Saving the planet … one event at a time!

Countless numbers of trade shows, conferences, exhibitions and other large-scale events are held around the world each year.  The billion-dollar meetings industry, euphemistically referred to as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), undeniably delivers considerable economic benefits to the towns, cities, regions and countries that act as event hosts.

But looked at through a different lens, this global behemoth could also be viewed as being something approaching an eco-terrorist in terms of the less-than-mouse-sized carbon footprint it leaves wherever it sets foot.   Long-distance travel … excessive use of print … disposable everything from food and drink containers to branded ‘goodie bags’ … the list of things that are not good for the environment is an impressive one when it comes to events.

As a consequence, over recent years, there has been a concerted effort on the part of responsible event producers to “green up” their acts.  Many industry associations have put in play voluntary best practice codes to drive improvements, giving birth to the concept of the sustainable event.

Producers of fully sustainable events aspire to minimise the impact of their events on the environment through following these best practices at every stage of the event’s life from registration through to the physical mop up afterwards.  In response, a sub-industry of innovative technology providers has sprung up offering an amazing variety of viable alternatives to conventional event practices across the board.

In the realm of printed materials, where the waste volumes are eye-wateringly high, ShowGizmo is one such product.  A web and smartphone event application, Show Gizmo incorporates a digital event programme and floorplan and allows people to exchange v-cards and connect with each other without any paper changing hands. The system’s smart use of QR codes opens the door for printed exhibitor/vendor brochures in any quantity to be a thing of the past as attendees can simply collect and store them using the app on their phones.

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