Roundtable
Daniel Nwaokolo raises the point that establishing a roadmap for Net Zero will cost businesses proportionately and not every business can afford it : “ I think we have a responsibility to try and find a way to get a system in place that can be affordable that is an investment for the whole market ,” he says .
Hyve Group UK regional director and Association of Event Organisers ( AEO ) deputy chair Julie Driscoll suggests that groups such as the AEO , the Events Industry Alliance ( EIA ) and the Association of Event Venues ( AEV ) are a great way for smaller organiers to benefit , by creating easy guidelines and pledges for them to follow .
Unity53 founder Paul Macdonald suggests that the “ old fashioned ” business model of the events industry may need to change as people from all around the world travel to the same venue having a negative environmental impact . However , Driscoll suggests that instead of getting on many international flights for business meetings , events can be used as the one time in a year where face-to-face meetings with supply chains and customers can take place , therefore reducing a carbon footprint .
Rob Fredrickson , managing director of catering company Gather & Gather , says
“ ESG needs a voice at the planning table at every organisation and show ” “ If the industry is not uncomfortable then it ’ s not being challenged hard enough ”
there is tension between what he wants to do as a caterer , such as taking out single use cups , and what he can afford to do , as this may result in him losing contracts or making less money with existing contracts .
“ If you take single use cups out of an operation that relies on a huge amount of tea and coffee , the sales have dropped by 25 %. No business in a commercial catering operation can afford to lose that volume of high margin sales , because the whole model just falls over if you do that .”
Fredrickson adds that action is needed more than words , while other members of the group acknowledge that businesses may begin to be called out if action is not taken .
“ People are now asking for words to actually translate into meaningful action and that you ’ re measuring and reporting to make a world a better place ,” he says . “ Words are going to start to run out of value and that ’ s the challenge for every business in the UK , whether that ’ s an exhibitor or a caterer .”
Driscoll agrees , saying that one of Hyve ’ s strategies this year is to build in measurability , and to make sure that every person measures what they are doing to make a more positive impact . Similarly , Nwaokolo suggests that governance , while being less “ sexy ” to talk about , is vital with regards to sustainability as it can provide the “ guardrails to get cadence within your business .” Driscoll says investing in ESG involves making sacrifices and difficult decisions : “ The old world was about driving above normal profit , while the new world is about considering that story . Your profits might dip a bit but we ’ re in it to drive for a better world .
“ You ’ ve got to accept that the reason businesses exist may pivot and change .”
Winter — 19