Elevate your eco agenda at ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore

Events have been gaining more traction in executing and fulfilling successful eco agendas as part of CSR efforts, which have in turn gained the strong approval of attendees. Sustainability, while not a new trend, looks to receive heightened attention this coming year, and planners are increasingly mindful about working with venues with green goals.

One such venue is ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore, which has sustainability written into its DNA.

“Adopting green innovations at ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore is at the core of the hotel’s brand values, and with our integrated approach to sustainability, we can provide insights based on our hotel capabilities and suggest activities to help deliver a more impactful green experience for your event,” shared GM Melvin Lim of ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore.

The green philosophy

Talk a walk through the property and you will see that eco-friendly practices are integrated into every aspect of its operations and design.

Greenery features prominently with over 2,400 plants spread across 1,394 sqm, giving the impression of an indoor forest. Besides making for a great event backdrop, the design is also functional as plants double up as natural air purifiers and sinks for carbon dioxide.

Solar panels generate electricity for the hotel while public spaces and guestrooms are equipped with motion sensors and ballrooms are adorned with energy-efficient LED walls and lights. There are also over 580 recycling bins on the premises to encourage recycling.

Beyond its physical space, the hotel ensures events adhere to sustainable practices, for instance, with the elimination of single-use bottles in favour of refillable water carafes. Stationery stations are also set up during events to encourage a “take what you need” mentality.

Creative use of recyclable materials are evident too, with ballpoint pens that are repurposed from used Nespresso coffee capsules, which in turn are made from recycled aluminium. To ensure minimal wastage, coffee grounds are also processed as natural fertilisers for the hotel’s onsite farm.

From farm to table, bar and spa

With over 60 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, the Urban Farm is one of Singapore’s largest and provides 20% of the hotel’s supply, shared Lim. This allows the hotel to reduce its dependence on the food supply chain and overall carbon footprint.

For a more engaging event experience, planners can arrange for delegates to take part in a guided urban farm tour, which will explain the benefits of urban farming. This can be followed by sensorial experiences on how the hotel adopts farm-to-table, farm-to-bar and farm-to-spa concepts with a plant-based dining experience at Peppermint; networking cocktails at Portman’s Bar; or a body treatment at St. Gregory Spa.

There is also the option of farm-to-table working lunches, packed in eco-friendly bento boxes, for shorter, more impactful meetings.

According to Lim, there has already been “high interest” in the hotel’s green meeting package. “It’s an eco-centric meeting alternative that focuses on purposefully implemented eco-friendly practices… as well as sustainable options,” he elaborated.

To enhance the delegate experience, planners can also opt to ferry guests using the hotel’s electric car, which is said to travel 400km in a single charge without pollutants and much noise.

The future is green and hybrid

While hybrid and virtual meetings took off due to the necessity arising from the pandemic, such events have the potential to reduce a conference’s carbon footprint and energy use without sacrificing delegate participation.

Recognising its growing popularity, the hotel introduced Green Room – a green room and studio that is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and digital conference facilities. Supported by a dedicated technical and events team, Green Room allows planners to incorporate hybrid events in a seamless manner.

Past hybrid events that have been held include the PRISM Awards ceremony organised by the Institute of Public Relations (IPRS) in December 2021, Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice Awards 2021, and M&C Asia Stella Awards 2021, held in the hotel’s Garden Ballroom.

Planners who are keen to hold outdoor events can opt for the Green Space on level 5, which may also be utilised for morning outdoor yoga before meetings.