With approximately 4,000 attendees and more than 230 exhibitors, I certainly got the point about size. What has left the most indelible impression, however, was the intense focus on sustainability. The organizers’ goal was nothing less than producing a “zero waste” event, and they went about it with such passion and precision that it left an impact on every aspect of what I have come to know as the conference experience, especially as a speaker.
For starters, binders, paper handouts and CD-ROMs containing speaker slides or other supporting material were completely eliminated. No photocopying services were provided and speakers were discouraged from providing their own handouts independently. I obeyed to the extent of not providing a hardcopy of my slides for people to follow and take notes on as I spoke, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to bring the one piece of collateral that audiences have taught me is key to grasping the essence of my message that links work-life practice to business drivers. Then there was that new, small “gift card” that my marketing communications team had specially printed for me to pass out to workshop attendees that would lead them to our Web site and enable them to download a selection of relevant work-life articles. I placed these two items on each chair prior to my workshop, with none of the customary help from conference staff, who (did I only imagine this?) seemed to recoil from my un-green-like behavior.
When my workshop ended, the relentless reduction of paper waste continued with an immediate real-time electronic session evaluation conducted with the audience as I stood by. Each attendee entered responses to questions about their satisfaction with my presentation on specially provided keypads about the size of cell phones. No paper, no mess. No escape either. This novel system appeared to do a far better job of soliciting input from almost everyone in attendance than the hit-or-miss paper evaluation forms tucked into a conventional conference packet. Now I understood why sessions were spaced 45 minutes apart. No rush or mad dash from one session to another, in spite of the size of the crowd and the venue. These folks are definitely on to something that begins to feel like work-life harmony!
Other green touches:
Printing with vegetable-based inks on certified 100% post-consumer, chlorine-and acid-free recycled paper
Local green suppliers for conference were selected via HRPAO’s sustainable procurement policy
The reusable tote bags were made from recycled fabric. They were remarkably empty, by the way. Very minimal “enviro-friendly” giveaways in addition to no paper handouts doesn’t leave much. So, if your notion of fun at a conference is to stock up on as much plastic logo trash as you can stuff into your suitcase, this is definitely not your show.
Banks of interconnecting recycling bins were placed everywhere, clearly marked with a proliferation of categories and instructions I’ve never encountered before, such as “used plastic utensils” and “uneaten food.” Apparently, “zero waste” means that literally everything gets recycled.
I couldn’t find food or snacks during breaks, not in the exhibition hall and not in the public gathering areas. There were water dispensers distributed about in corners near major intersections. Perhaps the conspicuous lack of nourishment was not so much a green initiative as a reflection of how non-American crowds behave between meals? I wouldn’t know. But I did seize hungrily upon more than one enviro-friendly apple, which seemed to be the most prevalent booth give-away. Apparently, Canadians have no problem eating their five daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
My biggest surprise came as I was rounding a corner to leave the Exhibition Hall. This particular corner booth was completely filled with what looked like a large, empty kitchen counter, but to my shock, a very green bald human head stuck out of a hole in the middle, shouting, “Vote for our booth; we are the greenest!” No question about that. I had just stumbled upon the most intense competition I’ve ever witnessed at a conference trade show, not for prizes at a drawing, but for delegates to vote for the darkest shade of green.
Post a Comment Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this Weblog until the author has approved them.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of WorldatWork and its affiliate, Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP).
