Delivering or gaining that ‘wow’ factor with events gets harder and harder each year, everything is about Quality over Quantity in the events we attend or run. Time is precious and every event is a means to an end – real connections, new understanding and resulting business.
Marketing PRojects joined the IEM (Institute of Event Management) exactly a year ago and so far it has proved to be a real benefit in new levels of professionalism, connections and opportunities. Watch this space!!
2026 is stacking up to be a year when people are prepared to make more connections and get out and about … but only when it delivers tangible results.
Accessibility and sustainability are now centre-stage with sustainability built into every stage of an event. Event design has reached new levels, designed for the room, not just the camera or photo-op.
Event organisation has to be slick, with well-considered, practised timings, smooth people-flow and simply explained schedules. No last-minute panics that could have been foreseen or anticipated with a proper, deep-dive risk assessment.
Every event CAN be Sustainable
We work hard to make all the events Marketing PRojects delivers more sustainable. There is no excuse for not making proactive steps to be greener when delivering an event which will be long remembered and where valued attendees will attend again and again.
Offset travel
Whether you are organising or attending events you can do your bit.
There are quite a few carbon offset organisations for events or your organisation in general, or we can calculate this for your specific event. You can book travel – flights and trains – through them or you’ve the carbon calculator often found when booking through Virgin Trains or Trainline for example.
Track the CO2 generated on your journey (usually presented as a saving against taking a single occupant car journey) and how much the journey needs to be offset. Then they send you a regular update on what projects they/you have supported to offset against. Last year my personal CO2 savings by train – 0.035kg/km (compared with taking the car – 0.108kg/km) were 0.663 tonnes. More information at moretrees.eco
Building in Sustainability
Pre-planning always prevents poor performance so start the conversation early. We can help you set requirements for the project and deliverable objectives. Build these goals and discussion points in your project plan. This will ensure actions are actively monitored and don’t just become a tick box exercise. Allow suppliers to help you achieve your goals.
When setting your event’s sustainability plan here are some areas to consider:
The Venue
Areas to consider when choosing your venue and suppliers.
- Most venues and suppliers have their green policy on their website. Read and match to your needs. Even if it doesn’t answer your questions, the more the venue is asked the more important they will consider sustainability and you could be a trailblazer here!
- Consider public transport options at proposal stage. Including links to local travel networks in joining instructions. Refunding attendees’ (only) public transport costs could be considered to encourage a more sustainable approach.
- If you are going to a remote location, even if not, set up a car share scheme or organise coaches. We did this for the Green Expo Awards Dinner.
- Can attendees bring their own? Water bottles or coffee cups.
- No single use cups – crockery, cutlery and glassware look so much better anyway and minimise waste and its costs.
Waste
Reduce costs and quantity:
- Can you use QR codes linked to a web page or event App instead of printing things?
- Print on 100% recycled paper and use eco inks, no plastic coating on paper, either.
- If you have to print can you use compostable or seeded paper?
- Minimise food waste. Or can leftovers be distributed it to those more in need?
- Check recycling bins pre-sort and check this pre-separation actually works in practice.
Signage
- Cardboard and bamboo rather than the plastic.
- If you have to use vinyl banners and backdrops can they be reused at other events?
- Produce less and make it multi-use.
- Use digital signage and low-emission screens where possible.
- Use lanyards rather than badges and ask for them back, to reuse. Using plastic wallets will reduce reprints and can be used again.
- Ask everyone to bring their own lanyard – everyone has at least 5 lying around – and it’s a good conversation starter! But have some on hand for those who forget.
Green goody bags
- Goody Bags should be in compostable bags and minimise plastic wrapping. There is still a massive selection in bamboo, organic cotton, recycled plastic if you have to use plastic.
- Green give aways don’t have to be an object, they could be time based, or charity focused.
Can you add any more ideas? We’d love to hear from you. See more here or contact us for a brief chat.
Photo: Jane Harrad-Roberts with Diane Earles, Executive Board Vice-Chair of the Institute of Event Managers at membership renewal time in January 2026 in St Peter’s Square, Manchester.