This morning’s first panel session explored the sustainability requirements for suppliers hoping to work with Locog for the 2012 Olympic Games.
EcoEvents’ Sam Wilson said sustainability checklists were "why we won the bid".
Create’s Richard Groves spoke of his company’s experience tackling Locog’s detailed sustainability guidelines. "Once we got over the cynicism, we realised that what they are trying to do is weed out people who don’t take it seriously," he said.
Both panellists considered of the long-term effect of the guidelines on the industry. "It would be great to carry it forward beyond the Olympics, and it’s right to," said Groves. "Event management is inherently a very wasteful business."
Delegates asked whether smaller firms which can’t afford to invest in sustainability would get ‘left behind’ in future, Wilson replied: "I don’t think sustainability is always synonymous with a more expensive event. It’s essentially how we manage what we do."
Last night, delegates and suppliers were treated to a champagne reception in Splash Landings Hotel, followed by a three-course gala dinner, as well as quizzes and games from G3 Events.
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