When the end of your business is in sight and its a positive thing!

In 2005 I launched Positive Impact because I experienced a need to educate the event sector supply chain on what sustainability was (I was frustrated after delivering an event with a venue I had chosen because of the sustainability initiatives they promised me during a site visit, which had resulted in 200 plastic cups and no recycling bins).

16 years later (time flies!) and during the first week of March 2021 there is a recognisable increase in commitments to sustainability practices across the global event sector. With the perspective that any action to be sustainable will make a difference it is clear that the event sector is making a difference.

With the perspective that there are dangers of greenwash to be aware of there is still action for the event sector to take. However the action needed to create a sustainable event industry is clear and underway and its inspiring to realise that the frustration which inspired the launch of Positive Impact may never be experienced again!

So what is the outstanding action needed?

Imagine if global government and corporate policies required any spend on events to require data on the sustainability impact?

Imagine if event sector associations began to provide second party certification to ISO 20121 creating new jobs and building sector skills.

Imagine if the event sector had global targets in line with other sectors. For example a carbon target to report on or equality targets to meet.

Imagine if the event sector was understood to be an essential tool in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals

Imagine if event professionals explained their work using terminology which aligned with business and government s sustainability strategy.

I will leave the ‘how’ on achieving these action for another blog but the time is gone when what needs to happen seems unrealistic and impossible.

So how does it feel when the reason you set up your business has almost been addressed? As of today it feels like there is still a little too much to do to celebrate, however with over 1,300 Positive Impact ambassadors around the world fearless in their commitment to create a sustainable event industry, it is only a matter of time before the celebrations can begin.