The meetings and conventions industry hasn’t always been known for its commitment to sustainability. Any time a large group of people gather, the resources required fall into three categories:
- Travel—emissions from flights, car rentals, and other modes of transportation.
- Accommodations—energy and resources consumed by hotels and other lodging options.
- Venue and food—energy usage of the event space and emissions related to food production and waste.
As we become more aware of our impact in general, conversations around sustainability in the meetings space have become more prominent. Event organizers, conference planners, suppliers, and operators are paying closer attention to the impact of the events industry. And with that attention comes an increased focus on finding solutions so we can continue to come together and gather more thoughtfully and sustainably.
How we define sustainability
Sustainability can sometimes feel like a buzzword, especially as it becomes more of an area of focus and the definition shifts and expands. For our purposes, we think about sustainability in four key dimensions:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Human Sustainability
The full definition for each category can be found in our Guide to Hosting Sustainable Business Events in Halifax.
What is a sustainable event?
According to the United Nations, a sustainable event is “designed, organized, and implemented in a way that minimizes potential negative impacts and leaves a beneficial legacy for the host community and all involved.”
While our comprehensive guide does an amazing job of telling you how to pull off a sustainable event, we wanted to help bring the guide to life by showing a few examples from some of our wonderful partners. From venues to conveners, let us show you what sustainability means when it comes to conventions, meetings, and events.
Event spotlight: Council for Canadian Urbanism’s CanU Halifax Forum, 2024
Event overview: In October 2024, the Council for Canadian Urbanism brought their yearly conference event back to Halifax for the first time in 14 years. The event is for delegates from a variety of backgrounds who have a vested interest and focus on building better, more sustainable cities.
The team at Discover Halifax worked with the planning committee for the CanU Forum to ensure their goals for a sustainable event were realized. This included locating non-traditional venues with lots of natural light, sourcing catering options that could provide low-waste meal options with ingredients from local suppliers, and taking full advantage of the walkability of the downtown core. Event organizers also used Halifax Transit to take delegates to areas of interest in other parts of the city. The group wasn’t quite large enough to qualify for the Event Transit Fares Program, but regular transit routes provided easy access to take attendees where they needed to go.
By bringing the CanU Forum to Halifax, some of the best and brightest minds from around the world got to experience the best we have to offer while also providing insights on the challenges and opportunities we face for a more sustainable future as a growing sea-side city.
Partner spotlight: Halifax Convention Centre
Partner overview: Halifax Convention Centre (HCC) is a LEED Silver-certified venue with 120,000 square feet of flexible event space in the heart of downtown Halifax. Committed to eco-friendly events, HCC’s energy-efficient infrastructure, waste reduction programs, and collaborative team ensure low-impact, high-quality experiences.
When thinking about sustainability in such broad terms, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach, especially for a venue. While HCC was built with a focus on sustainability, the facility is just one piece of the puzzle. As a partner, HCC works with groups to tailor their offering to suit the unique goals and KPIs of each organization and event.
For example, HCC hosted a Humane Canada event that included a 100% vegan menu for a multi-day event for 400 guests. While HCC’s menu includes several vegetarian options, the culinary team rose to the unique challenge of providing a custom low-carbon, cruelty-free menu that was also mindful of food waste and showcased local ingredients.
For another event, a corporate event planner requested a 100% paper-free event. That included everything from ensuring the digital screens in the venue displayed QR codes to access the event schedule down to replacing single-use sugar packets with sugar bowls at the daily coffee station.
When it comes to sustainability, there really is no such thing as a detail too small!
Beyond the Event Spotlight: Being Good Corporate Citizens
Social and Human Sustainability are two elements that can sometimes get overlooked in the bustle of conferences and events. Making time to give back to host communities can be a way for organizations to live their values of corporate social responsibility and help provide attendees with a meaningful and lasting way to make a positive impact.
FREE PEOPLE Destination Management and Events was approached by a planner hosting an event in Halifax to build an experience beyond the conference room. After some discussion, the planner opted to support revitalizing Out of the Cold’s raised vegetable gardens, which required some springtime TLC after a tough Canadian winter.
Conference attendees collaborated to revitalize gardens in two locations by rolling up their sleeves and planting fruits, veggies, and even flowers for an aesthetic touch. Halifax Seed came on as an additional partner to provide all the supplies needed for the project as well as guidance and expertise. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative not only restored a vital component of the shelter but also strengthened community ties by supporting local residents in need. Additionally, the garden project allowed delegates to make a lasting impact on the community hosting their event.
We hope you’ve been inspired by a few of the ways our partners have made sustainability a priority in their events. Have an idea you want to bring to life for your next conference or event? Reach out to the Discover Halifax Events team today!