An environmentally friendly event without boasting
Photo: GEF
The GEF does not sell itself as sustainable or environmentally friendly, but it does apply several solutions in a natural way.
Research indicates that the events industry generates more than 10% of the world's carbon emissions and the projection is that the sector will continue to grow in the coming years, so a strategy is needed to avoid burning the planet in the process.
Last September 2024, the Global Event Forum (GEF) was held in Krasnaya Polyana - Sochi, Russia. The GEF is one of the most important meetings of the industry in that country because it gathers the main event organizers, with the attendance of more than 2,100 professionals.
Sabio company representatives had the opportunity to participate in the GEF to learn more about sustainable event production in Russia, as well as to create business connections.
Thus, a specialist in the field conducted a visual analysis of the organization process, which began with the various transportation alternatives to reach the GEF, which are diverse and some of low environmental impact, such as cable cars and the ease of renting a car sharing. The event was held in a ski resort that is breathtaking due to the majestic view of the mountains and during four days the “Event City” was created, which was hosted by hotels that has the Green Key certification which guarantees that the complex has processes to control environmental impacts.
The facilities of this complex facilitated the production and organization process since it is made up of multiple buildings with rooms of different sizes, auditoriums and an open-air esplanade.
Most of the decorative elements were reusable, some stands used ecological materials such as cardboard, and the promotional materials were produced locally. In addition, the scenography elements were rented and the audiovisual equipment was of the newest technology, which leads to a certain efficiency in energy consumption.
99% of the attendees used the GEF app which reduces the need for printouts, plastic badges were attached to a fabric cord and metal elements, most of the food and beverage containers were eco-grade, of course plastic water bottles were present but the speakers drank water from glass containers. The waste was mainly recyclable, which makes it easier for the venue's cleaning team to make the correct segregation for its later final disposal.
Members of Sabio Company interacted in various sessions and with different speakers to learn more about the business potential of sustainable development in the national events industry, and for now it is not a topic that is talked about, which in a way is interesting since the sustainability of the event spoke for itself.
The major global reference standard for the sustainable organization of events is ISO 20121 and indicates that a management system based on the plan-do-check-act model must be integrated, so it is identified that if the GEF integrates for its next edition a policy for sustainability and a measurement process of socio-environmental indicators; it will be highly likely that the event complies with this standard and is possible to achieve a certification. For now, the most important element for our planet is to do and act, which is an example that the Global Event Forum gave us during its past edition.
