April 12, 2023

23 Sustainable Event Ideas for Corporate Events That Make an Impact

Widely regarded as one of the biggest event trends taking over 2023 and beyond, sustainable events are being increasingly sought after by climate aware and socially conscious attendees. Event management companies have a responsibility to create events that are kind to the environment and local area, as sustainability isn’t simply a trend that event managers can jump on in order to win approval from clients Sustainability isn’t a buzzword anymore, it’s a non-negotiable for modern corporate events. As attendees become more environmentally and socially conscious, businesses are being held to higher standards. That means it’s not enough to simply “look” sustainable. You’ve got to be sustainable, through every decision, detail, and deliverable.

At First Event, we help brands build momentum through purposeful events that deliver measurable results, and that includes helping you drive your sustainability agenda forward.

What Is a Sustainable Event?

A sustainable event is an experience designed to minimise negative impact, on the environment, society, and the local economy. That means thinking beyond carbon emissions and considering food waste, accessibility, ethical sourcing, and community impact too.

And if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered.

23 Sustainable Event Ideas to Inspire Your Next Corporate Experience

Whether you’re planning a conference, away day, product launch, or a high-energy brand activation, here are 23 ways to make it more sustainable.

Sustainable Venue Selection

1. Choose certified sustainable venues: Look for third-party certifications like LEED or BREEAM to ensure your venue meets high sustainability standards.

2. Keep it close to home: Host your event near where your attendees live—or even in your own office, to cut travel emissions and make attendance easier.

3. Prioritise public transport access: Choose venues that are well-connected to buses, trains, or trams and clearly communicate those options to attendees.

4. Incentivise green travel: Offer discounted public transport passes or organise shared transfers to reduce individual car use.

Sustainable Catering & Food Choices

5. Go plant-based where possible: Plant-based menus have a significantly lower carbon footprint, and they’re more inclusive too.

6. Source local: Reduce food miles by using local caterers and seasonal produce. It supports local economies and slashes emissions.

7. Use sustainable packaging: Opt for reusable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging and cutlery.

Ethical Gifting & Merch

8. Rethink your swag: Use eco-friendly or recycled materials, or ditch physical items altogether in favour of digital perks like gift cards or downloadable content.

9. Ban single-use plastic: Set a hard rule against plastic bottles, cutlery, and packaging, it’s a small shift that makes a big difference.

Go Digital Wherever You Can

10. Swap paper for tech: Replace flyers and printed menus with QR codes, tablets, or digital screens.

11. Use digital signage: Printed signage is often single-use. Digital options allow for real-time updates and reuse at future events.

12. Build an event app or website: Ditch the glossy brochures and give attendees a dynamic, real-time experience instead.

Smart Waste Management

13. Create a waste management plan: Ensure clear signage, multiple waste streams, and education for attendees and staff.

14. Design reusable branding: Avoid printing dates or single-use messaging. Keep it neutral so you can reuse materials again and again.

Embrace Hybrid & Virtual Formats

15. Go virtual or hybrid: Virtual events reduce travel and materials, while hybrid models keep global access open and emissions down.

Measure Your Impact

16. Set sustainability KPIs: Track your efforts and use the data to improve for future events. What gets measured gets managed.

Work with Like-Minded Suppliers

17. Vet your vendors: Only work with suppliers who share your sustainability values, and can prove it.

18. Source local services: Support the local economy and cut down on transportation emissions by keeping your supply chain close to your venue.

19. Add sustainability clauses to contracts: Make sure your expectations are clear from the start.

Eco-Conscious Production

20. Use energy-efficient AV: Switch to LED lighting and energy-saving tech across staging, screens, and sound.

Educate & Inspire Your Audience

21. Host sustainability workshops: Lead by example. Incorporate panels or sessions that encourage action within your industry.

Give Back to the Community

22. Donate to impactful causes: Support local charities or rewilding projects to offset your event’s impact and extend its positive influence.

Partner with a Sustainable Event Agency

23. Work with people who live and breathe it: At First Event, sustainability is more than a checklist—it’s a commitment. We reflect our sustainable values across every event, from concept to clean-up. If you’re looking to create an experience that delivers results without compromising the planet, you’re in the right place.

Ready to Plan a Sustainable Event With Impact?

From corporate conferences and brand activations to immersive internal comms events, we help businesses create experiences that drive real momentum and measurable results, while protecting the planet.

Whether you’re just starting out with your sustainability journey or ready to go all-in, we’ll help you design a meaningful, memorable, and measurable experience.

Contact the First Event team to start planning your next sustainable event.