Stacey Hutchinson
CEO of Best Case Scenario
Businesses are increasingly recognising the importance of aligning their operations with environmental goals. Business-to-business (B2B) event organisers have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact by embracing eco-friendly practices. However, transitioning to sustainable events doesn’t need to be an overwhelming, all-or-nothing endeavour. In fact, starting small can lay the groundwork for big changes down the line, while building momentum within your organisation and network.
At Best Case Scenario, we’ve become experts in helping businesses gradually shift toward more sustainable event practices. Through years of experience, we’ve learned that beginning with manageable changes can make a noticeable difference—not just for the planet, but for your attendees, partners, and brand reputation.
In this blog, we’ll explore how event organisers can take the first steps toward sustainability, without needing to overhaul their entire event strategy.
- Small Wins Lead to Bigger Changes. It’s important to remember that sustainability doesn’t have to be achieved in a single, sweeping gesture. Start by focusing on areas that are easy to improve and can deliver quick wins, which help build momentum for larger changes later on. These small wins could include:
Switch to digital: Replace printed brochures, schedules, and marketing materials with digital alternatives. This reduces paper waste and energy used in printing.
Sustainable catering: Align with venues that also have a commitment to be sustainable. For example do they use OzHarvest for leftover food? Can you opt for plant-based menus or offer local, organic food options. Even offering a few low-impact meal choices can significantly reduce your event’s carbon footprint.
Opt for reusable or compostable products: Use reusable badges, cups, and cutlery, or offer compostable alternatives at your chosen venue. We are also seeing attendees prefer sustainable merchandise as a giveaway. Opt for reusable and plastic free items. Small changes in materials can drastically cut down single-use plastics.
By taking these initial steps, you not only lower the event’s environmental impact, but you also set the stage for deeper sustainability discussions within your company.
2. Focus on Energy Efficiency. One of the largest contributors to an event’s carbon footprint is energy consumption, particularly in venue operations. From lighting to heating and cooling systems, event spaces consume massive amounts of power, which is why energy efficiency is a crucial starting point.
The Global Energy Perspective report by McKinsey highlights that the world is increasingly shifting toward renewable energy sources as costs decrease.
Organisers can capitalise on this trend by:
- Choosing energy-efficient venues: Select event spaces that prioritise energy efficiency, using LED lighting, smart temperature controls, and renewable energy sources like solar or wind.
- Encouraging virtual participation: Reduce the need for travel by offering hybrid or fully virtual event options. Not only does this cut carbon emissions, but it also broadens your audience reach.
- Transportation partnerships: Encourage eco-friendly transportation options for attendees by partnering with local public transit providers or offering incentives for carpooling, biking, or using electric vehicles.
These changes not only help to mitigate your event’s environmental impact, but they also signal to attendees that your business is committed to supporting a sustainable energy future.
3. Engage Attendees and Stakeholders. Sustainability is not just the responsibility of the event organisers—it’s a collective effort. Engage your attendees, sponsors, and partners in the sustainability journey by promoting your efforts and encouraging participation. Some simple yet effective ways to do this include:
- Share your green goals: Include your sustainability goals in event marketing, on your website, and in attendee communications. Make it clear that eco-consciousness is a priority for your event.
- Offer incentives for green behaviour: Provide perks for attendees who engage in sustainable actions, such as discounts for using public transit or bringing their own reusable water bottles.
- Green partnerships: Collaborate with vendors and partners who share your sustainability goals, like Best Case Scenario. Working with companies that prioritise eco-friendly practices amplifies the impact of your efforts.
The more your stakeholders feel involved in your sustainability mission, the more committed they will be to making it a success.
4. Leverage Technology for Sustainability. Technology plays a significant role in making events more sustainable. Beyond going paperless, tech tools can streamline operations and reduce waste. For instance:
- Event apps: Use apps for scheduling, networking, and sharing event information, eliminating the need for paper-based resources.
- Virtual booths: For exhibitions and trade shows, consider offering virtual booth options. This reduces the need for shipping large physical displays and cuts down on waste generated during the teardown process.
Carbon offset platforms: Offer attendees the opportunity to offset their travel carbon footprint directly through your registration process.
As McKinsey’s Global Energy Perspective indicates, technology and energy transformation will be critical to driving sustainable progress. B2B event organisers can be at the forefront of this shift by leveraging available tech solutions to reduce their environmental impact.
5. Celebrate and Scale Your Successes. Finally, celebrate the wins you achieve along the way. Whether it’s cutting down waste, reducing energy usage, or encouraging greener behaviour from your attendees, every step matters. Sharing these accomplishments—both internally and with your audience—can reinforce the value of sustainable practices.
Once you’ve seen success with small initiatives, you can gradually scale them up. For instance, after a successful trial of digital materials, you might move to completely paperless events. After encouraging hybrid participation, you could work towards reducing in-person attendee numbers at future events to minimise travel emissions further.
The most important thing is to keep building on your successes. What starts small can eventually lead to a comprehensive, fully integrated sustainability strategy.
Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection
Sustainable event planning is a journey, not a destination. While the world is moving rapidly toward renewable energy and eco-friendly practices, event organisers don’t need to feel pressured to make immediate, massive changes. Instead, by starting with small, meaningful actions, you can set your events on a sustainable path that benefits both your business and the environment.
At Best Case Scenario, we’ve seen firsthand how incremental improvements can lead to significant results. By making simple, thoughtful changes, B2B event organisers can make a lasting impact, proving that progress doesn’t always require perfection.
So, start small, think big, and let sustainability shape the future of your events
