Asking businesses to be part of creating a sustainable event industry
In 2019, Positive Impact created a microsite which set out the ways that companies could get involved with the creation of a sustainable event sector.
We’ve provided a summary of the content from that microsite below. The format has been changed slightly so it’s easier to read as a single page, but you can find screenshots from the original web pages at the end.
INTRODUCTION
Positive Impact Events is a not for profit creating a sustainable event industry since 2004.
By sustainable, we mean positive economic, environmental and social impacts in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For the event industry, we mean everyone within the supply chain (e.g. destinations, venues, event agencies, hotels etc.) who make it possible for two or more people to connect with a shared purpose at an event.
Here’s how we’re doing it
Positive Impact Events is creating an ‘Acceleration Commitment’ (i.e. a plan with indicators) to submit to the United Nations for their Sustainable Development Goal Summit in September 2019.
The ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will communicate the business case for events in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, so that the global event industry can be part of the conversation with businesses and global government on the ten year plan to achieve the sustainable development goals.
The ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will also build on 5 existing partnerships, Memorandum of Association, affiliation and agreements which Positive Impact Events has with United Nations bodies and create opportunities for collaboration with global government and business.
THE BUSINESS CASE
The business case for a sustainable event industry
Positive Impact Events is a not for profit creating a sustainable event industry since 2004. This means that every time an event happens, there is a positive environmental, social, and/or economic impact. Positive Impact Events shares best practice, faciliates conversations to facilitate industry-changing reports, creates content, tools and campaigns to tell the story of the power of events.
To understand why this work is essential for the future of the event industry, listen to a webinar from future event attendees or read the 2018 IPCC report, which recommends using more technology rather than travelling to meetings.
The Business Case for Submitting an ‘Acceleration Commitment’ on Behalf of the Global Event Industry in September 2019
An ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will communicate the business case for events to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This way the event industry will be part of the conversation with businesses and global government on the ten year plan to achieve the goals.
September 2019 was the deadline for all industries to submit an ‘Acceleration Commitment’, after which the United Nations and global businesses created action plans based on the submissions. This was a clear opportunity for events to be recognised as a solution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, rather than being identified as one of the causes of the problem (for example, in a 2018 IPCC Report, the recommendation was to use technology more and travel to meetings less).
This ‘Acceleration Commitment’ will build on Positive Impact Events’ 5 existing partnerships, Memorandum of Association, affiliation and agreements with United Nations bodies.
This commitment will not just be from Positive Impact Events; instead it is an opportunity for the whole event industry to open the door to further conversations with the United Nations and global businesses about the role of events in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals. These goals are what future government and business strategy will be shaped around.
Listen to the interview with EventIcons to hear Fiona Pelham Positive Impact Events CEO explain more about the clear opportunity and the business case for creating the ‘Acceleration Commitment’.
FAQ
We’ve put together some short videos to help you engage the global event Industry with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS
To support the deliverables of the Acceleration Commitment/Action that Positive Impact Events shared with the UN on September 24th 2019 to ensure that the event industry contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, my company will:
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Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
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Support for best practice sharing
Opportunity to provide content for a report
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our annual white paper, focused on the event industry and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, which launches at IBTM World every November. Last year the report was shared with a community of over 10,000.
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Materials to be able to implement ISO 20121 to first party certification standard through four interactive workshops
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our annual white paper, focused on the event industry and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, which launches at IBTM World every November. Last year the report was shared with a community of over 10,000.
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Support for best practice sharing
Receive basic content for a specific community’s needs which could include reference to your company
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events could include your story being shared by:Our community of over 400 Positive Impact Ambassadors from over 23 countries
Our global social media and email community of over 8,500
Event and sustainability media coverage which for this campaign so far has included : * Meetingsnet * 3BL Media * CIM Unity * Meetpie * Conference & Incentive Travel * Conference Meetings World * Conference News * Destination UK * Event Industry News * Event News Online * Exhibition News * Exhibition World * Stand Out * Northstar Media newsletter * Travel Daily UK * Eglobal travel media * Access All Areas * CMW * TW * Association Meetings International * HQ Europe * ESSA (Event Supplier and Services Association) News * ICTM * Earthlanka.net *Eturbo
Our regular insight panels (partnered with Streamline) which take place around the world and gathers blue chip event organisers to discuss topics such as food waste and addressing the role of plastics. A report is produced following each insight panel and is shared across the Positive Impact Events community.
Our secretariats who share with their communities of event professionals in their local markets including Cerespo in Japan
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Support for best practice sharing
Receive basic tools (e.g. an app) for a specific community’s needs which could include reference to your company
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events is available upon request. -
Support for best practice sharing
Alignment with United Nations partner, event industry associations and at least 6 event industry media partners
Tailored and unique opportunities to tell your story at the same time as supporting the creation of a sustainable event industry
Logo placement on website
Thank you within the Positive Impact Events community
Your Return on Investment for supporting Positive Impact Events is available upon request. -
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