When you feel overwhelmed that the systems you work within can't handle the beautifully sustainable plan you've designed, A) you're not wrong or crazy, that is a real problem and it sucks; B) don't give up, send up the smoke signals that show the powers-that-be where the weaknesses are in our local systems. Remember events are invisible to the outside world, so regulating for us and solving our problems is hard. The bureaucrats and the government agencies need problems to be persistent and prolonged before they get addressed so we need to start documenting what doesn't work and letting them know. This applies to all 4 Pillars: environmental, social/community, personal health, and economic. Whether a law, an expense, a penalty, or simply the lack or solution or service is the reason we have to tell someone who can make an impact.

Whether it is your city council, mayor, health department, governor, state departments, or waste management here is an easy template you can keep in your email to send as soon as you run into a problem. Want the problem to seem more urgent? Have 3 friends send similar complaints from their businesses!

Here is your Email Template:

Dear [whoever I'm writing to],

I am an event planner, I work on community and corporate events, between 100 and 20,000 attendees large, depending on the event. I'm currently running into a problem with [X]. The demand from the community and the best course of action would be to [Y] but I cannot, because of [Z]. I feel due to the demand by the community, it's important that you know that this gap exists.

Thank you for your consideration. Feel free to reach out to me if you need clarification.

Sincerely,

[Me]

[Business Name]

[Address to show I'm in their constituency - or location of your event if that is more pertinent]

And sorry if you end up an advisor to government committees for people such a contributing member of your community! I told you already, you're smarter and probably better than lots of people out there.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PlasticFreeJuly.org is the resource to take your plastic free pledge, get info and resources and learn more.

I encourage you to take the opportunity to make a switch you've had your eye on, make it a group effort with your team, family and/or neighbors, and follow along to learn what hidden opportunities you have to make a plastic free choice.

This episode was not made in affiliation with Plastic Free July or the Plastic Free July Foundation.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, despite my victorious comments, I have not mastered the audio problems. You can tell I go straight back to pounding the pavement by the end.

In the bulk of the episode you'll hear about what kind of oversight and intervention will eventually creep into your events. Your decision is whether to be prepared and have the changes roll off you like water off a duck's back or wait and gamble the timing of involuntary enforcement.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SUMMER TIME!

Let's go over some ideas to make sure your Outdoor Events are maximizing your sustainability choices.

- Environmental - Try to use renewable power, or cleanER when that's not an option. Reduce trash onsite by encouraging water vessels be refilled and by getting outdoor friendly dish rentals (like Bold Reuse, R.World, even CORT.) If you use compostable be sure to check: is it commercial compost only? Do you have waste sorting? Do you have compost pickup?

- Social/Community - Do a review for accessibility based on physical access, safe resting places, and oases from the sunshine. Also, check out your subconscious bias. In America, we have a historic subconscious (from a very conscious) bias against black and other non-white people being allowed in outdoor spaces to have fun, practice getting ahead of that and reducing your biases in general.

- Personal Health/Well-Being - WATER, make sure people have access to it and there is enough. Bathrooms, now that the population is hydrated, be sure to have enough bathrooms easily accessible. SUNSCREEN, I go on a tangent here about how reef-safe sunscreen is important in all environments due to how all waterways eventually merge, we don't want aquatic-life killing chemicals in any part of the water system. Also all humans with skin need sunscreen and protection from UV, not just pale white people like me.

- Economic - Instead of recommending to make positive investments with your money this time, I remind you to NOT HARM your local economy in the area of your event. Be conscientious.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sorry for another week of questionable sound quality.

Inclusivity starts with our language. Our understanding of the world is rooted in the words we use, our brains literally process the world based on language.

In this episode I outline a bit of the understanding and perspective that helped me transform my thoughts around inclusive language and practicing new ways of talking. I was HIGHLY influenced by listening to the book The Power of Language by Viorica Marian.

Curious to follow up on the concept of psychological safety? This article takes it to the next level: https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/psychological-safety But remember, social safety of belonging, inclusion, and acceptance is the baseline requirement BEFORE anything else like Work can be added to the mix successfully.

Does this topic resonate with you? Do you need to get more or deeper answers? Remember to use my form, linked below, to submit new or follow up questions.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Pride! This month is all about visibility and action for the LGBTQ+ community. As event pros it is our highest duty to facilitate community, this week you will get a handful of ideas on where to look to expand your inclusivity.

For more info on the intersection between accessibility needs and the LGBTQ+ population look into books and papers by Dr. Devon Price

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Couple ideas for improving your AV Sustainability in each of the 4 Pillars. This is an example of quickly reviewing and brainstorming ideas to improve your metrics in Environmental, Social/Community, Personal Health/Well-being, and Economic in one sector of your event, today AV Production.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you or your clients have the knee-jerk reaction "We can't, that's not in the budget" what does that really mean?

On this episode I expose the difference between "we literally have no more money to spend" and "I don't want to spend my money on THAT" which is what it often comes down to when people use the excuse "no budget." As always it boils down to planning ahead, and knowing your intensions and whether the financial budget is the problem or if you are reflexively rejecting change. Keep an eye out for when you could use your time, effort, or advice budget instead of financial budget.

Follow @PositiveImpactEventConsulting on YouTube to get the video feed!

To ask a question for a future walk email: AlyciaDrubeEvents {at} gmail.com or go to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduKevDmLDOr2HhNORhM8giycd1VOOgYGObHXFyD_OhWFCtpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

To engage with Positive+Impact Event Consulting to make your Event Business and Events you work on more sustainable visit AlyciaDrube.com

If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast on your podcast app of choice check out the landing page: https://shows.acast.com/sustainable-events-dog-walk-podcast

Or copy and paste: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/673509b204b5d35af46eb38a

to your preferred podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.