A Meeting Planner’s Guide to Sustainable Gifts for Attendees

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Whether for travel incentives or meetings, gifts for events are something special that starts a “feel good” moment with all attendees. Historically these can be large gift baskets filled with expensive wines, electronics, locally made gifts, etc. But as more corporations are aware of climate change and leaving smaller carbon footprints, gift-giving is a matter that should be addressed with as much care as the venue, vendor-partner selection, catering, and other aspects of the event itself. Here is a guide to navigate with gifts and ideas for sustainability practices.

Why does sustainability gifting matter?

Perception – More than ever, social responsibility and impact are essential to customers and talent. Gifts that are consciously chosen with green-friendly, low carbon impact, with sustainability in mind, communicate that your business cares about people and the greater world.
Values – Gifts selected that mirror corporate values and the mission of the meeting or the event send a message that you’re willing to invest not just in people but in matters that are important to them.
Commitment – Deciding to choose sustainable products and services shows your company’s commitment to social responsibility. It builds trust and shows loyalty from all stakeholders that share your values.

What defines a gift as “sustainable”?

Items that are made from eco-friendly, repurposed/upcycled, or recycled materials.
Be aware that some recycled items aren’t always “sustainable.” For example, some paper and plastic materials may be made from recycled materials. However, the chemicals or processes used aren’t always eco-friendly.
Items that are made from alternative materials or sustainable processes.
They have natural fragrances that are free-trade, organic, etc. They don’t have chemicals, dyes, bleaching, etc.

PRO-TIP: To ensure that merchandise and products are authentically organic, verify with certification. In countries such as the United States and Australia, for example, genuinely organic items are subjected to audits, rigorous testing and are governed by certification entities.

Items that eliminate “single-use” or provide a zero-waste alternative.
Two examples include a stainless-steel bottle for hot or cold beverages or recycled nylon and natural fair-trade rubber sandals.
Items that consider the impact on the environment, especially when it comes to landfills.
Consider organic cotton or linen shirts instead of Lyrica polo or golf shirts. An organic cotton or linen shirt is biodegradable. However, a product manufactured with Lyrica could take over five hundred years to decompose.

Seek Gifts with Certifications

1% for the Planet – These companies promise to provide 1% of their profits (or the equivalent thereof) to environmental charities. (1)
B Certified Corporation – These companies must meet the highest environmental and social performance standards, transparency, and accountability. All Certified B Corporations must reflect in their corporate mission that they balance profit and purpose. (2)
Climate Neutral Certified – These companies are held to standards and accountability concerning emissions and set targets to reduce their carbon footprints. (3)
Fair Trade Certified – These businesses are held to standards that include environmental sustainability, community and individual well-being, empowerment, and environmental stewardship. Requirements must be updated regularly for sustainable land management, fair labor, and workers’ rights. (4)

Explore Sustainability Options

One Tree Planted – These businesses seek to have a positive environmental impact by planting a tree for every product or service sold, donating a percentage of gross sales, or donating employee time to tree planting activities. (5)
Million Tree Challenge – Run by One Tree Planted, Million Tree Challenge is an opportunity to help reforestation efforts across the globe. One-dollar plants one Tree. This activity can be a great team-building activity to see how many trees each team can acquire through various activities, various goals, etc. (6)

As society struggles to minimize our environmental impact, companies can start by reviewing their purchasing decisions. Choosing to use sustainable gifts made with recyclable materials helps create a more sustainable environment and sends the message to your attendees that you commit to social responsibility.

Uncertain times call for creative thinking. Contact Gavel International to be inspired with solutions that connect and engage your people.

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Sources

https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/
https://bcorporation.net/
https://www.climateneutral.org/
https://www.fairtradecertified.org/
https://onetreeplanted.org/
https://onetreeplanted.org/products/million-tree-challenge

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Jim Bozzelli

With over 34 years of experience, Jim is fluent in the ins and outs of the meeting and event world. His tenacity and creativity as a strategist have ensured that incentive programs and corporate meetings are highly polished while simultaneously achieving big-picture goals and objectives. Before focusing exclusively on corporate events and incentive programs, he enjoyed over 10 years of success managing and directing national and international sales. During this time, he worked closely with hotels and convention bureaus. His expertise was recognized with rapid promotions along the way. Over 18 years ago he joined the Gavel International team where he works tirelessly with clients to make their events shine by analyzing data, setting goals, negotiating contracts, as well as setting and managing budgets. He is currently the Vice President of Gavel International.