If you recognise the need to stay abreast of the latest sustainability trends and developments in the events industry, then the Event Greening Forum’s (EGF) annual one-day conference and Master Class is for you.
This year’s programme will help PCOs, DMCs, exhibition and event organisers, suppliers and venues work more sustainably. The conference will include up-to-date content. “People are tired of hearing about greening. We want to show that it isn’t a hackneyed topic. If anything, the opposite is true,” says Greg MacManus, EGF Chairman.
Enter Eco Groove, a South African band that is unique as they play exclusively on recycled or upcycled waste ‘instruments’ they have made themselves. Delegates will be able to listen to them perform classic and modern renditions using only water-filled wine glasses, or South African classics like ‘Pata Pata’ and ‘Special Star’ on specially cut glass bottles suspended from a tree-like structure.
Delegates will be entertained by Eco Groove and then, with some guidance, will be challenged to make their own instruments from waste materials – and make their own music with them! The goal of this fun interactive session is to demonstrate how greening can be creatively integrated into every aspect of an event. The instruments will be donated to an underprivileged school after the event, reinforcing the message that greening doesn’t stop when the event does.
A new inclusion in the programme is a table-top exhibition of beautiful eco-friendly items that will be on sale – and where the conference speakers will be able to select a gift of their choice, in lieu of being given a gift they may not use.
The EGF is once again hosting the event at an environmentally aware venue, Valverde Eco Hotel, and the conference programme will include practical and inspiring content. Serious issues will be tackled, such as risk management and reputation management. Angela Barter from The PR Agency will examine how greenwashing can cause reputation damage, and Gavin Heron from Earth Probiotic Recycling Solutions will address the risk of not being prepared for droughts, load shedding and strikes – preparations that also happen to make “green sense”.
Other speakers include Simon Gear of Kijani Green Energy and Dr Marco Lotz of Nedbank.
“We are hoping to go beyond the normal ‘end-of-earth’ approach to sustainability this year,” adds McManus. “Businesses in this sector – and the broader corporate world – need to understand the impact that they have on the environment in the context of corporate governance and best practice. We hope the conference will do just that, by providing meaningful and sustainable solutions.”
After last year’s success, another EGF Master Class will be hosted the day before the conference. It is geared towards PCOs, Convention Bureaus and other conference and meeting planners who want to understand how to plan, manage and report on sustainable events.
The EGF Conference will take place on 27 July 2017, and the Master Class on 26 July 2017, both at Valverde Eco Hotel in Muldersdrift. Tickets are on sale and discounts are available for EGF members and those attending both events. Visit www.eventgreening.co.za/events/egf-2017-conference/ to reserve your seat now.
For more details of the programmes, go to: www.eventgreening.co.za/events/egf-2017-conference-and-masterclass. Sponsorship packages are also available on this link.
For more information, contact:
LYNN MCLEOD, Event Greening Forum: 082 891 5883, lynn@eventgreening.co.za.
About EGF
The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote sustainability within the events sector. The EGF was established with the support of eight industry associations which are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events. They host educational sessions and lobby government, in an attempt to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry.
www.eventgreening.co.za
About Eco Groove
Eco Groove is South Africa’s only sustainable instrumental ensemble. Formed and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Eco Groove uses ONLY recycled materials to make of their unique hand-crafted musical equipment.
Recycled glass bottles, wine glasses, PVC pipes, wood and plastic are all used to perform well-known songs from yesteryear and chart toppers from today. All expertly and uniquely arranged to deliver something that hasn’t been seen before!
Their mission is to showcase the importance of recycling and sustainability through music.
www.ecogroove.co.za
About Valverde Eco Hotel
Valverde Eco Hotel is a unique country venue in the Muldersdrift area. It has two wedding venues, function facilities, conference facilities, accommodation and a spa.
Valverde is a member of the EGF, and is committed to hosting green events. The venue has implemented responsible waste, water and energy management systems, procures from environmentally friendly suppliers, and grows some of its own food in-house – while the rest is sourced from local farmers.
www.valverde.co.za
