Matcha & Minds Ep. 1: Justin Hawes on 30 Years of Greening Events | The Planner

The Event Greening Forum has officially launched its new video series, Matcha & Minds, and the first episode sets a powerful tone for what’s to come. Hosted by sustainability advocate and EGF member Morwesi Ramonyai, the debut episode features a candid conversation with Justin Hawes, Managing Director of Scan Display and one of the founding members of the Event Greening Forum.

With more than three decades of experience in the events space, Justin shares how the South African events industry has evolved—and how the shift toward sustainability is being met with both progress and resistance.

“People think they know more than we do – and that’s always a challenge.”

This episode dives into the realities of greening events in a commercial world. From grappling with reusability and recycling to managing client expectations and cost constraints, Justin brings valuable insights to the table. The conversation also explores why early planning, internal buy-in, and realistic goals are key to successful sustainable events.

Whether you’re a venue, supplier, or event organiser, this episode offers practical takeaways for anyone aiming to integrate sustainability without compromising creativity, budget, or deadlines.

👉 Watch the episode now: https://youtu.be/JM65wDDyftc

🍵 Matcha in hand. Minds in motion.