Sustainable Offsite Event Practices

Using a “start from where you are” approach as a leverage point for change: Any event, board meeting, workshop, group activity is an opportunity to showcase a shift in environmental practices, especially those with large numbers of attendees. For instance, a zero waste event can serve as a powerful platform for promoting environmental behavior change and raising awareness about the importance of adopting new behaviors. Use the activity to set a precedent for your company/school/government agency/organization and showcase your willingness to make a difference! For instance, practical steps to organize a zero waste event: 1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific and achievable zero waste goals for your event. Aim to minimize (or eliminate!) waste sent to landfills and maximize reuse, composting, and recycling. 2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve event organizers, vendors, sponsors, and attendees in the zero waste initiative. Use it as a way to build local relationships with businesses aligned with your values and/or get businesses you already work with on board to embrace sustainable practices and zero waste goals. Provide vendors with guidelines & support on waste reduction. 3. Waste Assessment: Conduct a waste assessment to identify the types & quantities of waste typically generated at similar events. This analysis is for tailoring your zero waste strategy. 4. Waste Reduction Strategy: Develop a comprehensive waste reduction strategy. Focus on reducing/eliminating single-use items and promoting reusable alternatives. 5. Recycling and Composting Stations: Set up clearly labeled reuse, recycling and composting stations throughout the event area. Make it easy (and fun!) for attendees to sort their waste properly. 6. Educational Signage and Outreach: Place educational signage throughout the event (learning opportunity!), explaining the zero waste initiative and guiding attendees on how to participate actively. 7. Volunteer Training: Train volunteers to assist attendees at waste stations. Watching others demonstrate and seeing others engaged in waste brings other people onboard 8. Collaborate with Local Waste Management: Work with local waste management companies to make a plan for waste diversion. 9. Post-Event Evaluation: Assess the success of the zero waste initiative. Analyze waste diversion rates, collect feedback from attendees and vendors, and identify areas for improvement. 10. Publicize Success Stories: Share achievements and positive outcomes of the zero waste event with the community and stakeholders. Celebrate your collective effort towards sustainability! 11. Continued Engagement: Encourage ongoing environmental practices beyond the event. Provide resources, tips, and educational materials to help attendees adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. *Reach out if you have questions! #waste #ecoconscious #zerowaste #ecoliteracy #sustainabilityleadership #behaviorchange #environmentaleducation #sustainablebusiness

No-waste isn’t just bins and compost. It’s a philosophy. One that asks us to reconsider our relationship with time, resources, relationships, and work. It means slowing down before we hit publish, place an order, or plan a retreat. It’s asking: is this necessary? Is it intentional? Will it last? Because the opposite of no-waste is total depletion. 🌍 According to the UN Environment Programme, the world generates 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste each year. ➡️ The events industry alone is responsible for more than 10% of global CO₂ emissions. ➡️  And the average multi-day corporate event produces over 1.89kg of waste per person per day, much of it unrecyclable. Now imagine scaling that across hundreds of team offsites and leadership retreats a year. ✨ But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve seen and designed retreats where: – There are no single-use items (everything from water bottles to name tags are reused or biodegradable). – The menu is local and seasonal, supporting nearby farmers and reducing transport emissions. – Welcome gifts are made by artisans or not given at all, replaced with something more lasting. – We choose venues powered by renewables, or at least hold them accountable to a sustainability policy. 🌀 A no-waste mindset in events means: – We don’t over-plan. – We don’t over-produce. – We leave space for emergence. – And we always ask: what’s the legacy of this experience? Will people return home clearer, lighter, more connected, or just with another branded tote? No-waste is about doing events with care. And that mindset ripples into how we lead, how we live, and what kind of systems we choose to build. 💬 I’d love to hear from others designing or attending offsites: Where have you seen low-impact practices that felt meaningful, not just performative? ➕ Follow Maya for reflections on conscious leadership, meaningful retreats, and regenerative design. Photography by Haris Ahmed

Singapore's Green Plan 2030 isn't just another sustainability initiative - it's reshaping how we experience tourism and events in ways you wouldn't expect. Walking through Singapore today, I've witnessed the changing impact... The transformation goes beyond the surface: 🌿 One million trees being planted across the island 🌿 Solar panels powering major venues 🌿 Zero-waste conferences becoming the norm 🌿 Green-certified hotels leading innovation But what caught my attention wasn't the numbers. It was the impact on real experiences: Events now hosted in nature-integrated spaces Hotels powered entirely by renewable energy Electric transport reshaping tourist mobility Conference venues with zero-waste policies I've spent years in tourism and MICE, and this shift is unlike anything I've seen before. Consider this: Major venues like Marina Bay Sands are now powered by solar energy. The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering has transformed into a vertical garden. The results? → Cleaner air for visitors → Cooler urban spaces → Lower carbon footprints → Enhanced visitor experiences What makes this truly significant: ✓ Changi Airport implementing sustainable aviation fuel ✓ Hotels harvesting rainwater ✓ Conference centers eliminating single-use plastics ✓ Urban spaces integrating with nature For businesses and travelers, this creates new opportunities: Access to green-certified venues Sustainable accommodation options Eco-friendly transport solutions Nature-integrated event spaces The transformation is real, and it's happening now. Want to be part of this movement? → Choose sustainable venues for your events → Stay at eco-certified hotels → Support green initiatives → Partner with environmentally conscious providers This isn't just about sustainability - it's about creating experiences that matter. I am Dr Nisha, a tourism consultant, practitioner, academic, and corporate trainer with over 25 years of extensive management experience in the Tourism, Hospitality, and MICE industry. Ready to explore Singapore's green transformation? Let's connect and discuss how you can make your next visit or event more sustainable.

