No matter the season, industry, or venue, events have the potential to bring value to the communities in which they are hosted. As we work to consider more sustainable approaches to hosting events, regenerative tourism comes to the forefront – leaving a destination better than you found it. The Responsible Events Program is one way Explore Edmonton is ensuring events hosted in Canada’s capital of Alberta can take part in socially and environmentally responsible choices that help give back and contribute to regeneration.
Regardless of budget, Explore Edmonton’s sustainability team is ready to help planners on their event sustainability journey. Featuring a menu of responsible options, the Responsible Events Program (REP) was designed to help make giving back possible for all event sizes, types, and budgets when a planner chooses Edmonton.
With a variety of different Giving Projects to choose from, planners can identify ways to give back that align with their event’s objectives. For example, events can donate to Period Promise through the United Way or support reforestation efforts through partners like Wild + Pine. The REP also includes an option to participate in Explore Edmonton’s Carbon Neutral Events program.
There are also Giving Projects specific to events hosted at one of Edmonton’s two signature venues – the Edmonton Convention Centre and the Edmonton EXPO Centre. While these Green Key and Climate Smart certified venues strive to consider sustainability in every aspect of their operations, there are now additional sustainable program options available to planners through the REP. These include the Urban Beehouse Project, where events can sponsor a beehouse at either venue to promote urban biodiversity, or the Second Helping Program, where leftover food from event meals is donated to Edmonton’s Food Bank.
To ensure outcomes are working toward common community goals, the REP was created to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). At a foundational level, the REP is connected to two:
- UN SDG #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- As events involve consumption and production, Explore Edmonton recognizes its role as a DMMO in accelerating a sustainable and regenerative tourism sector by providing events with resources to operate sustainably. This lies at the heart of the Responsible Events Program.
- UN SDG #17 – Partnerships for the Goals
- Sustainable social, environmental, and economic progress must be done in collaboration. Working toward a more sustainable and regenerative tourism sector requires the support of international organisations, NGOs, non-profit government bodies, tourism operators, etc. Explore Edmonton acknowledges that to achieve success through the Responsible Events Program, they must have the partnership of many – local partners, event partners, and beyond.
Each Giving Project that is part of the REP may also align with more SDGs, beyond 12 and 17.
Whether an event has a seasoned sustainability policy or is only just beginning to consider how to meet more sustainably, there is an option for everyone as part of the Responsible Events Program in Edmonton. Elements of this program were recently featured in an international docuseries called Sustainable Travel: Where Next? This series highlights leaders and influencers in sustainable tourism, and Edmonton was proud to be featured for its efforts to help planners host regenerative events. Watch the Edmonton episode here or learn more about the REP and how to get involved here.
For more information, contact:
Tessa Vriend – Marketing Account Manager, Business Events
Explore Edmonton
