INSIGHTS
Hosting sustainable events while supporting local culture and communities
Arguably the most important topics in recent years are environmental sustainability and stability. With continuous reports from scientific organizations detailing how climate change is imminently affecting our world, it is time to seriously reflect on how we can give back and care more about our planet. Marriott Bonvoy Events have shared their insights into how they are putting sustainability first, hosting sustainable events while supporting local cultures and communities.
A Key Part of Living Sustainably
One of the best ways to live and travel sustainably is to support local culture and communities. This is why it's so important to source from small, local businesses that commit to a reduced carbon footprint - as Marriott Bonvoy do. By supporting these local communities, there is a reduction of carbon footprint by avoiding overseas import of goods and services.
When supporting these local communities and cultures, the goal is to diminish greenhouse gas emissions. It is a necessity that the world shifts to focusing on these local businesses to act against climate change. Hosting an event that emphasises and stars these local communities is sustainable and it promises fresher produce, unique customs, and a more scintillating atmosphere.
A Focus on Sustainability: How to Host a Sustainable Event
There is a unique opportunity to provide a change for the better by actively choosing who and what to support. For example, Marriott’s Serve 360 program leads the planet in a direction that allows individuals, communities, and the world to see a positive change. The four pillars of Marriott’s Serve 360 Program are Nurture, Sustain, Empower, and Welcome.
Delving deeper into Marriott’s Serve 360’s principle of Sustain, Marriott acknowledges a large amount of responsibility that must be taken to reduce environmental impact and mitigate climate-change risk. Because of this, operations are focused on using renewable energy sources as well as limiting water and energy usage. The introduction of Sustainable Design Standards further guides hotels with more sustainable operation solutions. Materials for presentations, decorations, and productions are needed – recyclable resources are also used whenever possible.
Sustainability is a duty that everyone can contribute to. For example, when event planners prepare for their upcoming event, they can consider using sustainable or recyclable materials, not limiting to the structures, giveaways/souvenirs, and signages. Other options to support this movement can be the choice and quantity of F&B ordering - aiming to reduce the amount of food wastage and perhaps meatless alternatives.
Another consideration is promoting to your attendees how they can partake in this action, such as in pre-arrival communication reminders, and encourage them to travel with their reusable water bottles and personal toiletries (e.g., toothbrushes, combs) to avoid single-use amenities. Of course, hotels provided these anyways – it’s important to educate and convey the sustainability efforts.
Everyone has a role to play and there are many opportunities to be more sustainable.
Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™: Actively Participate in a Sustainable Event
Not only can choosing the right brand and place make a difference, but actively participating in helping local communities can bring about real, tangible change. A great example of this is the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™ program, where some hotels offer a unique sustainable initiative that helps the local community.
Instead of contacting many local NGOs to try to organize difficult schedules for volunteering or charity work, Good Travel has been set up to connect volunteers with local organizations. Guests can see their immediate impact on making a difference in the lives of the local communities, without event organizers having to worry about the red-tape of corporate guidelines.
With a myriad of activities and charities to participate in from Community Engagement, Marine Conversation, and Environmental Protection, guests can truly live more sustainably while seeing positive change come from their volunteering.
The ‘Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™ program is an initiative where small groups or individuals can participate, it can be arranged ahead of time if attendees wish to participate in local sustainability efforts.
Ideas on How to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Event:
The Exchange, Australia 2023
At the recent B2B event, The Exchange, Australia, that was held in Melbourne and Sydney in May this year, Marriott Bonvoy Events piloted interactive, engaging activities for guests where trees will be donated to be planted on behalf of the guests. The Green Zone features a sustainable, interactive booth where attendees have the chance to enter and explore an enchanting world of greenery. Each guest that participated at the Green Zone gets a chance to donate one tree to be planted in Australia. To date, 200 trees will be donated and planted in Australia, serving as event planners’ efforts to give back to the environment.
To align with Marriott’s commitment to sustainability, the materials used for the recent events in Melbourne and Sydney were sourced from 100% recyclable resources. From name badges, poster boards to presentation tools, all the materials can be either reused or recycled after the event. Not only were the products recyclable, but the materials used were also grown in FSC®-certified and managed forests. This certification focuses on promoting responsible, sustainable management of the world’s forests.
These powerful guidelines from Marriott Bonvoy Events ensures that the local community is supported and sustainability is embedded throughout each decision that is made - from participating in sustainable initiatives, sourcing recyclable materials, or guests having the chance to volunteer locally.