March 2019
sustainably and whether it can be reused or
recycled to minimise waste following an event.
There is an opportunity for circularity within
our supply chain here, a chance to put back
what we take out but only if it is thought about
and prioritised from the start.
Quality education and partnership – as
already discussed the very nature of events is
that they provide a platform to communicate
and educate. We have a duty not to let those
opportunities go to waste and to maximise the
fact that we have a captive audience at each of
our events. Even if it is only for a few minutes
we can tell them something new, change
hearts and minds and improve attitudes. The
same can be said for our partnerships – no one
organises an event alone – you need to work
with a host of individuals and companies to
succeed, which creates further opportunity.
Tell your partners and suppliers what you
expect from them at the start of the process.
Bring them on board with your sustainability
message… even include it in your tenders.
Reducing inequalities – this is another
huge topic with wide ranging ramifications.
Inequalities are sometimes obvious and
well known but often they are hidden and
overlooked simply due to a lack of awareness.
Even top performing companies and
organisation could probably do more when
it comes to inequalities based on gender,
sexuality, racial or disability. However, they
are wider challenges including geography,
education or simply how effective someone
is at putting themselves forward and
demonstrating why they are the best person for
a particular role. Aside from being ever more
open minded and conscious of decisions that
sideline people we also need to consider how
we can educate and inform others to make
sure we are again using our platforms to stamp
out inequalities wherever they occur.
ABPCO has worked with Positive Impact
to create a Sustainability Roadmap that looks
at these issues and more. It is not a simple
fix and we don’t have the final solution for
everyone but we do have a starting point and
a fair idea of a destination. All we ask is that
you take some time out to consider the journey
ahead and see where you can join us for the
benefit of all.
ABPCO
Roadmap
ABPCO members collaborated
to create a roadmap to a
sustainable events industry
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