors including events, TV and film, Connection Crew supports those who have experienced, or been at risk, of homelessness to access training, mentoring and jobs.

Event Cycle : can collect any unwanted or left over event materials from your site and arrange for them to be repurposed with charities, community groups, schools and social enterprises, in the UK and abroad. They will then tell you where they went, so you know who you have helped.

Page & Bloom : produce handmade paper flowers for venue and event decoration, supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Flowers and arrangements can be made from your own company’s literature.

Elevate Mentoring : a free mentoring programme and community for the events industry. Their NewGen project supports under-represented young people into the events industry.

Measurement

It’s important when you think about social value and impact for events to also consider about how you could track how your impact has developed and improved over time, luckily event:decision’s coming tool impact can help you do exactly that.

If you’d like to find out more about how we could measure and advise on your event ESG goals, including its social impact get in touch.