How holding events locally can save time, money and carbon

We often focus on how to make travel and event ideas more sustainable. But event planners and sustainable Travellers know the easiest and most effective way of saving on your carbon and fiscal budget is to choose local. 

Event organizers know that simple transport solutions to the event venue and meeting space are usually the best, so being able to drive to a destination has major advantages. 

We speak to clients all the time who are looking for a great destination who are surprised to learn that the perfect venues for their event already exist in their own metro area. 

So, we sat down with the Huddle venue sourcing experts to see some of their top picks for drivable, sustainable destinations. Starting with Southern California. 

SoCal has some of the greatest beaches, eateries, national parks and sustainable tourism options available in the whole country. But flying a team of 10 from Los Angeles to Jackson can result in emissions equal to the average Italian’s carbon footprint for an entire year. It isn’t surprising that more and more organizations are looking close to home for destinations to try and meet their sustainability initiatives and business goals. 

Idyllwild

Hiking, Culture and Relaxation only 2 hours away

Not only was this gem nestled in the San Jacinto Wilderness considered one of America’s great art towns, it is conveniently located about 2 hours from both Los Angeles And San Diego metro areas. 

Travellers can take in the wealth of local galleries and craft stores displaying the work of local artists and artisans, or sample some of the many health and wellness locations available in the area. The town is also host to the Idyllwild Arts Academy, while the Jazz in the Pines festival brings some of the country’s leading musicians to the town each year to perform on three outdoor stages.

More adventurous and active attendees can take advantage of the world-class hiking trails, experiencing the natural beauty that has made the area famous. Mount San Jacinto offers views from the mountains of San Diego to the Salton Sea. 

Big Bear Lake

An iconic getaway within reach

One of the region’s favourite destinations, Big Bear Lake has activities and amenities for all four seasons, making it a versatile destination for organisations in Southern California and beyond. And while it is certainly closer from LA or San Diego, it can be reached from LAs Vegas in just over 3 hours on a good day. 

Top attractions include skiing, hiking, snowboarding, mountain-biking and enjoying the views of the majestic San Bernardino National Forest. Plus, campaigns like Care for Big Bear let travellers give back to the local community and help preserve this incredible landscape, helping their event into a regenerative experience for the landscape.

Palm Springs

One of the great resort towns of North America only a drive away

Set between four mountain ranges and long prized by travellers for its adventure and breathtaking scenery, this resort oasis in the deserts of southern California can make a great destination for meetings and events. 

From the Living Desert Zoo to horseriding, golf, and ATV adventures, there are a host of activities available to suit different types of organization. Importantly, Palm Springs also brings a focus on sustainability. The wind-farms of the San Gorgonio Pass help provide green energy for the whole region, the local district has an ambitious water recycling program and the local transit agency fuels its busses with compressed natural gas or green hydrogen. 

Taking the challenge of net zero events seriously means event organisers looking at all the options, and looking local for your venues is a simple and effective way to make a real impact on your environmental goal

Want to find out how your events program stacks up, and how to improve it? Contact an expert at Huddle today.