How to Host More Environmentally Conscious Events

We live in a time when customers are influencing greater control over corporate policies simply by choosing who they work with, buy from and more based on if the brand practices what they preach - and what they preach at all. Being socially aware and responsible is no longer appreciated, it’s expected as people place high demands on businesses to be charitable, considerate and eco-friendly. In fact, going green is increasingly more important as 80% of consumers determine their respect for and reflection of a brand based on their environmental practices. More simply, they want to see companies making a difference. 

This typically starts within their offices - perhaps eliminating bottled water in favor of filtration systems and refill fountains. But it’s not just about what daily, on-site changes they’re making, but extending and committing to those eco-driven business practices beyond their walls - such as the events they host. 

As events continue to be an integral part of companies’ marketing and employee engagement initiatives, so must they be a reflection of their social responsibility. And it shows - according to a recent survey of event planning managers, making events more environmentally friendly was a top concern they cited.  

So often people think of papers at registration, wasteful favors or even physical business cards as areas of improvement, however, one of the most urgent concerns is the overuse of plastic. Plastic production continues to be an enormous threat to our environment, tipping the scales at 320 million metric tons each year. Plastic has been pervasive at events for years, from bottles of drinking water, signage and even what we may consider one of the most recognizable event staples - the lanyard sleeve. It’s been a mainstay for decades, offering real estate for name cards that signify roles, parent company and more. But usually, once the event ends, they’re tossed aside - creating waste.

However, as environmental concerns have heightened, so has our ability to do something about them. Technology is reshaping the way we communicate, do business and more - creating a digital thread that renders plastic and paper products unnecessary.  

At Proxfinity, while our main goal is to bring together and create more meaningful connections - we’re also playing a role in helping push companies’ green agendas forward. Every effort - big or small - helps us to be more environmentally responsible. That’s why our CUE badge can be repurposed over and over again so companies can eliminate costly and unnecessary printing and plastic consumption at events. With a digital screen, they can connect event attendees, register contact information and even alleviate registration and permission pains, such as waivers, upon arrival. With CUE, we can manage the entire lifespan of an attendee’s experience digitally. 

It’s important, as businesses, we all do our part to eliminate waste where we can and find new-age solutions that are better for the environment. Just as we know the value of human-to-human connection, we also recognize the value of our connection, and responsibility, to our planet, and our proud CUE can play a role in strengthening it.