Following our experience at AIME 2026, one thing was abundantly clear — sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” in the events industry. It is front and centre. And we are rejoicing.
As Professional Conference Organisers, we see firsthand the impact conferences can have — not just on communities and industries, but on the environment. After every event, the amount of waste left behind has often made us stop and think:
Surely we can do better.
The good news? We can. And the industry is ready.
A Shift in Mindset
At AIME this year, sustainability wasn’t a side conversation. It was woven into discussions about venues, technology, suppliers and future event strategy. From carbon measurement to waste reduction initiatives, it’s clear that our industry is taking responsibility.
And so are we.
Working primarily with associations, we know our clients are accountable not only to their members, but to future generations. Delegates are increasingly conscious of environmental impact. They notice the details. They ask questions. They appreciate effort.
Sustainable conferencing is no longer a trend — it’s an expectation.
The Reality of Event Waste
Conferences, by nature, can generate significant waste:
- Printed programs discarded after day one
- Single-use coffee cups
- Branded materials used once and thrown away
- Excess food
- Plastic name badges and lanyards
- Exhibition builds that never see a second event
When you see it repeatedly, you can’t ignore it.
That’s why we are actively reviewing and strengthening our own sustainability practices and procedures — and encouraging our clients to do the same.
Practical Ideas for Your Next Conference
Sustainability doesn’t have to mean compromising on experience. In fact, some of the most forward-thinking conferences are also the most environmentally responsible.
Here are some practical initiatives to consider:
Start With Your Venue & Suppliers
- Ask whether they are certified in sustainable event management.
- Request information on the environmental footprint of your event.
- Understand their waste management and recycling processes.
Rethink Signage & Printed Materials
- Use LED screens instead of printed signage.
- Use a conference delegate app rather than printing full programs.
- For delegates who insist on printed programs, consider asking them to contribute to the cost.
- Ask your printer to reskin existing pop-up banners rather than producing new ones.
Smarter Exhibition & Sponsorship Choices
- Engage exhibitors who reuse materials. (Did you know exhibition stands can now be built from recycled cardboard?)
- Have a sponsor supply reusable coffee mugs and eliminate single-use cups.
- Ask your venue to remove bottled water and provide refill stations with sponsored reusable bottles.
Reduce Waste on the Ground
- Use fully recyclable name badges and lanyards that can be processed after the event (we currently partner with TerraCycle).
- Ask your venue to coordinate donation of leftover food to a local food bank.
Reduce Travel & Increase Longevity of Content
- Invite international speakers to present via video where appropriate to reduce unnecessary carbon emissions.
- Record sessions and provide post-event access with presenter notes, extending the life and value of the content.
Small decisions, multiplied across hundreds or thousands of delegates, make a meaningful difference.
Delegates Will Notice
Today’s delegates are more environmentally aware than ever. They appreciate when organisers take sustainability seriously. It reflects positively on your brand, your values and your leadership within your industry.
Sustainable conferences are not about doing everything perfectly — they’re about making conscious, intentional choices.
And we are committed to doing more.
If you’re planning your next conference and want to explore how we can make it as kind to the earth as possible — without compromising on professionalism or experience — we would love to chat.
Together, we can create events that deliver impact today, while protecting tomorrow.
