Going Green and Beyond: How Meetingbox Can Supercharge Your Sustainable Event Planning 

As the seasons shift and the world around us becomes greener, it's an opportune time to reflect on the importance of sustainability. In recent years, the event industry has recognized the profound impact that events have on the environment, making sustainability a top priority. Many music festivals, trade shows, conferences, sports events, and corporate events have implemented green initiatives and adopted environmentally conscious practices. Examples include reducing waste, using renewable energy sources, promoting eco-friendly transportation options, sourcing sustainable materials for event decorations, offering virtual attendance options, composting food waste, and using reusable cups and plates.

The demand for green events continues to rise. 72% of event planners in 2022 were asked to incorporate sustainable practices into their events, compared to only 29% in 2019, according to a recent survey conducted by EventMB.

Going green not only aligns with our moral values, but also presents a practical choice. Given the event industry is responsible for approximately 1-2% of global carbon emissions, sustainable practices play a crucial role in the event management business. Sustainable event planning can reduce carbon footprints by up to 90%. By adopting sustainable practices, organizers are likely to lower their costs, enhance their reputation, attract more attendees and sponsors and comply with legal standards. Moreover, sustainability has now become a business opportunity. According to a study by Nielsen, 73% of millennials and 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services. This indicates that incorporating sustainable practices in event planning can attract a wider audience and create a competitive edge for event organizers.

Meetingbox, an all-in-one event management platform for virtual, in-person, and hybrid events, supports the complete lifecycle of events and all aspects of an event planner's job. Meetingbox offers several ways to help event planners go green:

Paperless Events

Meetingbox event management software creates and distributes digital event agendas, reducing the need for paper handouts. Our event planning software also communicates with attendees and exhibitors electronically, saving on the time and cost involved in mailing and postage. With the use of our digital networking tools, attendees can exchange contact information and connect, reducing the need for physical business cards and waste generation. From schedules, floorplans, and programmes, everything can be done with an event app nowadays.

Hybrid Events: A Greener Alternative 

A hybrid event is an event that combines both in-person and virtual elements. It allows attendees to participate in the event remotely, using online platforms or video conferencing tools, while others attend in person at the physical venue. Meetingbox is frequently used to create and manage hybrid events, minimizing the environmental impact of events by reducing travel. According to research by the University of Cambridge, hybrid events reduce emissions by up to 90%! 

Hybrid events are more eco-friendly as they cut down on emissions and waste. They also empower guests to take their carbon footprint into their own hands. Hybrid events are gaining momentum in the event industry for their intrinsic advantages, growing in popularity by 35% since 2020. Research shows that event planners and attendees simply prefer them with 87% of businesses seeing an ROI on hybrid events within 7 months of the event date.

‍Sustainable Branding Options 

A viable way to digitize events and reduce waste is to replace non-recyclable banners with LED screens as part of stage design. This may seem costly at first glance, but it offers an opportunity to generate more sponsorship revenue. A glowing, animated display is much more engaging than an old-fashioned banner. Quality event technology not only optimizes the creation of sustainable events, but also improves the entire event planning process. Meetingbox, for instance, streamlines and automates everything from branding to marketing, networking, live streaming, post-event analyses, and everything else without using a shred of paper!

You can employ Meetingbox's branding option not only to enhance physical event experiences but also to host fully virtual ones, highlighting your company's commitment to sustainability. An impressive branding option is to create a cool virtual venue that focuses on sustainability. With Meetingbox, you can design an interactive 3D virtual world that simulates a forest or park, featuring interactive elements such as trails, waterfalls, and wildlife. Participants can explore this virtual environment and engage in various activities, including team-building exercises and networking events. The sustainability aspect can be accentuated by incorporating educational elements such as information on sustainable forestry practices and wildlife conservation efforts. This virtual venue idea offers a unique and engaging experience for participants, while also showcasing your company's commitment to sustainability.

In conclusion, incorporating sustainable practices in event planning is crucial in reducing the carbon footprint of the event industry. Meetingbox's event management platform offers a range of eco-friendly options, which help event planners reduce waste and cut down on carbon emissions,    making Meetingbox an excellent choice for those looking to create sustainable events.