EVENT GREENING FORUM

Greening by design

Do you ever feel that the term ‘sustainable event’ has become code for ‘beige and boring’? For example, optimising waste reduction means cutting down on creativity? Think again.

SAACI’s 2024 Congress flipped the script, proving that going green can actually boost your event’s wow factor. They ditched the ‘eco-constraints’ mindset and embraced sustainability as a creative challenge — with some seriously impressive results.

Less waste, more wow

For event planners, unique branding and high-impact décor are essential to communicate event identity and engage attendees. However, what happens when you pair this with a commitment to minimising waste? You’re forced to get creative — and that’s exactly what SAACI did.

“We didn’t use any new plots. We used recycled plots from previous events,” explained Glenton De Kock, chief executive officer of SAACI. Instead of crafting fresh signage for every session or activity, the team repurposed old signage and gave it new life. Same idea, fresh execution. The result? Lower costs and a streamlined event footprint — all without sacrificing visual impact.

And the furniture? Same story. “We actually used the same furniture look and feel,” Mr De Kock shares. They simply switched things up with lighting, draping, and a bit of rearranging magic, making the same space feel brand new for every session.

SAACI also tackled the paper problem, a nemesis for many event planners (and trees everywhere). “We're almost paperless," Mr De Kock admits, though achieving fully paperless proved a bit trickier than anticipated; as he explained, eliminating name tags remains a challenge as people seem to insist on having them. Regardless, they made huge strides by leaning into digital programmes and communications.

Plants with a purpose

SAACI didn’t stop at reusing furniture and signage. They brought in the green –literally – by incorporating living plants into their décor. Not only did this add a touch of natural beauty to the venue, but it also created an opportunity for community impact.

After the Congress, the plants weren’t just tossed aside. They found a new home with local businesses specialising in indoor plants. ”What we always look for within our eventing… is how best to ensure that there’s a legacy after the event,” Mr De Kock highlighted. Sustainability isn’t just about the here and now; it’s about what you leave behind.

Thinking outside the (recycle) bin

The SAACI Congress emphasises an important truth: sustainability doesn’t have to be boring or expensive. In fact, often the opposite is true. When limitations are viewed as creative springboards, one begins to observe genuinely innovative and inspired solutions.

By challenging the traditional ‘takemake-dispose’ mentality, SAACI demonstrated the power of creative reuse, repurposing, and reducing. From décor to catering to delegate experience, every aspect was touched by this innovative sustainable approach.

The real takeaway is that going green is the new normal for events — embrace it!

About us

The Event Greening Forum is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. To find out more, please visit www.eventgreening.co.za