This month’s topic for the MeetGreenChat sparked creative examples on how you execute sustainable event branding. This is a very large topic that we tackled in the tweet chat and I am sure we will discuss it again. Read on to find out what we learned from one another.
What elements are included in your event branding?
A1: Onsite signage of all sorts plays a big role! #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A1 Look at all visual materials – colours, styles, décor at event to ensure it is consistent with client objectives and theme #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A1 Super critical to all #branding is having consistent and clear messaging. Event-side it is especially important to ensure that you get out in front of your target audience with visuals and copy that maps to your larger event focus #meetgreenchat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
Many companies and govt agencies are trying to map progress to the #SDGs #GlobalGoals so you can map your #Greenevent strategy to the goals as well #MeetGreenChat
— Jaime Nack (@jaimenack) April 3, 2019
How do you promote your company’s image or brand at an event?
A2 Usually have a board or similar describing sustainable elements of event. It's important for attendees to see that sustainability is considered so they will take that expectation to other events that they go to #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A2: Digital signage is my preferred avenue : )) #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A2: Plenary screens with logos, monitors mounted or on stands. #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A2: 2/2 Similar to welcoming a friend to your home, it's all about first impressions so I ensure that the image and brand are polished and front and center at ever point of interaction, without being over-saturated. It's all about subtle but powerful impact #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
How can you promote a brand sustainably at an event?
A3 NOT with giveaways that are likely to end up as waste! #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A3: Hopefully by taking into account the full impact of your branding: what it is printed on, what happens to it post-show, etc #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A3. Reducing waste wherever possible is key. Utilizing sustainable materials and digital communication are two common avenues. #meetgreenchat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) April 3, 2019
A3) To sustainably promote your event, you can use electronic advertising in transportation hubs (airport, train station, bus station, etc.) and once you get on site, take advantage of electronic signs in the hotel or convention center. #MeetGreenChat
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A3: 1/2 The brand's interaction and comfort level with it's sustainable activates are central to how you treat communicating/promoting event-side. I find the best treatment is up-leveling sustainability to be considered as a design factor and aesthetic. #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
By walking the talk. Interestingly, 24% of organisations with sustainability mandates do not implement sustainable practices for their events. Small things like not handing out plastic cups help promoting the brand #meetgreenchat pic.twitter.com/A3J3HnKW6r
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) April 3, 2019
What types of sustainable signage options are available to use?
A4 Obviously electronic first where possible – LED screens, etc – to reduce materials use #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A4 We found bamboo pull up stands for conferences and exhibitions that we love 😍 #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
These are our company branded pull up stands. The structure is bamboo, which means it is light (easy for the team to lug around) and reusable. #MeetGreenChat pic.twitter.com/3zyOpZusJl
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A4: Much much less than we would like : ))…if electronic is not an option, cardboard is preferred..FalconBoard / ReBoard etc…#MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A4) For sustainable (long lasting) signage, if your produced signage is generic enough, it can be reused for years.
🌴 general session
🌴 exhibition
🌴 luncheon/banquet
🌴 keynote address#MeetGreenChat— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
What makes promotional items sustainable?
A5. Sourcing locally and choosing items with recycled materials are two ways to incorporate sustainability into your promo items. #meetgreenchat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) April 3, 2019
A5) Promotional materials become sustainable when their initial purpose is not a one-time usage.#MeetGreenChat
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A5- sometimes promotional items can be really on message sustainability-wise: reusable water bottles, or items made of high recycled content, some products will even make a donation such as trees, etc on your behalf. #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A5: This is one we struggle with constantly. I think people are actually ready to forgo promotional items. This @FastCompany piece has some good thoughts: https://t.co/w6ljqr1Hhz #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
Do you have examples of sustainable promotional items?
A6) I guess I should've held off on examples in my previous answer! #MeetGreenChat https://t.co/lzUdMGyGTn
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A6. We have seen a plethora of examples ranging from reusable water bottles, swag bags made from recycled materials, and lanyards to name a few. #meetgreenchat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) April 3, 2019
A6: In sustainability we sometimes muse the best promotional item is no promotional item : )) One idea would be to donate your swag budget to a cause with that would have real impact in your destination community. #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A6 Seed bombs! Wildflower parcels (native seeds of course) that can be thrown onto patches of land to brighten them up #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
A6 We made branded mince pies for a Christmas party last year that went down an absolute treat 😋 #MeetGreenChat
— Legacy (@LegacyTheTeam) April 3, 2019
How do you get your exhibitors and sponsors involved in your sustainability goals?
A7) Get your exhibitors and sponsors involved in your sustainability goals by asking a couple of questions on their respective event forms. The host could gain more support than anticipated. #MeetGreenChat
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A7- Pre-event communications with exhibitors can help, verbiage in pre-show guides, etc: sponsors will tend to get motivated when they see how green sponsorships can bolster their brand and amplify their visibility #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A7.2) Another way to get your exhibitors and sponsors involved in your sustainability goals is through your normal informative pre-event communications. Include a sustainability goal in each item of correspondence. #MeetGreenChat
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A7: Partners are critical to extending #sustainable #branding messaging at events. It's all about early education and adoption and in order to achieve this you need to have clear, measurable goals to share with every collaborator, early and up front. #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
By choosing the right ones in the first place 😉 This week a German TV show honoured Greta Thunberg for her environmental efforts and then raffled off a Volkswagen SUV during the commercial break as they were main sponsors – that backfired spectacularly #meetgreenchat
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) April 3, 2019
What technology strategies can be used instead of physical swag?
A8) Some technology strategies that can be used instead of physical swag include QR codes linked to discounts off specified industry-related purchases and emailed promo codes for e-gift card redemption. #MeetGreenChat
— Sonia Harris (@harrisonia) April 3, 2019
A8: #tech is such an interesting tool in the #sustainability toolbox. I love when I can see the impact that my choices have @lyft carbon offset, food waste minimization, etc. Tech can also support virtual attendance to events, which is another great solution #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
What are your plans for the unused or discarded swag?
A9- IMEX America does a great job here- donation bins throughout show floor to collect swag- often accepted by attendees to be polite, but then discarded. By collecting these items they are able to be routed to local donation outlets. #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
What types of experiences have you provided at an event instead of swag?
A10- A recent event I attended had no swag but instead a very generous and well-produced evening event. Directing resources towards experience instead of trinkets was a big win for everyone! #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) April 3, 2019
A10. I attended an event where they offered a running tour of NYC. Sight seeing on foot with a fun group seemed to be a memorable and meaningful alternative to swag. #meetgreenchat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) April 3, 2019
Such a great idea. Then you couple the brand with experiences, which equals great #marketing #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) April 3, 2019
As you can see this is a very hot topic and it’s important for companies and the event planners to consider how the brand is perceived. Planning, communications, and creative ideas are all key ways to sustainable event branding. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Join us for the next MeetGreenChat on May 8th at 11:00AM PT. Let’s share and learn from one another to make a difference in helping one another make the world a better place.
Leave A Comment