Keyword: Global

As a U.S.-based writer and staging company owner, I have a tendency to focus on updates and resources that are largely centered in the United States. However, I know that a good percentage of readers and the events they serve are actually outside of North America, so this month I’d like to explore a few happenings and resources with a more global reach for the rental and staging industry. And, if any of you are looking to expand into international markets, I suggest that you pay close attention to your sustainability initiatives… because your potential clients, employees and competitors certainly are. Europe accounts for 45 percent of the world’s GRI certified sustainability reports and Asia 24 percent (compared to 14 percent in North America). This is significant in emerging markets as well. Brazil alone experienced a 68 percent increase in GRI reporting in 2011. You may also have more stringent environmental regulation to contend with, particularly in Europe.

• First up, one of the most recent occurrences is the release, and application of, the new ISO 20121 Standard for Sustainable Event Management. I’ve touched on this standard before – mostly about its origin being BS8901 and how it differs from the new ASTM standards – but what’s most exciting is that it has just been released this month in time for implementation at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. While the Games seem to largely be overlooking the impact of AudioVisual/Event Technology, the standards suggest event organizers will emphasize sustainability in their supply chain management.
• If you haven’t explored it before, may I suggest you take a look at the UN Global Compact. When I speak at global events, this is the one topic that seems to be most pervasive, whether in North America, Europe or Asia. The Global Compact is guided by ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. The ten principles are quite simple and easy to grasp. For example, Principle 8 is to “encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendlytechnologies.” Your best bet is to start with their Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership, which can be found here. It includes an easy-to-follow checklist that can get any organization started. But, simply, the first step is just to commit to adhering to the principles. Why not start today?!
• Hailing from Australia, an organization with a truly global brand is the Sustainable Event Alliance, with information from all regions of the world. Founded by Meegan Jones, this organization has a more well-rounded focus than some of the other green event associations. For instance, rather than focusing on just business conferences, there are resources for musical and cultural events as well.
• A smattering of additional global resources to assist with event measurement are also available. A mix of for- and non-profits, these are each worth a look as possible tools for event reporting and measurement of the impact of our onsite AV activity. These include (and in no particular order or importance, or endorsement from me): Eventberry, Positive Impact and Sustainable Event Solutions.

I hope you find this list helpful, please let me know if there are additional tools/resources/news items that I simply must add!

Midori Connolly is CEO and Chief AVGirl of Pulse Staging & Events, Inc. in Escondido, California. She wrote the first-ever set of Sustainable Staging guidelines after discovering none existed. She is the vice-chair of the AV committee for the U.S. EPA’s Green Meetings Standards and regularly speaks and writes about corporate social responsibility and green practices in live events and meeting planning. Reach her at midori@pulsestaging.com