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Tips & Trends

<p>With global conversations increasingly focused on climate change and resource conservation, reducing the environmental impact of events is no longer optional. Event planners understand this charge and are seeking ways to deliver memorable events while prioritizing sustainability.</p>
<p>Among North American meeting professionals surveyed in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/uploads/2023/10/2024-Global-Meetings-and-Events-Forecast.pdf">American Express 2024 Global Meetings and Events Forecast</a>, 69% said that sustainability is extremely important for their organization, and 70% said that sustainability has been strongly adopted in events. Still, nearly a quarter said that a lack of sustainability knowledge, skills, and resources is a big challenge.</p>
<p>Here are five strategies that can help you host more sustainable events.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Reduce Single-Use Items</strong></h2>
<p>The reliance on single-use items, from plastic cups to tote bags, is one of the most visible sources of waste at events. Efforts to lower the waste you generate are likely to be noticed and appreciated by attendees.</p>
<p>Many suppliers specialize in innovative reusable cutlery, plates, drinkware, and packaging. <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/482/how-to-talk-with-vendors-about-your-sustainability-goals">Consider talking to your existing vendors</a> and seeking out new ones to add to your list.</p>
<p>You can encourage attendees to take part in the event's sustainability focus by inviting them to bring reusable containers for water or coffee and providing refill stations. Incentivize participation by offering discounts on paid services or perks such as entry into a prize draw.</p>
<p>Although paper products can be recycled and reused, going paperless can help stop the environmental impact at the source by saving energy from the paper’s production and transportation. Reduce your reliance on printed materials and <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/35/optimal-use-of-event-apps">use an app</a> for schedules, maps, and communication. Apps also can provide a richer attendee experience, through personalized notifications and messaging options, to help boost engagement. A venue’s electronic signage can display real-time information, which may eliminate the need for paper programs entirely.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Repurpose Ingredients to Reduce Food Waste</strong></h2>
<p>It is reported that food waste is a pervasive issue, including at events, where large amounts of leftover food are typically discarded. By making food management a priority, you can help minimize the environmental impact of your event.</p>
<p>Meeting planners should work together with their hotel Event Manager and culinary team when designing menus. Consider reducing the variety of commonly over-produced items like breads, fruits, and grains. Hotels may also be able to repurpose ingredients across multiple dishes to help create minimal waste.</p>
<p>Events are likely to have <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/371/how-to-manage-leftovers-from-your-meeting">leftovers</a>. You can work with your hotel to develop a plan for donating excess to local food banks or community organizations so food is not thrown away or ask about other landfill diversion options such as composting.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Choose Venues with Strong Sustainability Credentials</strong></h2>
<p>The sustainability of your event can start with the venue you choose, as you take into consideration the environmental impact along with cost, location, or aesthetic appeal.</p>
<p>Including sustainability questions in the RFP can help illuminate expectations throughout the venue selection process. Utilize industry standardized questions related to topics such as energy, water and waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and renewable energy use to help understand what each hotel is doing to reduce their environmental impact. And when reviewing venues, look for third-party sustainability certifications, such as Green Key Global or The Green Key, which are operationally-focused sustainability certifications, or building-focused certifications, like LEED.</p>

<h2><strong>4. Prioritize Local and Responsibly Sourced Materials</strong></h2>
<p>By making thoughtful choices about the origin of the products used at your event, you can enhance its overall sustainability.</p>
<p>First, think local. Many elements of your event—including décor, catering, signage, and structures—can be sourced from businesses near your site as a way to help minimize the environmental impact of shipping items from faraway places.</p>
<p>Next, source sustainably harvested, organic, or fair-trade certified materials whenever possible. Food may be the first thing that comes to mind, but responsible sourcing extends to a variety of other areas. For example, you could rent furniture and temporary structures made of bamboo or reclaimed wood.</p>
<p>To help planners in their sourcing decisions, Marriott produced a <a target="_blank" href="https://serve360.marriott.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Marriott-Responsible_Sourcing_Guide_August-2021.pdf">Responsible Sourcing Guide</a> in 2021–22 with criteria and third-party sustainability certification information that encourage responsible sourcing in key areas, such as animal welfare and low-impact agricultural practices.</p>

