In this month’s tweet chat we wanted to discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals and see how we can connect them with event planning. There are seventeen goals in total and there are several that you can keep in mind while planning your next event. Here’s a recap of the #MeetGreenChat:
Have you heard of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? If so, what are they?
A1. I've been learning about the @UN #SDGs. This is a nice piece on how they impact the industry I work in: https://t.co/DFrimFKuQC #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
A1 The UN SDGs link well with event sustainability initiatives #MeetGreenChat
— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 5, 2019
A1. SDG's provide a universal framework for countries to address areas of poverty, social inequalities, and environmental issues. #MeetGreenChat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) June 5, 2019
SDG #2 – Zero Hunger: What examples at your events could apply to this goal?
A2 Food donation should be the first! #MeetGreenChat
— Della Green (@MeetGreenDella) June 5, 2019
A2 Hold a CSR Project at a local food bank. #GivingBack #MeetGreenChat
— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 5, 2019
A2. At many of the events that I spearhead/attend people are ok with reducing the amount of food in order to increase the impact of the speakers, programs etc. Then the message is more powerful than any food that usually is wasted. #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
A2: easier ways to donate food leftovers in various counties. It is absolutely amazing to have ‘Good Samaritan Act’ in the US & my dream is to have similar laws in Europe #meetgreenchat #sustainability
— Milda Salciute, CMP, CED (@IMEXMilda) June 5, 2019
SDG #4 – Quality Education: How does this goal compliment your program content?
Q3: This goal has catalyzed events I have worked on to ask ourselves, "how many education sessions are we offering"…"in what ways are we offering quality education to attendees". This line of thinking has been beneficial to driving continuous improvement! #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
Q3 Quality Education: Events are learning labs for attendee to experience sustainability #MeetGreenChat
— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 5, 2019
People these days are almost reluctant to attend networking events without a keynote speaker so I try to find hidden gems whenever possible. Not just speakers with stories, but storytellers. #MeetGreenChat
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) June 5, 2019
SDG #7 – Affordable & Clean Energy: What are some examples that planners could keep in mind to incorporate this SDG?
A4 Asking the venues about their renewable energy mix via your RFP and holding the event near public transportation are a few. #MeetGreenChat
— Della Green (@MeetGreenDella) June 5, 2019
Q4 Ask meeting venue to use renewable energy during your event #MeetGreenChat
— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 5, 2019
A4: We actually just had some success on this front for one of our events: all three hotels in our block will be sourcing 100% renewable energy from their utility provider during our event as part of our sustainability negotiations #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
The Octoberfest in Munich runs on 100% renewable energy (they even have solar panels on the big tents now) so I always tell my clients if the beercrazies can do it, the sky is the limit 😉 #MeetGreenChat
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) June 5, 2019
A4: Keep having conversations with the venue, make it part of your event strategy and RFPs, prioritise venues using renewable energy #tonsofwork #MeetGreenChat
— Milda Salciute, CMP, CED (@IMEXMilda) June 5, 2019
SDG #11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities: What could you look for in a host city for your event?
A5: Recycling (lol!)…proximity of hotels to venue, and public transportation infrastructure. #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
A5 Look for cities that are recognized for sustainable practices and achievements such as recycling programs, waste reduction, straw elimination, etc #MeetGreenChat.
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) June 5, 2019
A5: the first idea 💡 that came to my mind is well developed public transportation system as I am on the train coming back from on great conference in London #MeetGreenChat #WBFLON
— Milda Salciute, CMP, CED (@IMEXMilda) June 5, 2019
SDG #12 – Responsible Consumption & Production: Share some examples of your own responsible consumption.
A6: Reusable cups, utensils, and service-ware at events are some of my favorite ways to support responsible consumption and production #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
Q6 Always ask yourself if you REALLY need conference swag and bags. Save time, money and the environment #MeetGreenChat
— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 5, 2019
A6: we can learn a lot from each other about sustainable consumptiom. If u are looking for examples, here is an impactful project we had at #IMEX19 showcasing some basic products we could all use on day to day basis #MeetGreenChat pic.twitter.com/5tcJJUNQUS
— Milda Salciute, CMP, CED (@IMEXMilda) June 5, 2019
A6. Going back to the impact of textiles and event hardwear here, but we try to reuse and repurpose as much as we can from one event to another. I also always work with vendors who practice environmental and social responsibility to support their efforts #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
SDG #13 – Climate Action: What are some steps your event can participate in to meet this SDG?
Q7: Offer a virtual attendance option! #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
A7. Communications are key here. Using your event to showcase the impact and importance of #ClimateChange awareness and harnessing the excitement of attendees towards best #SDGs practices is such a huge opportunity! #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
A7 Promote carbon offsets to attendees. #MeetGreenChat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) June 5, 2019
SDG #14 – Life Below Water: Are there examples of food and beverage that apply to this goal? If so, what are they?
Overfishing is a massive problem so only buy local fish and sea food from sustainable producers #MeetGreenChat
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) June 5, 2019
A8. This upcoming @AATCC event will discuss the impact of #Sustainability in #Textile production:https://t.co/zYwB68h03I I'm not sure how they are managing f&b but their programming is catered to dive into the dissucion of life below water. #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
SDG #15 – Life on Land: How could you include this goal into your event planning?
A9: I think about the event waste that we are diverting from the landfill as one way to support this SDG….recycling, compost, material and food donation #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
A9 Reduce use of paper and opt for digital communication whenever possible is one small step that can have enormous positive impacts. #MeetGreenChat
— April Hammel (@aprilhammel) June 5, 2019
A9. By being mindful of the event's impact to #biodiversity rich ecosystems and by educating about the measures currently in use to reduce the eradication of the priority species where the event is housed. #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
Which SDG’s could you tie into your sustainable planning for an event?
A10: All that we discussed today, and really like SDG 17 called "partnerships for the goals"….as supporting sustainability really requires a true partnership among many many stakeholders #MeetGreenChat
— Eric Wallinger (@EricWallinger) June 5, 2019
Q10 Reduced Inequalitites. An event is a tiny world in its own, so let‘s create a temporary safe space where everyone feels welcome and appreciated. #MeetGreenChat
— The Green Event Planner (@katrinluethy) June 5, 2019
A.10 All of them! #SDGs are a great new #metric with which to measure #sustainable #data #MeetGreenChat
— SashaWallinger (@SashaWallinger) June 5, 2019
Lots of great discussions around the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they tie into events. For the full thread on this chat check out the feed for #MeetGreenChat on Twitter.
We are taking a break next month due to the 4th of July holiday. Our next scheduled tweet chat is August 7th, please join us at 11AM PT on Twitter!
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