Sustainable Meetings and Events in the New Business Travel Landscape

James Dent
James Dent
Last Updated: 13 December 2023

The pandemic has had a profound impact on the way businesses operate, including the way they conduct meetings and events. While video conferencing has become a popular option for remote collaboration, there is still a strong desire for in-person interactions, especially for high-stakes or strategic meetings.

To meet this demand, hotels and venues are adapting their offerings to cater to businesses seeking sustainable and hybrid meeting solutions. Here are some of the key trends:

Hybrid Meetings

Hybrid meetings combine in-person and virtual participation, allowing attendees to connect from anywhere in the world. This flexibility is particularly appealing to businesses with a global workforce or a need to reach a wider audience. Hotels and venues are providing dedicated spaces for hybrid meetings, equipped with high-quality audio-visual equipment and reliable internet connectivity.

“There’s been a demand for off-site meetings, it’s a trend we’ve seen,” says Meon Valley Travel’s Head of Sales Account Management Tony McDaid, who notes a move towards booking larger offsite spaces to gather all the remote workers together.

Carbon Offsetting

Business travel is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, hotels and venues are offering carbon offsetting programs, which allow businesses to compensate for the carbon footprint of their events. This can be done by investing in renewable energy projects or supporting reforestation initiatives.

Sustainable Catering

Venues are increasingly offering plant-based menus, which can significantly reduce the environmental impact of events. Additionally, they are sourcing food locally to minimize food miles and support local businesses. Some venues are also implementing waste reduction measures, such as composting and recycling programs.

Commitment to Sustainability

Many hotels and venues are taking a proactive approach to sustainability, setting ambitious goals to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact. This includes investing in energy-efficient technologies, improving water conservation practices, and adopting sustainable building materials.

By embracing these trends, businesses can organize sustainable meetings and events that align with their environmental values and contribute to a more sustainable future.

As businesses begin to meet in person once again, sustainability will go far beyond offsetting the journey to the venue; the venue itself is becoming a focus of these issues.  

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