<h2><strong>5. Understand and Measure Your Environmental Impact</strong></h2>
<p>When discussing your event’s needs with the hotel, ask about the ability of the hotel to provide impact reporting on the sustainable practices they have implemented and/or footprint data associated with the event, as well as any major initiatives they may be a part of to reduce their environmental footprint behind the scenes.</p>
<p>For example, hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio are actively focused on their carbon footprint reduction, as part of the company’s science-based target and net-zero journey. A champion of climate action, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) develops standards and resources to help organizations achieve emissions reduction targets; as of April 2024, Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval from <a target="_blank" href="https://news.marriott.com/news/2024/04/22/marriott-international-celebrates-milestone-on-journey-towards-net-zero">SBTi</a>.</p>
<p>When it comes to reporting on an event’s sustainability impact, Marriott’s <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/#sustainability">Connect Responsibly</a> program - available at hotels from participating brands globally in fall 2024 - provides planners with a detailed <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/sustainability/article/687/meeting-impact-report">Meeting Impact Report</a> and sustainability impact metrics tailored to their event. These include property-specific sustainability practices implemented during the event and the calculated carbon and water footprints of the event.</p>
<p>The Meeting Impact Report also provides planners with a list of vetted and third-party verified carbon offset projects that their event can support.</p>
<p>To enhance transparency with attendees, you can share your event’s estimated and final footprint values, including the implemented sustainable practices and any funding of a carbon offset project, which may help build credibility and educate attendees about the actions being taken collectively to reduce the event’s environmental impact.</p>
<p>“We understand that sustainability is a priority for our customers, which is why we created this robust program,” says Jennifer Kellogg, Vice President of Meetings + Events for Marriott International. “Now, event planners can focus on working with our hotels to deliver memorable experiences while using strategies that can help minimize their environmental impact.”</p>

Global

Consider Using These Strategies During Your Planning and Execution.

5 Tips for a More Sustainable Event

<p>If you’re like most meeting planners, you’ve already made ground in your sustainability goals: 70% of survey respondents in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/uploads/2023/10/2024-Global-Meetings-and-Events-Forecast.pdf">the American Express 2024 Global Meetings and Events Forecast</a> say that sustainability has been “strongly adopted” in their events.</p>
<p>The best sustainability practices are strategic, meaningful, and specific, avoiding falling prey to <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/482/how-to-talk-with-vendors-about-your-sustainability-goals">greenwashing</a>. That said, introducing high-visibility sustainability flair into your meetings can underscore your event’s commitment to the planet. Couple that with your food and beverage program and you’re serving up not just sustainability but delight.</p>
<p>Here are four ways to bring conspicuous sustainability into your food and beverage service:</p>

<h3><strong>Try Edible Servingware</strong></h3>
<p>Basil-infused spoons made of ground grains for caprese tastings. Espresso cups crafted from ice cream cones, meant to be eaten after an espresso shot. Cupcakes presented in flexible, edible wafers. And for the most daring, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/food-trends/media-gallery/22885168/creative-catering-trays-we-love-from-recent-events">cocktails served in snowballs</a>.</p>
<p>Think of these edible items like a bread bowl taken up a notch. Swapping traditional serving elements for edible, sustainable replacements can add convenience and joy to your environmental program. Make sure attendees are aware of what’s edible; otherwise, that aspect of your catering could be lost in the shuffle.</p>

<h3><strong>Get a Little Fruity</strong></h3>
<p>The classic fruit tray can get an upgrade by using jumbo-size fruit as a component of service. Watermelon baskets, pineapple boats, and pomelo cups all add a decorative, sustainable spin to your buffet table.</p>
<p>The trick here is to make sure the fruit itself is actually used, though. Talk with your catering team about handling fruits meant for presentation in a way that preserves both the casing and the inside. It may not be practical for the team to extract watermelon slices from a watermelon meant to be carved into a serving basket, but they can use the fruit for purees and juices.</p>

