EVENT GREENING FORUM
EGF Master Class:
Takeaways for the events industry to #BuildBackBetter
Morwesi Ramonyai, vice chair of the Event Greening Forum.
Meegan Jones, president of the international SEA.
Shawna McKinley, sustainability consultant, event planner and author.
The Event Greening Forum (EGF) held its Master Class on 18 November 2020. Its aim was to unpack how the events industry can #BuildBackBetter to produce events that both mitigate the risks of Covid-19 transmissions and promote sustainability principles.
M
orwesi Ramonyai, vice chair of the Event Greening Forum and an impact entrepreneur with nine years’ experience in the green economy, was the MC and facilitator for the session. She was joined by three speakers who addressed the theme from different angles.
Can we safely use reusables? Meegan Jones, president of the international Sustainable Event Alliance (SEA) and author of Sustainable event management: A practical guide, spoke about the Sustainable Event Alliance’s recent hackathon event which gathered 800 event professionals from around the world to consider where sustainable event management priorities should be focused in our new normal.
One major issue which came up was a concern that we may undo the good work already done in getting off singleuse plastic at events, because of uncertainty about reusable serviceware and Covid-19. Research and guidelines were produced as a result. You can download the Reusables hygiene at events: Global best practice guidelines here1. “The good news,” Ms Jones said, “Is that if existing hygiene standards for reusables at events are adhered to, they will be Covid-safe.” She added that, when handling reusables at events, you would need to put in place measures to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. These would be the same ones needed when handling disposables, as all physical items being handled at events carry a
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potential risk of transmission. Ms Jones also outlined the four pillars that she believes are essential to events of the future. These are: • Purpose driven: Every event needs to have a clear purpose and benefit in bringing people together. • Covid-safe: All recommended precautions need to be in place to safeguard the health and wellbeing of both staff and guests. • Circular: The principles of a circular economy should be integrated into your event planning. This requires a shift in thinking and event design, with the result that your event will produce little to no waste. • Climate responsible: Favour actions that will reduce the carbon footprint of your event. www.businesseventsafrica.com
