Leading brands show desire for sustainability at February summit
The findings of the recent All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into the competitiveness of the UK events industry and the Lords’ report into London 2012 have initiated a response from leading brands who are signing up to delve deeper into their sustainability strategies and share best practice with delegates attending the 2014 Sustainable Events Summit.
The full results of the APPG inquiry were revealed towards the end of 2013. Nick de Bois, Chair of the APPG for Events and Conservative MP for Enfield North, concluded that, despite major breakthroughs in sustainability, the events sector is playing lip service to the issues. The inquiry report stated: “A genuine desire by the end buyer for more sustainable events management practices has yet to be established.”
The Lords’ report into the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics stated: “The Olympic events set new international standards for sustainability, which future hosts of major events are committed to maintaining. The experience of developing and working to meet these standards should give UK businesses a competitive advantage when bidding for future contracts. We are not convinced however that this niche area of UK expertise is being effectively promoted.”
The Sustainable Events Summit exists to support a community which inspires the continuous development of a global sustainable event industry. At the summit speakers from major UK brands will be discussing ‘Who is doing What and Why?’, including: Inder Poonaji, Head of Safety, Health & Environment for Nestle; Jane Culcheth-Beard, Hewlett Packard’s Head of Events for Western Europe; Dan Germain, Head of Creative at Innocent; and Neil Harris, Cisco’s Head of Sustainability EMEA.
The Sustainable Events Summit, which will take place on 18 February at 30 Euston Square, will then call on the industry to do more to assist the evidenced desire by brands to stage more sustainable-focused events.
Nick de Bois commented: “We cannot risk waiting for another ten years to take significant action on this topic. Sustainable business practices could become a pre-condition for working with clients at any time and the events industry needs to show that it is ready and has evolved.”
Events agencies who have recently backed the summit as sponsors include Logistik Group, George P Johnson, drpgroup, Smart Group, RPM and The Black Tomato Agency. Suppliers who have come onboard include XL Video, Crowdcomms and Speakers Corner. Venues who will be in attendance include The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and The NEC. This is in addition to the established Founding Partners of the summit who are Grass Roots, Capita Travel and Events, Sportsworld, GES, Gallowglass and the Canada Tourism Commission.
Positive Impact, a not for profit group dedicated to the development of new resources and initiatives for a more sustainable event industry and contributor to APPG and Lords’ report, will provide the educational content for the Summit. Positive Impact, Managing Director Fiona Pelham said: “Summit attendees will have the chance to share their opinions and influence the voice of Positive Impact in 2014.”