The world’s changing around us—technology is developing faster than ever, and sustainability is finally on everyone’s radar. The event planning world isn’t being left behind. In fact, it’s going green in a big way! People are more aware than ever that events can rack up serious energy usage, waste, and emissions. So, event planners are stepping up, finding creative ways to make their gatherings as eco-friendly as possible without sacrificing the fun. Spoiler alert: apps are a huge part of the solution! Let’s dive into how event planners are embracing eco-friendly practices—and how mobile apps are leading the charge to help them hit their sustainability goals.

Key Ingredients for a Sustainable Event

Technology is empowering event planners with more eco-friendly options than ever before. Here’s a look at some of the top ways they’re turning green dreams into reality:

Choosing Eco-Friendly Venues and Transportation

One of the first steps toward greener events? Choosing a venue that walks the talk when it comes to sustainability. This includes green venues that use renewable energy, have energy-efficient features, and make recycling easy.

Cutting Down on Energy and Waste

Leveraging renewable energy sources, like solar panels, is key to cutting down an event’s carbon footprint. But that’s not all. Every event produces waste, but today’s organizers are all about managing it smartly. Composting, recycling, and encouraging attendees to reuse are just a few ways they’re making a difference.

Serving Up Sustainable Eats

Who doesn’t love delicious food at an event? But food has a hefty environmental cost when it comes to waste and emissions. Today, event planners are opting for sustainable catering practices—locally sourced, organic ingredients, reusable containers, and compostable cutlery are all becoming standard. These smart choices not only reduce food waste but also support local agriculture.

Going Paperless with Marketing and Communication

Remember the days of paper flyers, registration forms, and schedules? Thanks to event apps, those days are numbered. Now, all communication—marketing, ticketing, registration, and scheduling—is paperless. Not only does this cut down on waste, but it makes life easier for everyone involved.

How Event Apps Make Sustainability Simple

Event apps aren’t just handy—they’re game-changers for anyone looking to host a sustainable event. From planning to execution, apps make it possible to organize an entire event right from your phone (yep, really). Here’s how they’re helping to promote greener events:

Digital Ticketing and Paper-Free Communication

Event apps make it super easy to say goodbye to paper. Everything from digital ticketing to instant updates is handled right within the app, making the whole process smoother and eco-friendlier. Plus, attendees love the convenience of having all the event information in the palm of their hand.

Track Energy Use in Real Time

Many event apps come packed with analytics tools that can track an event’s energy use and environmental impact as it happens. Organizers can measure things like carbon footprint and waste, which means they’re better equipped to plan even greener events in the future.

Boosting Engagement with Green Initiatives

Event apps are great for getting attendees involved in sustainability efforts, too. With features like quizzes, polls, and social media integration, participants can learn about (and contribute to) green initiatives in real-time. It’s a fun way to make sure everyone is on the same page—literally!

The Perks of LEED Certification

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification signifies a building's commitment to eco-friendly practices, making it an excellent choice for sustainable events. Choosing a LEED-certified venue reduces the environmental impact of meetings by prioritizing energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing. These venues also encourage alternative transportation options, promoting public transit and low-emission vehicles. In addition, green buildings enhance indoor environments, improving air quality and providing natural light for healthier, more productive experiences. By selecting LEED-certified facilities, event planners demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is like a gold star for buildings that make eco-friendly choices. Universities and institutions are jumping on board, using LEED standards to make their campuses and event spaces greener than ever. Dawn Corwin, Assistant Director of Student Success at Michigan Technology University, shared how her school is embracing this shift: "In the past, Orientation has printed over 2000 schedule books (they are on glossy paper, look like a magazine, about 20-25 pages each). Once Orientation was over, most of the time, the students would just toss them or maybe recycle them, leading to a lot of waste. Our university has a mission to be more green by 2030 which in turn leads to the LEED certification. Our goal for Orientation is to be all digital by 2025. Guidebook is providing the use of their platform to do that. It will also give our incoming students the ability to create their schedules."

Real-Life Examples of Green Events

If you’re wondering how all of this looks in action, here are some events already using apps to make sustainability part of their core:

CIVSA Annual Conference

The Collegiate Information and Visitor Services Association (CIVSA) transitioned from a cumbersome 60-page printed pamphlet for their 600 attendees to a mobile app. This shift eliminated the need to print 36,000 pages, resulting in over $5,000 in savings. The app enabled real-time updates, push notifications, and live feedback, enhancing the attendee experience while significantly reducing their environmental footprint.

UPCEA Conference

In 2013, UPCEA embraced sustainability by partnering with Guidebook to develop a mobile app for their conference. This digital solution replaced expensive printed materials with features like real-time updates, personalized schedules, and interactive content. The outcome was a notable decrease in paper waste and production costs, with 80% of attendees utilizing the app, which fostered greater engagement with sessions and speakers and aligned the conference with eco-friendly practices.

The University of Manchester Open Day

Dedicated to sustainability, The University of Manchester transformed their Open Day events by using the Guidebook app, replacing 40,000 printed programs. This change not only saved thousands of dollars annually but also streamlined operations by freeing up 2-3 hours of staff time each day. In 2023, the app achieved over 38,000 downloads, supporting their sustainability initiatives while enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The Future is Green

The event industry is going all-in on sustainability, and with the help of event apps, going green has never been easier. Whether you’re planning a small corporate event or a massive festival, these apps make eco-friendly choices simpler—and a lot more fun. At Guidebook, we make it easy to go green with a range of eco-friendly features. Say goodbye to paper reprints with our live-updating mobile schedules, guide your attendees seamlessly with custom maps, and keep sustainability engaging with our gamification tools. And that’s just the beginning! Ready to elevate your event? Our award-winning sales team is here to help you create an app tailored to your sustainability goals, making your event smooth, interactive, and eco-friendly. Get in touch with us today, and let’s start building an unforgettable—and green—event experience!