Planning an event is thrilling, but I’ve realized it’s also a chance to make a difference. Last year, after organizing an event that left heaps of waste behind, I vowed to rethink how I do things. For my next event, I’m keeping sustainability at the heart. I’ll work with local vendors to cut down on emissions and use reusable décor. Leftover food? That’ll feed those in need. Sustainable planning isn’t just a trend; it’s a mindset. Small efforts like these inspire bigger change. Let’s redefine how we celebrate together, we can make every moment count.

You can create a wine list with all sustainable vineyards. There's many with zero footprint. Can use biodegradable agave straws (often made by tequila distillers, so we've made it part of our negotiations with trquila brands). Using lettuce wraps or bamboo plates also helps. We've done spaces where we grind all food waste to conversion to fertilizer and recycled all cooking oil (but can't do that if the facility isn't set up for it). Also good to use animal fat scraps as cooking tallow (tastier too!). We also grow nearly all of our herbs on-site in recycled milk crate pots.

Here are some simple ways to minimize the carbon footprint of your next big event: Planning: * Choose a sustainable venue. * Encourage virtual or hybrid attendance. * Use eco-friendly invitations. * Source local and seasonal food. * Minimize waste with reusable decorations and supplies. During the Event: * Use energy-efficient lighting and appliances. * Encourage sustainable transportation. * Reduce single-use plastics. * Offer water stations with reusable bottles. * Educate attendees about sustainable practices. Post-Event: * Donate leftover food and reusable items. * Offset your carbon footprint. * Gather feedback for future events. By taking these steps, you can create a more sustainable and eco-friendly event. -Azhar-

We can strive to minimize the event’s carbon footprint, but assuming all attendees are already familiar with sustainability would be a significant oversight. Sharing information about the event’s green initiatives and ways attendees can contribute is an excellent way to foster awareness and engagement.

What most organizers don't realize is that creating a sustainable event and reducing your carbon footprint is actually a fairly easy thing to implement. The problem is that the conversation happens too late in the game and the last minute solutions end up being a piecemeal collection of actions and activities that *appear* to be green, but in reality they end up being mostly just for show. If you're serious about sustainability, then have it designed into the fabric of your event from the start. This is another huge reason why you should always be working with a professional event strategist and experience designer (ExD) from day one of the planning stage. Otherwise you're reducing the impact of your event and missing out on potential ROI.