A 2020 forecast Sustainability trends

Clean, green and serious

“Those that think it will be business as usual in 2020 will probably not be in business in 2021. As consumers gain an increasingly sophisticated understanding of climate change issues, the events industry will be forced to clean up its image as well as its operations. This means greater corporate compliance, more responsible procurement, and the growth of e-events and hybrid events thanks to improvements in technology.

With this will come the understanding that greening is not a trend that will pass, but is the new and necessary way of doing business. The success of a business will be measured according to how well it can do this, and not only its profit margin.”

– Greg McManus, chairperson of the EGF

Greater awareness

“Awareness about sustainability issues has increased dramatically in 2019, and I believe it will continue to grow and evolve in 2020. Consumers across industries are becoming very savvy about the real issues and demanding that the brands they select make strides in sustainability.

For this reason, at Fedhasa we shall continue with sustainability awareness programmes. This has several benefits for the property owners, society and communities on a long-term basis. We also hope to conduct sustainability assessments in the new financial term.”

– Lee Zama, chief executive officer of Fedhasa

Sustainable supply chains

“Clients will start demanding sustainability from service providers. As the person paying for the work, they are culpable for any non-sustainable actions. And, equally, they are praiseworthy of appointing and implementing in an eco-aware way. As such, certification and self-regulation is already becoming a norm and no longer the exception.

In the quest to build faster, better, cleaner, and also satisfy socioeconomic demands, alternative materials and methods will begin to dominate our market.”

– Gary van Der Watt, board member & EGF representative for EXSA

A willingness to learn, to share & to grow

“I would venture to forecast that one of the biggest sustainability trends going into 2020 and beyond would be the willingness of individuals and companies to learn and be taught on best practice relating to sustainability.

Individuals or companies that find solutions or get results from independent research will share this knowledge with others without the expectation of major financial remuneration.

I also anticipate that there will be a lot of innovation to find effective solutions to drive true sustainability. I believe that industry members will start to notice opportunities to problem solve unique solutions specifically relating to sustainability – whether driven by their client’s brief and expectation to deliver these specific type of deliverables, or because of their own consciousness of what is actually needed to make a positive difference for the future.”

– Doug Rix, Chairman of EXSA

Responsible animal interactions

“One of the biggest sustainability trends forecasted in the tourism industry for 2020 is undoubtedly the topic of animal interaction, particularly with the introduction of the first locally born guidelines on captive wildlife interactions, launched at the end of October 2019 by the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA).

Captive wildlife attractions and interactions remain a complex, contentious and emotionally charged issue. The travel industry and tourists alike are looking for ways to limit the impact of their actions and choices, especially when it concerns animal welfare and conservation. The sustainability of our tourism industry is based on the enjoyment of nature and wildlife in their natural habitat. From this point onwards, the conversation as well as the social movement needs to move towards reforming the captive wildlife sector further, and the National Department of Tourism (NDT) ‘will be looking into the guidelines in detail to ensure that we support emerging product owners to meet such standards’.”

– David Frost, chief executive officer of SATSA

Tech-driven efficiency

“In 2020 we will continue to see the business events industry in South Africa work towards improving environmental sustainability at all levels. We have seen the impact of digital collaborative creation in which mobile event apps and digital technologies have already massively reduced pre and onsite printing, and drive better delegate experience. The digital platforms will present the business events industry with direct access for communication on current and future ways we can take care of the environment. Sustainability is a key imperative for the business events industry. With time it has become the strategic driver of future growth for our industry.”

– Glenton de Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI

Laser technology

“The sustainability trend gaining most ground in the audio-visual sector is the rapid deployment of laser-based projector systems. Laser-based projectors have been available in the market for about 10 years, but users have been slow to jump on the laser bandwagon because of the higher price tag. However, as technology has evolved, prices have fallen, and in 2020 the premium you’d have expected to pay for laser technology has shrunk to the point where it’s no longer a factor. One of the big advantages of laser technology is lower power consumption, and since they can handle nearly any wavelength of light, they’re able to produce deeper, richer, more precise colours as well.

Longevity is also a plus. Not only do laser projectors emit a brighter

light than bulb projectors, they also maintain that brightness over time. Unlike bulb projectors, which tend to lose their colour and luminosity relatively quickly, a 5 000-lumen laser projector will still run pretty much at 5 000 lumens in two to three years.

Manufacturers of laser projectors are promising a 20,000-hour lamp life. Compare that with the average 3,000- hour lifespan of a traditional lamp projector, and you can understand the appeal. Of course, you can’t replace the laser once it fails, but that’s unlikely to happen for at least 12 years, and only if you use it 8 hours every day.”

– Kevan Jones, executive director of SAICA