Does your business put on an annual event and is looking for a way to make it unique this year? Perhaps you want to add some value to an event that you already sponsor. Maybe, you just want to start up a new event. Events are great ways to bring the community together and for your business to gain publicity. Event marketing has been known to dramatically increase sales for a business and create awareness that can be more cost effective than other forms of marketing.
Making your event green is a strong strategy to further add marketing value to an event you are affiliated with. If your event is having a hard time gaining some good pre-event PR, being green will certainly catch the attention of media. Through pitch letters and press releases, you can start gaining profitable buzz. In addition, the perception of the public will be greater once they come to your event. Your audience will be impressed with the responsibility your organization has taken to care for your community.
Making an event green may be intimidating but there are some quick, easy steps that can be taken to make it sustainable. For starters, have recyclable containers placed all around the event site. Place signage around the area which encourages participants to use them for garbage. In addition, use eco-friendly products such as bio-degradable cups. Promote biking to your event through selecting a space with ample bike racks. If your event allows vendors, promote your event to businesses that support sustainability and have eco-friendly products. All of these efforts add little, if any, additional costs to your event but add significant marketing value.
Champaign’s annual Taste of Champaign-Urbana is a great example of an event that went green. The event provided free beverage coupons to visitors who rode their bike and all the tickets were printed off on recycled paper. Another good example of a green event is the annual Green Music Fest held in Chicago. Local green vendors were among the many steps taken to make this event more sustainable. The event is different among the numerous Chicago fests because of its theme.
Want to be a part of a green event? Your business needs to do research to see which local events need sponsors. During the stages of securing your sponsorship, make it be known that you will take the lead in making the event sustainable. Better yet, create your own event. A green music fest, for example, could work in any area. Developing a new event takes quite a bit of time. If you start planning far in advance though (6 months- to 1 year) you will be able to produce an amazing event centered around sustainability.
Contact the Illinois Green Business Association for assistance when greening an event. Staff will be able to offer suggestions and can direct you to the appropriate businesses that can aid with your event going green. Have a special event outside, gain great buzz and take care of the environment all at the same time!
No comments:
Post a Comment