Corporate Events, Incentives, Conference Management | First Event

Sustainability & Diversity Internal Conference

Client

Overview

Our client is a remote-first electric vehicle charging company, committed to sustainability and fostering a connected, engaged workforce. This was their first internal conference bringing together the entire company.

A man stands on a stage speaking into a microphone to an audience at a sustainability & diversity conference, inside a modern industrial-style building with exposed beams and glass walls. Four people enthusiastically ride stationary bikes indoors under arched brick ceilings, as colorful lighting creates a lively, energetic atmosphere—reminiscent of the vibrancy seen at a sustainability & diversity conference. A large audience sits in a dimly lit hall watching multiple screens displaying a welcome message for the “podPOINT Residential ’22” sustainability & diversity conference, while a speaker joins via video call amid vibrant green lighting. A large group of people sit facing a stage, raising their hands in response to a speaker standing in front of bright screens during a sustainability & diversity conference or seminar.

The Challenge

Our client wanted more than just an internal conference; they wanted an experience that reflected their values, inspired their people, and created lasting impact. The brief was ambitious, and the timeline even more so:

  • Deliver a large-scale internal conference in just 3 months.

  • Ensure the event embodied sustainability at every touchpoint.

  • Facilitate genuine networking and team connection across a fully remote workforce.

  • Offer personal enrichment and professional inspiration on topics including sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Our Solution

From the outset, we knew this event had to reflect the client’s values of sustainability, inclusivity, and employee wellbeing, not just in content, but in every decision we made. With just a three-month lead time, we focused on creating an environment that felt intentional, inspiring, and connected.

  1. Sustainability at the heart

    Every choice was guided by sustainability. We chose Tobacco Dock for its natural light, energy-efficient infrastructure, and central London location, minimising the need for travel and artificial lighting. Plant-based and vegan menus were served in compostable trays, furniture was hired locally, and all branding materials were recyclable.

  2. Inclusive, personalised agenda

    Delegates were empowered to create their own personal conference journey. With options spanning expert talks on sustainability, lived experiences of discrimination, stress management, nutrition, and sleep, attendees could focus on the topics most meaningful to them. 

  3. Wellbeing-focused experiences

    Beyond the sessions, delegates could explore hands-on workshops, from art classes and meditation to sign language lessons. To foster networking without forcing it, we designed informal chill zones with bean bags, table football, and air hockey, creating spaces for organic connections to form.

  4. Empowering employees to shape the future

    The conference concluded with a unique exercise: delegates generated ideas on sustainability, inclusivity, and wellbeing to share directly with the CEO and CCO. These contributions were implemented over the following year, showing the power of authentic engagement in shaping organisational strategy.

Why

It Worked

  • Sustainability success: Emissions per guest were lower than a third of similar events in 2022, showing eco-friendly events are achievable even on tight timelines.
  • High engagement: 91.3% of delegates were happy or very happy with the experience.
  • Authentic impact: The event fostered meaningful connections and actionable ideas that influenced company practices.
  • Lesson learned: Prioritising sustainability, diversity, and wellbeing does not need to be time-consuming or expensive, it enhances engagement and creates lasting organisational value.
A group of people walk through a busy sustainability & diversity conference. Two attendees wearing green lanyards chat and smile, while others walk in the background. The atmosphere appears social and lively. People stand and sit in a bright, spacious indoor atrium during a sustainability & diversity conference, surrounded by a glass ceiling, brick arches, and modern metal railings. Some converse in groups, while others use their phones or sit quietly on the central bench. A group of people enjoy drinks and conversation at outdoor wooden tables on a rooftop bar, networking after the sustainability & diversity conference, with string lights overhead and city buildings and a church tower in the background. A group of people wearing name badges and holding cups gather indoors, chatting and smiling in small groups at a sustainability & diversity conference, suggesting a casual networking or social event.

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