Northstar Travel Group's Martin Balmer, Goyang Convention & Visitors Bureau's Peter Lee, The Lumiere Consulting's Ailynn Seah and Penang Green Council's Josephine Tan discuss the green conundrum at BE@Penang 2022. Photo Credit: Anis Ramli
As sustainability developments and the ESG agenda gain global momentum,
integrating sustainability into business events paves the way forward
for conscientious organisations.
However,
venues and destinations must be careful that they are implementing
authentic and genuine sustainability values and behaviours, or risk
being accused of greenwashing.
Panelists speaking at “Sustainability: A Revolving Conscious Choice” at the recent BE@Penang 2022 shared simple steps for consideration:
1. Join a business association to network and collaborate.
“One of the most important decisions any venue can make is to join an
organisation such as the Global Destination Sustainability Index
(GDSI-Index) to increase your competitiveness and recognition,” says
Peter Lee, managing director, Goyang Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“You’ll have information and tools to help you make better decisions,
improve business strategies, foster collaboration and innovation, and
gives your venue visibility," said Lee, who shared that the Korean city
of Goyang was ranked 18th by the index despite having just joined in
2017, ahead of Melbourne, which is now in 20th place.
2. Back sustainability claims with data.
“What gets measured gets valued,” says Ailynn Seah, CEO, The Lumiere
Consulting. “Venues are increasingly making pledges to achieve
sustainable and that’s encouraging. But the success of these commitments
will depend on having an accurate measure of the initiatives put
together and making sure that others can understand it, appreciate it
and use that information correctly.”
3. Venues can help ease execution of sustainable actions.
Since not all companies have the luxury of resources or manpower to
design or create sustainable initiatives, venues can provide green
advisory services to ease the burden of the organisers.
4. Start small to change the way how sustainability is viewed.
According to Josephine Tan of Penang Green Council, event planners
often find it a challenge working with the Council. “For example, we
require our suppliers and planners to think about waste management and
embrace energy efficiency. Here is where continuous dialogues are
important as we help them see the value of doing things, no matter how
small.”