The gift of sustainability for your next event

Considering sustainable giveaways is a visible way of showcasing your commitment to our planet and the people who call it home. Whether you are just starting out on your ESG journey or you have an established strategy in place, making considered decisions about what delegates take away as ‘swag’ is an effective and easy way to put your values front and centre of the experience and create positive sentiment towards your brand.

Spending time to really consider your audience, your purpose, and your values when you are choosing what to give away (or not to give away!) not only enhances brand reputation but also encourages ethical consumerism outside of your event and can help foster a deeper connection with clients and employees—who doesn’t want to do business with a company investing in what’s right rather than what is cheap?

Sustainable gifts can be a little more expensive, as they are typically made from eco-friendly or recyclable materials, using mindful production processes that minimise waste and pollution, but they are an investment worth making. Making a conscious, ethical decision will help to lower the company’s overall carbon footprint and by choosing biodegradable or recyclable products, businesses contribute to the reduction of landfill waste, driving a significant positive impact on the environment. The earth isn’t the only one to benefit, by protecting our planet you are supporting future generations, the ones who will take your business forward, to have the opportunity to thrive.

Offering sustainable gifts can also boost employee morale. Employees are increasingly aware of global challenges like climate change, and working for a company that takes sustainability seriously can increase job satisfaction and loyalty. By participating in environmentally friendly initiatives such as giving and receiving sustainable gifts, employees feel a sense of pride and are more engaged with the company’s mission and values—which in turn will help you retain and attract the best people to your business.

We’re always looking for new ways to inject the feel-good factor into events, and we’ve found that by investing in high-quality, sustainable gifts (rather than boring, plastic, disposable gifts that people expect), you can surprise and delight your attendees, give them something useful and lasting to take home and share, and can translate into positive PR and sentiment for your brand, especially if you deliver something innovative and creative to catch people’s attention.

How do we do this in practice?

Charitable donations in lieu of or alongside giveaways

Is another pen or a keyring going to add value to your delegate’s experience? Your event gifts don’t just have to be physical, a donation to a charity on behalf of your delegates or an option to add a gift to a chosen cause at ticket purchase makes people feel like they are part of something bigger and gives you a reason to talk about organisations that you care about. Use your event to support or sponsor underrepresented groups that have a connection to your sector – you could even invite a member of the charity to come along and be part of the event so they can tell people about their mission. Your delegates will go away with a deeper understanding of your brand values while feeling good about the part they have played in helping a good cause.

Consider gift life-cycles  

Everyone loves a high-quality gift and, the great thing is, when you invest in something that has longevity, that’s better for the environment too. Rather than splashing out on a branded water bottle that is cheaply made and unlikely to be used, why not make a mindful investment in a Chilly’s bottle instead? Your delegates go away with something high-quality and likely to last while you stop more plastic going to landfills while you’re at it. Win-win!

Shop Local

When you are looking at where to purchase your gifts, shop local! Choosing where to spend your cash is a direct way of investing in your local economy and spotlighting interesting companies that your attendees might not have heard of. As a proud North East company, BeaconHouse Events has partnered with lots of local businesses including Big River Bakery, For the Love of the North, Marlish Water, and Fenwick to provide goodies made right here in the region. Shopping local embeds you in the local culture, and gives delegates from outside the region a way of taking home a memento of their visit too.

Tree-mendous give-aways

Everyone wants to feel like they are doing their bit, so why not consider planting a tree for every event ticket? Each person has a tangible way of seeing their impact, and gives them something to share post-event too. Follow up the event with a graphic they can share on social media, or a map of where their tree is located to bring the campaign to life in a relevant way.

At BeaconHouse Events we put consideration and thought into every part of the design planning process – including what delegates take away with them at the end of the day. We’re big believers in investing in the attendee experience to create meaningful connections and memories, and not giving away ‘swag’ for the sake of it. Being strategic and creative with your gifting, and keeping sustainability at the heart of your planning not only protects our planet, it creates a great story, sharable moment, and lasting impact too.

We’d love to hear from you about what you could gain from events in a meaningful and fun way next year. To speak to our team contact info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or call 0191 691 3456.