If you haven’t already, 2020 is the year that you need to drastically improve the sustainability of your event. With the rise in climate strikes and protests- as well as Greta Thunberg sailing across the Atlantic- sustainability has come to the forefront of public conversation in 2019. As a result, more and more people are pledging to go #flightfree in 2020. So, how will this affect the events industry?
The Problem
Did you know that in 2012 trade shows were reported as one of the most wasteful industries? Every year the events industry generates around 600,000 tons of landfill, huge when compared to the industry’s size.
As well as this, unnecessary flying is a huge contributor to the event industry’s carbon footprint. On average, attendee air travel contributes to around 70% of an event’s overall carbon footprint. Due to increased accessibility and decreased price, flying has become an easy option for attendees travelling to events.
However, with the #flightfree pledge going mainstream, more people are ditching the skies altogether. So, how can you ensure that your event fits with this trend?
Working Towards a Solution
For many, going entirely flight free is unrealistic. However, solutions can be put in place to reduce unnecessary attendee travel to your event.
1. Live Stream
There are countless platforms that provide the opportunity to live stream. Your attendees will be familiar with the technology and will be able to access your event from anywhere in the world. This opens your content up for a far larger audience and allows attendees to refer back to it at a later date.
Sell access to online content at a cheaper rate than your normal tickets to encourage reduced attendee travel.
2. Engage Through and Event App
Naturally, the idea of a live stream sounds alarm bells when it comes to attendee engagement. However, an event app can eliminate the issue of engaging remote attendees. Through live polling and in-app Q&A, attendees can have their say during sessions from anywhere in the world!
Ensure that you really focus on incorporating live event app features with your event content. Make sure it makes sense for your remote attendees as well as those in the room.
3. Games and Competitions
Through an event app you can also host games and competitions to get people involved no matter where they are in the world. You could also incorporate games into your social media strategy to attract more traffic. Invite companies to sponsor certain challenges and ensure their logo is clearly displayed so they don’t miss out on the interest of remote attendees.
So, #flightfree may pose new obstacles for the events industry, but they don’t have to be deal-breakers. By rethinking your event strategy to make it more accessible for remote attendees, you are preparing for the future. Event apps and event tech can help us do that.
