As event planners in Geneva, Switzerland, we pursue waste minimisation and encourage our clients to do the same. However, hosting a sustainable corporate event isn’t just the responsible choice. It’s also a powerful way to enhance your brand’s image—while contributing to a healthier planet. In other words, it’s a win-win! Today, we’re exploring six actionable ways to make your next corporate event more eco-friendly. Read on to discover them!
Tips for Hosting a Sustainable Corporate Event
Be Mindful of Your Event’s Carbon Footprint
Consider your event’s carbon footprint while planning and selecting a venue. This includes your attendees’ travel and the event’s overall energy consumption. For example, if most of your attendees reside in the city centre, selecting a venue in the city centre is best.
Moreover, consider offsetting the environmental impact of your event by taking steps to reduce emissions. This could look like planting trees on your corporate campus and pursuing carbon neutrality. We love this free tool that allows you to calculate your event’s carbon footprint and make an equivalent contribution to climate protection initiatives!
Provide Eco-Conscious Transportation Options
The venue you choose should be easily accessible to prevent each attendee from taking multiple modes of transportation. Geneva’s public transportation network is extensive, so you can encourage attendees to use buses, trains, or trams to reach your event. Consider giving each attendee a public transit pass as a nudge toward the eco-friendly choice! Alternatively, if public transportation isn’t an option, consider providing group transportation—like a party bus or shuttle—to minimise the number of cars on the road.
Select a Green Event Venue
A “green” event venue actively pursues sustainability. Look for venues vocal about implementing eco-friendly practices such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and adherence to local sustainability guidelines.
Geneva boasts several excellent, eco-friendly event venues! The new Geneva Marriott Hotel is a state-of-the-art, sustainable hotel dedicated to reducing its environmental impact through geothermal energy, an electrochromic glass system, and a district heating system. Since it’s near the airport and city centre, it’s also conveniently located for attendees near and far.
Are you seeking a more opulent event setting? We recommend the Grand Théâtre de Genève, with its gilded foyers, high-ceilinged atrium, and selection of three private dining venues. You can even book an exclusive opera or ballet performance, known as a “prestige evening”—the perfect way to show appreciation to a valued client or partner. Discover more of our favourite corporate party venues in Switzerland!
Send Digital Invitations
Going paperless is a simple yet effective way to make your event more sustainable. Digital invitations have the obvious benefit of reducing paper waste, but they also streamline event communication. Your attendees will appreciate the convenience of receiving an invitation right to their inbox and the ease of sending a digital RSVP!
Consider going digital with your day-of paper as well. For example, you can direct guests to scannable QR codes instead of physical menu cards. This method also works well for event schedules and speaker bios, significantly minimising your event’s paper waste.
Offer Sustainable Swag
Guest favours are one of the best ways to show appreciation to your attendees. Unfortunately, they can also be wasteful, especially if they are made of plastic and land in the trash. As a sustainable swap, we suggest gifting locally-made items (biodegradable or edible is best!) in reusable bags. Even better, consider skipping conventional favours entirely and donating to an environmental charity—or the cause of each guest’s choice—on their behalf.
Source Local Catering
Our final tip for planning a sustainable corporate event is to seek out vendors offering local, “farm-to-table” cuisine. In Geneva, several catering companies specialise in working with local, seasonal ingredients. This method reduces your event’s carbon footprint and has the added benefit of producing fresh, delicious meals for your guests!
If your event requires takeaway containers, ensure your caterers provide biodegradable or reusable packaging. In addition, opt for compostable or reusable tableware, cutlery, and cups, rather than disposable options. This seemingly small switch can greatly reduce an event’s overall waste footprint.
Hosting an eco-friendly event isn’t just about embracing these suggestions, however effective—it’s also about promoting sustainable values. Make sustainability part of your event’s messaging through your welcome speech, signage, and post-event communications. Highlight the steps you’ve taken to reduce the event’s environmental impact and encourage attendees to follow sustainable practices in their day-to-day lives. Then, you’ll have truly succeeded at planning a sustainable corporate event! Contact us today to start planning yours.
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Photography: Fabien Delétraz
Floral Design: Lilas & Rose