We have written before about why measuring your existing impact is a vital first step in making your events more sustainable. But what comes after? Before embarking on the journey of planning a sustainable event, it is crucial for event managers to clearly identify their sustainability goals. This step is essential in setting the direction for the event and ensuring that all planning and execution efforts are aligned with sustainable practices. Here are some tips to help event managers identify their sustainability goals:

Define the purpose of the event

Understanding the purpose of the event will help event managers determine what sustainability goals are most important to achieve. Whether it is reducing waste, conserving energy, or supporting local communities, the purpose of the event will guide the sustainability goals.

Conduct a sustainability assessment

Before setting sustainability goals, event managers should conduct a thorough assessment of the event’s environmental impact. This can include analyzing energy consumption, waste generation, water usage, and carbon emissions. By understanding the current environmental impact of the event, event managers can identify areas for improvement and set specific sustainability goals.

Engage stakeholders

It is important to involve all stakeholders in the process of identifying sustainability goals. This can include event attendees, sponsors, vendors, and local communities. By engaging stakeholders, event managers can gain valuable insights into what sustainability goals are most important to them and ensure that the event’s sustainability efforts are aligned with their expectations.

By clearly identifying sustainability goals, event managers can set a clear direction for planning a sustainable event and ensure that all efforts are focused on achieving those goals. This will not only help reduce the event’s environmental impact but also enhance its overall success and reputation among attendees and stakeholders.