If planners want to adopt a strategy for sustainability they need to go a step further than simply organising ‘greener events’. They should engage more with local suppliers, particularly non-profit groups and NGOs, regardless of whether the client requests this or not. By doing so we not only help allay the pollution that comes from a long-distance transfer of resources, but we encourage community enterprises.
Large events should be an opportunity for MICE facilitators to engage with the local community through sustainable business processes. This means more than just reducing material waste and printed matter (something that should be routine anyway), but organising activities that showcase the locality.
Hiring entertainment that reflects local culture can give grass-root enterprises an inroad into the event industry. Ethnic culture is already at the forefront of events in destinations such as South Korea, so there is no reason why short and entertaining Cantonese-opera performances, for example, can’t enliven large events in Hong Kong. I’ve seen immense enjoyment among visitors who are given the chance to see local cultural performances at events across the region. Delegates are made aware of local culture while MICE facilitators engage with community organisations.
However, the promotion of sustainable business processes among event organisers is still at an early stage. In Hong Kong, many are willing to display a ‘Caring Company’ logo on their business card, but do not always match these words with action by working with NGOs.
Too many event organisers presume that overseas delegates do not like or understand local culture. So they play safely by arranging international brands, or hiring entertainment they believe appeals to English speakers. The result is that community enterprises have little opportunity to participate in the MICE arena, with delegates also losing out.
Laurie Lau is director of Momentous Asia
laurielau@momentousasia.com