By Doug Wallace, Ignite magazine | September 2024
Sustainability is unquestionably a core focus in the design and execution of successful business events and a given when it comes to the planning checklist. Explore Waterloo Region (EWR) is working with Sustainable Waterloo Region to offer programs that check those boxes.
“The new carbon transportation offset program is one of the first initiatives in our overarching sustainability tactical plan that we will be rolling out,” says Jennifer Eddings, director of business development at EWR. “In the first year, we will assist event planners in tracking and measuring the carbon output of group transportation for their programs taking place in Waterloo Region. The application process is easy and Explore Waterloo Region will cover the offset cost on behalf of the organizer.”
Working with sustainability experts
EWR will be funnelling the offset dollars to the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project. It is the first carbon offset project in North America to be implemented on traditional territory with unextinguished Aboriginal rights and title. Developed by the Coastal First Nations in association with the British Columbia government, the project “increases carbon sequestration stocks through conversion to protected forests that were previously available for commercial logging,” according to the Great Bear website.
For help with implementing this evolving sustainability plan, the EWR team will also rely on Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), a social enterprise non-profit that addresses organizational sustainability and community-level sustainability.
“We focus on things like greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water infrastructure, mobility—getting goods and people around, employee commuting, active transportation, electric vehicle infrastructure and green building,” says Tova Davidson, executive director at SWR.
“The carbon offset program is designed to help event organizers and tour operators offset unavoidable emissions to make the tourism attractions in Waterloo Region more sustainable,” Davidson says. “In Waterloo Region, 49% of locally produced emissions come from transportation.”
Eddings says the program won’t just support business events, but also sporting events and the travel trade (group tour) market. “And, building on our success with carbon offsetting for ground transportation, we aim to expand this program to include air travel as well.”
Assisting event planners measure sustainability
EWR has access to Impact Tool, which, through its partnership with SWR, will enable event organizers to track and measure the carbon footprint of their events, including everything from AV and food and beverage to transportation and delegate gifts.
“We are working closely with our local business event venues and hotels,” Eddings says. “We go in and get the baseline measurements of the venues when they are not in use. Using those readings, we can plug in information about your conference and measure its output—considering water, hydro and utilities, even food waste. By this time next year, we hope to be actively measuring and offsetting business events taking place in Waterloo Region.”
Waterloo Region is a sustainability leader
Waterloo Region is a leader in sustainability. In May 2024, the region will proudly host the 3rd annual IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Regional Conference at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo. This event will gather thought leaders, destinations, and operators from across Ontario, all focused on advancing sustainability in the tourism industry.
It’s an exciting opportunity that will put Waterloo Region in the spotlight as a leader in sustainability. “Planning for next year’s conference is underway!” says Eddings. “We’re engaging with local experts and curating unique experiences to feature. I’m excited to share Explore Waterloo Region’s sustainability journey and look forward to welcoming more industry partners to the conference, especially other DMOs who, like Explore Waterloo Region, have the potential to become sustainability champions, guiding members and clients to adopt sustainable practices and drive positive change within the industry.”
Personalize Your Group Experience
Contact Jennifer Eddings to learn more about hosting your planet-friendly business event in Waterloo Region.
Jennifer Eddings, Director of Business Development
Explore Waterloo Region
519-590-8126
[email protected]
Explorewaterloo.ca