11 Questions Someone Looking for Sustainable Event Venues Needs to Ask

Sustainable event venues are no longer just nice to use. They’re a must-have for product launches, conferences, or reward-and-recognition knees-ups that support your company’s sustainability strategy.

And don’t forget, your delegates are also paying attention to how green your event is. So, it can be a dealbreaker if your chosen venue isn’t aligned, (or at least some serious side-eye from your eco-savvy stakeholders).

The good news is planning a sustainable event doesn’t mean hugging trees in a no Wi-Fi zone. Now, many stylish hotels and venues are doing their bit for the planet without compromising on brilliant event experiences.

You just need to know what to ask.

Here's your insider cheat sheet to pull out when looking for impressive sustainable event venues.

1.    Attendee Involvement at Sustainable Event Venues

Sustainable conference venues work best when everyone contributes.  

• How do you encourage attendees to go green too?

• Any schemes to help guests offset or reduce their impact?

2.    Building Materials and Design

Some venues were born sustainable. Others were made that way. Dig into the details

if you’re looking at a newer or refurbished venue:

• Were recycled or responsibly sourced materials used?

• Is the design optimised for natural light and airflow?

3.    Certifications and Creds

“We recycle” doesn’t cut it anymore. So, ask venues to prove it if they’re shouting about their eco credentials:

• Do you hold any sustainability certifications (like BREEAM, Green Tourism or ISO 20121)? 

• Have you won any awards for your green efforts? (Bonus points if they didn’t have to pay to enter!)

4.    Community Engagement

The cream of sustainable event venues often give back too.

• Do you work with local charities or environmental organisations?

• Any volunteering, donation, or outreach programmes in place?

5.    Energy Efficiency

What’s powering your PowerPoint is a big deal. Question what’s happening behind the scenes to keep energy usage lean and green.

• Are you using renewable energy like wind or solar?

• Do you use energy-saving lighting, like LED bulbs?

• What heating and cooling systems are in place, and are they efficient?

6.    Local and Seasonal Produce

Air-freighting strawberries in December is so 2005! Food miles matter. And so does supplier transparency.

• Do you use local or organic food and drink suppliers?

• How do you vet your supply chain for sustainable practices?

• Can you cater to plant-based diets and reduce meat-heavy menus?

7.    Green Teams

It’s not sustainable when team members forget to switch the lights off. This is why the people running the show matter just as much.

• Is there a sustainability officer or team?

• How are staff trained on eco practices?

8.    Tracking and Transparency

Sustainability is a journey the most committed sustainable event venues are always improving.

• Do you track your carbon footprint or other environmental metrics?

• What’s on the roadmap for future improvements?

9.    Transport and Accessibility

How guests get there is equally important as what happens when they do. For this reason, make accessibility easy (and greener).

• Are you close to public transport links?

• Do you offer electric vehicle charging points or secure bike storage?

• Any travel offset schemes or shared shuttle services?

10.Water Conservation

Saving water is the new black. It might not be glamorous. But it’s planet-critical.

• Do you have low-flow toilets and sensor taps?

• Any rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling going on?

11.Waste Not, Want Not

These days, even half-hearted sustainable event venues should have waste down to a fine art.

• How is general waste, recycling, and food waste managed?

• Do you provide composting?

• What steps do you take to reduce single-use plastics?

Green Your Scene

Don't worry if the thought of firing off 20 sustainability questions to 12 different venues makes you want to lie down in a dark room!

At The Venue Hunters, that’s our job. We take the legwork (and guesswork) out of venue sourcing. And we’ll soon have you matched with sustainable event venues fitting your brief, budget, and brand. No spreadsheet stress!

Get in touch for £0 venue finding services. You too can tap into our expert know-how, insider contacts, and bulk buying power to plan an event big on impact and kind to the planet.