The positive impact of an eco-responsible conference
For conference organisers, putting on an eco-designed event can have many positive repercussions.
Local service providers, use of recycled materials, digitisation of tools, energy efficiency – all these factors help to limit the ecological footprint of a business event.
In terms of communication, an eco-responsible event helps to build and nurture a positive image of the company among its customers and partners.
It can also unite internal teams around positive values and have a positive impact on employer brand communications.
Your eco-responsible conference: planning ahead from the project phase
Minimise your carbon footprint by integrating CSR thinking into your project from the outset.
Eco-designed activities and services
Before your conference, assess your project from an energy and sustainability point of view.
From the choice of site to the design of the stands, from the caterers selected to the recycling of waste, you can note the actions that have already been put in place or that you would like to develop by classifying them into 5 main subjects.
Download your eco-responsible conference checklist
- Controlling energy consumption
- Use of local and ethical resources
- Adapting communication
- Promoting soft mobility
- Waste management
MEETT will be with you every step of the way to prepare your sustainable conference in Toulouse
In addition to the architecture of MEETT, which has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, a number of other initiatives have enabled us to offer eco-friendly conferences.
- Choice of service providers
- Security, reception, catering, stand designers, florists, set designers – our referenced partners meet exacting specifications in terms of sustainable development and social integration. They are also located close to MEETT to limit the carbon footprint and to benefit the local economy.
- Materials, sorting and recycling
- Stands made of reusable or recycled materials are preferred.
- The communication tools are printed on green media using vegetable-based inks.
- Reusable carpet tiles are given priority. Failing that, MEETT uses carpets from recycling channels, which are then recycled.
- LED spotlights and low-energy lighting are routinely preferred.
- Sorting and recycling waste
- We have our own on-site sorting centre and work with waste recycling companies.
- We arrange selective sorting of all waste and encourage “carpet-free” spaces.
- We can put you in touch with MEETT’s partner, Banque Alimentaire, which recovers unused foodstuffs.
We can also put you in touch with UNIMEV and the Toulouse Chamber of Commerce and Industry if you would like to calculate the carbon footprint of your event.
Promoting and creating a positive dynamic around a sustainable conference
Specific communication campaigns aimed at eco-responsible conferences.
A conference is a fantastic communication tool for all your audiences.
Make your employees and all delegates aware of your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint.
Incorporate activities specifically dedicated to your CSR commitment into your communication strategy. Be sincere in your approach, be consistent and avoid an overdose of environmental elements, which, conversely, can damage your image.
- Information on catalogues, programmes and invitations
- Specific posts and publications on social networks
- Blog articles on the actions undertaken
- Dedicated press release
- Use of recycled paper and vegetable-based inks for printed tools
Sustainable actions that increase R.O.I.
To take things a step further, you can also get your delegates on board by asking them to extend your effort by adopting good practice.
Car-sharing, downloading electronic documents, as well as raising awareness of how to sort their own waste etc.
These are just some of the things you can do to reduce costs and make your event more profitable.
Organising a sustainable event step by step
The sustainable conference checklist
To optimise your approach, the MEETT teams have developed a summary document that brings together all your sustainable commitments. This is a double checklist upstream and downstream.
Beforehand, your checklist will enable you to list all the items on which you are positioning yourself.
Afterwards, you will draw up an assessment of the actions taken, the successes achieved and the areas for improvement for your next conference.
Your upstream and downstream checklist is here
Debriefing and capitalising on an eco-responsible event
The post-event evaluation and assessment period is often neglected. This is a fundamental step and a very powerful communication tool to exploit.
Take stock of the sustainable actions implemented, the costs generated and the savings achieved. Inform your internal audiences of these results and identify areas for improvement that you can reasonably commit your teams to.
