Our series of talking points allows industry professionals to discuss the issues that affect them, and invites readers to comment. This week Tom Mayers, director of Cavendish Conference Venues, looks at how venues are responding to increasing client demands for environmental best practice.

Being green, in our view, should not be a response to industry trends – or indeed rely on company budget handouts or ‘nice to be seen to be green’ allocations of spend from already overstretched resources. Neither should a commitment to the environment be a reaction to the recent upsurge in demand for green venues.

It is definitely not easy to take the green route. It is always initially very time-consuming, and in some cases costs more. But ultimately this attitude and approach to running venues is essential. At Cavendish Conference Venues we offer our clients an intrinsic green company culture, not window dressing. Our genuine approach is appreciated and recognised by our clients, and becomes a selling point for our venues, alongside our whole approach to customer service.

Many organisations have corporate policies that require staff to use green venues. Obvious for what I would term as ‘green’ clients such as Green Power Conferences and the Carbon Trust. However, we are now seeing more demand for green venues across the board – particularly within the financial sector, where CSR is becoming more of an issue from a PR perspective, and where there is heightened awareness of public image brought on by the economic downturn and negative publicity – directed particularly at the banking sector.

"The pressure – particularly at an international level – to reduce emissions and promote sustainable resources has had a massive impact"

At Cavendish Conference Venues, our ethos has always been to develop and establish the very best green credentials possible within all our venues. We support wholeheartedly the massive surge of social conscience towards the environment being demonstrated by the events industry – an industry which was once considered one of the worst culprits in the UK for generating massive waste within extremely short time-frames.

After all, that is what the events industry is about – creating a ‘temporary’ wow factor, grabbing attention and building spectacular features and displays – all of which are quickly destroyed, soon to become distant memories except for the tons of rubbish left behind.

However, gone are the days when mountains of carpet were extracted from our most prestigious exhibition halls and dumped directly into landfill. Gone are the days when delegates were happy to leave behind mountains of waste paper and empty plastic bottles. The pressure – particularly at an international level – to reduce emissions and promote sustainable resources has had a massive impact.

This is clearly demonstrated by the restrictions and objectives laid down for the 2012 London Olympics. Again, this is having a positive effect on attitudes to green initiatives by venues and suppliers – not just in London, but across the country. From the largest organisation to each individual, we have all developed a green conscience.

And long may it last.

Tom Mayers, director, Cavendish Conference Venues

Contact

Website: www.cavendishconferencevenues.co.uk