4 steps framework for organizing a net zero event. (Offsetting your carbon footprint should be the last one) When planning sustainable events - most companies think of offsetting first. And other 3 important steps are usually skipped. If you don't want to make the same mistake. Follow this framework: Step 1. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 Make a conscious effort to avoid venues, transport, or other activities that create more emissions than others. Step 2. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Focus on improving efficiency, reusing materials, and minimizing waste to lower the overall carbon footprint of the event. Step 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Substitute high-carbon activities with low-carbon alternatives. Consider virtual or hybrid events to reduce travel-related emissions. Step 4. 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Invest in carbon offset projects to balance out the emissions that cannot be eliminated, such as renewable energy projects or reforestation initiatives. Following these steps sequentially lowers your event's footprint to begin with. Minimizes waste and saves the natural resources along the way. And reduces offsetting cost too. So when you are organizing your next event. Focus on these biggest emission sources first. And apply the 4-step framework to each one of them. Start with 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Responsible for 45% of emissions. Use shared vehicles, public transport, or carpool. Offer virtual attendance options. Then consider the 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 Contributes to 20% of emissions. Choose venues with renewable energy. Opt for green or LEED-certified buildings. Then think about the 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 sources Makes up 15% of emissions. Source food locally. Offer plant-based options. Avoid food waste. And plan for 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 Adds 10% to the emissions. Select venues with waste management programs. Use biodegradable utensils and reusable items. And finally, 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 That contributes to 10% to the emissions. Use renewable energy sources. Schedule events during daylight hours. So by following this four-step process. And focusing on the bigger emission sources first. You can plan a more sustainable event without any external support. 🌍 And you don't have to be a sustainability pro for it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now that I've shared the framework and steps, excuses like 'We lack the expertise' or 'It will cost more' just don’t cut it. What’s your excuse now? Comment with the lamest excuse you’ve heard for not organizing sustainable events? #SustainableEvents #NetZero #GreenMeetings

🌍 Happy Earth Day from Team Baarman! Next-Level Sustainability: 5 Trends We’re Watching:   🌱 1. Carbon Tracking & Offsetting Tools ·      New tech platforms allow real-time carbon tracking for events—measuring emissions from travel, meals, energy use, etc. ·      Certain hotels and destinations are offering “net-zero meetings” packages with built-in offsetting.    ♻️ 2. Circular Design for Exhibits & Materials ·      Move from “build and toss” to modular, reusable booths and signage   🌐 3. Sustainable Tech & Smart Energy Use ·      Solar-powered charging stations, LED lighting, and smart HVAC systems in venues ·      Mobile apps and digital signage instead of printed programs or banners ·      AI-powered attendee management to optimize schedules and reduce resource use (e.g., food waste from no-shows)    🌿4. Zero-Waste Catering & Regenerative Food ·      Move beyond plant-based menus into regenerative agriculture-sourced foods ·      Composting stations and waste audits at F&B areas ·      Water stations replacing bottled water—sometimes with flavored or vitamin-infused options to add appeal   🌍 5. Sustainability as a Value, Not Just a Feature ·      Educate attendees on their impact—via sustainability dashboards, storytelling, or gamification (e.g., earn points for green choices) ·      Local community give-back initiatives, like tree planting, beach cleanups, or partnering with local nonprofits   Sustainability isn't a trend—it's a responsibility that our team can help you achieve. Contact Team Baarman at Doug.Baarman@ConferenceDirect.com #EarthDay2025 #InnovativeSustainability #CarbonNeutralEvents

You’ve probably heard or thought it yourself: “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲!” 🚫 And I get it. Many global sustainability standards come from regions like Europe or the Global North, where resources and systems differ from the rest. But here’s the thing: sustainability isn’t about following a strict rulebook. It’s about finding what works for 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 business and destination. 🤔 How? For example: 💧 If recycling water isn’t an option, harvesting rainwater or reusing greywater can work wonders. 🍽️ No access to composting? Partner with local farmers to turn scraps into fertiliser or animal feed. 🚗 Limited or unsafe public transport? Promote carpooling or introduce bike rentals to your guests. 💡 No access to solar panels? Reduce energy use through efficiency and small changes like optimised lighting. 🗑️ Without recycling infrastructure, encourage refillable bottles or biodegradable packaging instead. Progress comes from adapting practices to your reality and celebrating every win. 🙌 What sustainability practice doesn’t work for your destination? And what creative solution have you found instead? Let me know in the comments! Need help brainstorming? Reach out! I’d love to help. 🤩 #GlobalStandards #SustainableTourism #Innovation #TourOperators #Accommodations Smits SusTour Consultancy ♻️ Found this post helpful? Repost it to inspire your network! 

After years working with some of the biggest venues, festivals, and events in the country, I’ve seen one thing hold true: sustainability isn’t just an environmental choice—it’s a smart business decision. In my latest article, I break down why moving from single-use to reuse can: 💰 Save venues hundreds of thousands in waste costs 💼 Create local jobs in logistics, washing, and operations 🎟 Meet rising guest expectations—81% of attendees say they’d pay more for sustainable events Here’s the simple roadmap I share with event operators: 1️⃣ Audit your single-use footprint 2️⃣ Partner with experienced reuse providers 3️⃣ Build organization-wide buy-in and track progress The economics of reuse are catching up to the environmental promise—and the venues that act now will lead the industry forward. 📄 Read the full article here → https://lnkd.in/ggdEyUDx #EventSustainability #ReuseEconomy #SustainableEvents #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction r.World | Reuse