Sustainable events: the new standard that brands can no longer ignore

For years we were looking for wow. Now we are also looking for the how.

How to reduce the impact. How to involve attendees. How to take care of people without giving up experience. Because today, talking about events without talking about sustainability is being left out of the game.

Change is not a trend: it is the new starting point. And more and more brands understand this.

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What does a sustainable event really entail?

There are many ways to label something “eco-friendly”, but few that are truly eco-friendly. For an event to be sustainable, we must look beyond recycled cardboard and compostable cups. Here are three axes that matter:

1. Environment: Reduce what's left over

• Eliminate single-use plastics.
  
• Modular and reusable assemblies.
  
• Providers that use renewable energy
  
• Encourage public transportation, carpooling or electric shuttles.
  

2. People: caring for those who make the event possible

• Hire local production and catering.
  
• Prioritize real well-being: conscious eating, breaks, shade, available water.
  
• Include groups at risk of exclusion when possible.
  

3. Resources: Spend less, but better

• It's not about investing more, but about rethinking every expense.
  
• Do these programs need to be printed? Will that canvas have another life?
  
• How many kilometers does all the materials go to reach the venue?
  

Every decision counts. And the teams that produce know this well.

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How to tell it without sounding like a posture

It's not enough to do it: you have to know how to communicate it. But without overacting.

These keys help to avoid greenwashing and truly connect:

• Say what you did, not what you “believe”.
  Better: “We use 100% reusable scenography” than “Our event is respectful of the planet”.
  
• Explain why each decision was made.
  For example: “We chose zero-kilometer catering to reduce transportation and support local production.”
  
• Involve the assistant.
  From giving the option of refusing the welcome pack to choosing between several causes to donate the excess to.
  
• Share real numbers, even if they are imperfect.
  Communicating that 3.4 tons of CO₂ were compensated is more powerful than talking about a “neutral event”.
  

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Choose suppliers that add (not just deliver)

A good idea can be left half done if it is not accompanied by the right allies. Sustainability begins in the briefing, but is defined in the production chain.

Look for teams that are already working with responsible criteria. Some examples:

• Conscious caterings: plastic-free, with local produce and plant-based options.
  
• Producers that optimize: they reuse structures, minimize transport and create scenography that doesn't end up in a container.
  
• Efficient tech providers: LED lighting, rechargeable batteries, energy efficient sound.
  
• Spaces that get wet: with solar panels, intelligent waste management and clear sustainability policies.
  

Sometimes, the provider that is not the cheapest, but the one who knows how to tell you “this is not necessary”, is the one that takes the most care of you.

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Checklist: 10 points for sustainable production

If you're designing an event and want to make sure you're on the right track, here's a basic checklist. Don't do everything. Do what makes sense. But do it with intention.

• Venue with active sustainable policies.
• Reusable or modular mounts.
• Disposal of single-use plastics.
• Local, seasonal and unsurpassed catering.
• Incentives for public transport.
• Production equipment with ethical criteria.
• Rest and wellness spaces for staff and attendees.
• Calculated carbon footprint (and offset if possible).
• Suppliers aligned with sustainable values.
• Transparent and smoke-free communication.