As the corporate world increasingly focuses on environmental responsibility, hosting sustainable business events has become a priority for many organizations. Prince Edward Island (PEI), known for its natural beauty and commitment to sustainability, offers valuable insights and examples for corporate planners looking to reduce the environmental impact of their events.
Here are 5 practical tips for hosting greener meetings, with a spotlight on initiatives from Meet PEI that can inspire your own sustainable planning process:
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Venues
Selecting a venue that prioritizes sustainability is crucial. Look for facilities with green building certifications, energy-efficient systems, and robust recycling programs.
Meet PEI showcases several venues that exemplify these qualities, making it easier for planners to find a location that aligns with their environmental goals.
For example, the Holman Grand Hotel in downtown Charlottetown is Green Key Certified and has incorporated various sustainable practices directly into the design of the hotel itself. It utilizes passive solar heat, natural lighting strategies, and a geothermal system aided by district energy (energy from waste) to provide heating and cooling for the entire property.
2. Incorporate Local and Sustainable Cuisine
Fresh PEI Oysters at The Table Culinary Studio
Credit: Meet PEI/Rachel Peters Photography
Use catering services and offsite dining that emphasize local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. This not only supports the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
On Prince Edward Island, local delicacies like mussels and oysters are an excellent sustainable option for receptions and networking events. These shellfish are filter feeders, meaning they improve water quality by removing excess nutrients and sediment from the surrounding ecosystem. By consuming phytoplankton, they help maintain a healthy balance in PEI’s aquatic environment.
3. Go Digital: Reduce Unnecessary Paper Waste
Historically, conferences and large corporate events have been responsible for a significant amount of waste that ultimately ends up in the local landfill. To minimize this, opt for reusable and digital options like digitized meeting documents, recycled lanyards/name badges, or a virtual conference app.
The PEI Virtual Delegate Bag provides a unique solution to the paper waste from delegate welcome bags. The app simplifies your attendees’ experience by providing all necessary information about the destination in one digital platform and reducing the need for physical materials. This saves costs for you, while minimizing waste and supporting your sustainability efforts.
4. Plan Eco-Friendly Activities
Incorporate activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability. These can be as simple as a break in your schedule for a wellness walk or responsibly engaging with the many outdoor activities available in the area.
PEI can offer a range of eco-friendly activity options, such as e-bike cycling tours, local walking tours, and beach clean-ups, which can serve as team-building exercises while reinforcing the event’s green objectives.
Winter Fatbiking in Covehead, PEI
Credit: Tourism PEI / Glen Strickey
5. Give Back to the Community
Planning sustainable business events involves more than just managing your carbon footprint. As an industry, we need to think about how our events are affecting the local community and leaving the host destination better than we left it. Engage with the local community by supporting local charities, participating in volunteer activities, or attending community events and festivals.
Food rescue programs are a huge opportunity for corporate events to give back to the community. When planning your event, you can request that your host venue or caterer coordinate with a food rescue organization like Second Harvest to redistribute the leftover and surplus food to locals in need.
By adopting these tips, you can host a business event that reflects your organization’s commitment to sustainability. For more information, download a copy of Meet PEI’s Business Events Sustainability Guide on their website.
For more information on how Meet PEI can bring your business event’s vision to life, visit www.meetpei.com.
