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Eco-friendly PCOs and DMCs

Are you looking for a professional congress organizer (PCO) or a destination management company (DMC)? Here are some good tips for choosing the partner who will make your event eco-friendly.

Simple guidelines to follow

Opportunities for good environmental and social practices are present at every stage in the planning of an event. From conception (venue, facilities and equipment, positioning (market), transport, communication, etc.), to realization (events, selective sorting, catering, awareness-raising, facilities and equipment, etc.) and post event (reuse/value creation, donations, etc.), tools and labels are available to help you structure your eco-friendly approach.

Examples of charters, standards, labels Definition Subject Evaluation
ISO 20121 International standard for event management. It requires the setting up of an event sustainability management system in the company. Environment,Social,Economic In-depth audit
Green Globe International certification. The structure must fulfil more than 50% of the 385 concrete and sector-specific criteria. Environment,Social,Economic In-depth audit
Prestadd French label created by Synpase for entertainment and event companies. Environment,Social,Economic Dossier studied by a judging panel
Other measures Not specific to the events sector, so applicable to all: ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 45001 (health and security at work), Diversity Label (non-discrimination), Global Compact (Social and Market), Label LUCIE (RSE (Corporate social responsibility) initiative), Tourisme & Handicap (accessibility of buildings, sites and facilities), Label Accessibilité (accessibility of buildings), Imprim’vert (printers), HQE / LEED / BREEAM (efficient buildings)… * *

Find the right partner to organize the event

Here are examples of questions to ask agencies to ensure that sustainability issues are taken into account:

  • Does your organization have a label or certification?
  • What are the sustainable development subjects that you work on?
  • Do you use any specific tools in your approach? Which ones?
  • Have you identified a specific strategy and /or a targeted action plan?
  • Who is the point of contact for these issues within your organization? Who are the main partners in your approach?
  • Do you ensure regular monitoring of sustainable development measures? If so, which particular aspects?
  • What are your references in eco-friendly events? What were your sustainable initiatives at these events?

Take inspiration from good, simple and virtuous practices

Here are some examples of initiatives by PCOs or DMCs during events:

  • Integration of environmental and social criteria into specifications for selecting partners.
  • Distribution of an awareness-raising leaflet to volunteers to give them precise information on eco-friendly actions to be adopted, sorting procedures and dedicated areas.
  • Selection of accommodation for delegates and the press in accordance with the public transport network; a bus and metro pass given to them for the duration of the event.
  • The furnishing of the room without a carpet, as it was for one-time use only, with rented green plants and cardboard stands that could be reused and recycled.
  • Going paper free for all documents related to the planning of an event.
  • Partnership with a supplier of reusable water bottles in order to serve delegates with tap water only, from non-disposable bottles.
  • Choice of reusable signage and badges, as well as sustainably-designed or fair-trade gifts.
  • After the seminar, selection of visits (recreational, cultural, relaxing, etc.) only to places respectful of the environment and/or with a social commitment.

Find other eco-friendly suppliers in Paris:

Eco-friendly event venues
Eco-friendly accommodation
Eco-friendly caterers
Eco-friendly transport
Eco-friendly activities and entertainment

Eco-friendly PCOs and DMCs :

MORE IDEAS

Eco-friendly event venues

The choice of venue is crucial for making your event an eco-friendly event. The diversity of green credentials of Parisian venues is a great advantage.

Eco-friendly accommodation

There is a growing consideration for accessibility and the environment in the Parisian hotel and restaurant sector. Here are some steps that make it possible to pick out green accommodation.

Eco-friendly transport

Due to the greenhouse gas and the noise pollution that they produce, travel has the biggest impact on the environment in the organization of an event. Paris has numerous sustainable transport solutions that make it possible to envisage more eco-friendly events.