Operating Onsite
Tackling
sustainability
BDC marketing director Kate Simpson
on just some of the ways that the North
London venue can help organisers put on
an environmentally conscious event
T
“It’s imperative for
venues to engage
with organisers
from an early stage”
62 — March
he debate around plastics, waste reduction
and the consumption of energy is nothing
new to us at the BDC; in fact, we have been
carbon neutral now for 10 years.
The future, though, clearly requires a bigger
investment into much greater detail, especially
from an industry where waste production has
the potential to be a significant by-product of
its success. From seemingly small ideas, such
as reusable water bottless to making measured
change across a portfolio to ensure exhibition
stands are used again, the events industry is most
definitely not sitting back; it is in fact a topic of
conversation across numerous event sectors.
The edie Sustainability Leaders Forum held in
February at the BDC brought together figureheads
from global corporations to debate key messages
on the topic, not just in terms of reducing but
in reversing the situation; transforming the way
businesses operate for good. Messages from the
event were clear: ‘silence really is not an option
any longer’ when it comes to sustainability.
January’s AEO Forums hosted a panel of
industry experts on how best to engage those at
events on the matter of sustainability and what
they thought should be done to impact change at
the highest level. Venue services manager Hayley
Constable, who heads up the Sustainability Team
here at the BDC, sat on the panel session.
“I think it’s imperative for venues to engage
with the organisers of events from an early stage
to be made aware of the impact the show will
have,” she says. “Our policy at the venue is one
of zero per cent to landfill, however the next step
would be to reduce users’ issues and incineration.
We also don’t want that to mean people are able
to leave things behind knowing that it will simply
‘be taken care of’. The idea around exhibition
stands shouldn’t just be about them going to a
responsible end but should be about the longevity
of what is built in the first place.”
BDC chief executive, Dominic Jones adds:
“Creating clearer directions for visitors to the
venue is important to ensure that the good
work done in recycling isn’t ruined through
contamination. In the same way we ensure the
safety of those onsite through clear and concise
health and safety messaging, it is key that we take
the education of our guests just as seriously when
it comes to sustainability.”
The BDC’s in-house team has already begun the
first phase of a venue-wide water filtration system
offering free water at new filling stations across
the event space, which is due to be completed in
the coming months.
Our advice to event organisers is to get in touch
with our event managers to start the conversation
early. We have connections in the local area, so
if you don’t want the chairs from your feature
builds, I bet we can find a local community centre
that might. Meet the caterers for a tasting, they
are happy to explain the choices available to make
your menu less impactful on the environment.
When it comes to getting here, we are a well-
connected venue; point guests to our visiting us
section for the quickest routes by public transport
and if they want to drive, there are electric
charging points available in our car park.
We also say communicate to your exhibitors
and visitors before they arrive. If you only tell
them two things; bring a reusable coffee cup (you
will get a discount on hot drinks) and bring a
reusable water bottle (you can refill it and there
will soon be more locations to do this). Finally, if
exhibitors aren’t sure about their stand build yet –
ask us for support!