Events are a critical part of the corporate ecosystem, and especially the marketing ecosystem. However, as valuable as events are for forming long-term business partnerships and ensuring loyal customers are provided with a unique experience, there are considerations to be made around environmental impact. 

As we all navigate the shifting scientific studies, expectations and regulations around business and sustainability, environmentally-focused events stand out as lighthouses of innovation and green practices. 

What are environmentally-focused events? These are trade shows, exhibitions and conferences that aren’t just events. They’re opportunities. They’re your chance to dive into the world of sustainable events to learn, connect and come away inspired. Let’s walk through the highlights of these events and discover how you can bring their insights into your work.

Events have the power to shape opinions and behaviors, and by aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the sector can play a significant role in promoting global sustainability and societal well-being, both within itself and among the industries it serves.    

Last June, nearly 100 business events industry leaders and advocates went to Capitol Hill to ask their members of Congress to do three important things:

• Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to finish its proposed anti-scammer rule
• Advance legislation to help our industry train the next generation workforce
• Introduce legislation to help bring down visa wait times.

So, what has happened since then?

Are you running events with a small team?

Many event marketers and event managers I've talked with are in a similar situation. They rely on coworkers in other departments with limited event knowledge to help on event day.

Sound familiar?

If you're nodding right now, here are five recommendations on how to execute on-site with a small staff.

As events continue to be a hub of excitement and collaboration for many, it’s important to be aware of the impact they present. Understanding the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced and how much waste is being expelled during an event is just one of the steps in creating a more sustainable path going forward. 

Sustainability is more than environmental action, it has four pillars. Environment is one focus area and the other three focus on Human, Social and Economic improvement.

Event cancellation insurance is a specialized insurance that provides financial coverage for organizations if they must cancel, postpone, abandon or relocate an event. It is essential for organizations hosting trade shows, conferences, concerts, festivals, celebrations or sporting events to maintain event cancellation insurance to improve their chances of recovering their losses if they cannot hold an event.

For years, the business events industry has been calling on policymakers to take action against the scammers who prey on our industry.

On Feb. 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) answered those calls with its new Government and Business Impersonation Rule, which will target scammers who impersonate businesses and government entities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is transforming every industry, allowing enterprises to enhance performance, improve productivity and gain insights from data. A recent study by analyst firm IDC found that 71% of survey respondents are using AI tools in their organizations, and 22% are planning to do so within the next 12 months.