<h3><strong>Elevate Family-Style Serving</strong></h3>
<p>Banquet service doesn’t have to be waitstaff-only. Let colorful dishes such as family-style salads be the “centerpieces.” If you want to elevate family-style service both literally and figuratively, place these dishes atop complementary centerpiece elements, like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/tabletop/media-gallery/22883889/ideas-for-unexpected-centerpieces-at-events">tree-stump platforms</a>.</p>

<h3><strong>Use Food as Decor</strong></h3>
<p>There’s a reason landscapers often include kale in their plans—it’s beautiful. Attractively bundling fruits and vegetables for an opening-night kickoff celebration and using them as decor evokes a feeling of being connected to the earth. And the next day? Dinner. (Be sure to check with your catering team’s policies first.)</p>

<h3><strong>Remember: Sustainability Goes Beyond the Visible</strong></h3>
<p>Sustainable flair is both fun and practical, but it’s not enough in and of itself to lower your meeting’s carbon footprint. Think of it as an add-on to the program you’re already developing, which may include donating leftovers to reduce food waste, offering reusable servingware (if you’re not using edibles), using local and seasonal produce to avoid unnecessary transportation costs, and having recycling and composting options on hand at the event. For more ideas and event sustainability news, turn to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mpi.org/tools/sustainability-resources">MPI’s sustainability resources</a>.</p>

Fun, Functional, and Friendly to the Planet.

Add Sustainable Flair to Your Food and Beverage Service

Promote

<p>Whether it’s through sleek food carts, delivery robots, or roving food stations, mobile dining options are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/garyocchiogrosso/2024/01/20/trends-shaping-the-ever-changing-restaurant-business-in-2024/">revolutionizing the restaurant industry</a>, which is changing the way we think about event catering. The true magic of mobile food solutions lies in their ability to create a networking-friendly environment. By bringing the food to the guests, these innovative options encourage interaction and engagement. Attendees are more likely to strike up conversations when they don’t have to wait in long lines or leave their groups to get food. This fluidity fosters a more relaxed and sociable atmosphere, perfect for building connections and making new acquaintances.</p>
<p>Additionally, mobile food solutions offer versatility and customization, allowing event planners to tailor the dining experience to suit the theme and objectives of the event. From elegant hors d’oeuvres served on silver platters by roving servers to interactive food stations where guests can build their own tacos or personalize their cocktails, the possibilities are endless. This adaptability ensures that each event is unique, leaving guests with a lasting impression of creativity and hospitality.</p>
<p>Here are three mobile food solutions that can transform any gathering into a networking-friendly extravaganza.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Food Carts</strong></h2>
<p>The food truck industry has experienced a significant upswing in recent years. According to a report by Grand View Research, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/food-trucks-market-report">global food trucks market was valued at $3.93 billion in 2020 and is expected to see a growth rate of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028</a>. According to the report, the growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for street food among millennials and Gen Z, which makes this choice a particularly good fit for modern events. Imagine guests mingling at an outdoor soirée, the warm glow of string lights overhead, as they approach a beautifully designed food cart offering gourmet sliders, artisanal pizzas, or decadent desserts. The sight and smell of delicious food being prepared right before one’s eyes creates an interactive experience that invites conversation and connection.</p>
<p>Food carts can also add a dash of fun to any event. Consider a vintage ice cream cart with a friendly attendant scooping out handcrafted gelato, or a chic espresso cart serving up rich, aromatic coffee. Again, these mobile culinary units not only satisfy hunger by appealing to a vast array of tastes, but they also serve as conversation starters; the more unique and specific the cart, in fact, the more likely it is to help to break the ice and foster new friendships among guests.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Delivery Robots</strong></h2>
<p>As <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/09/02/how-technology-is-changing-the-restaurant-business/">technology continues to advance</a>, so too does the restaurant and hospitality industry’s ability to surprise and delight guests. Delivery robots are at the forefront of this movement, offering a futuristic and efficient way to serve food at events. These autonomous little helpers can navigate through crowds with ease, delivering everything from appetizers to cocktails right to guests’ hands.</p>
<p>Picture the excitement as a sleek robot rolls up to a group of attendees, offering them a selection of gourmet canapés or shot glasses full of ceviche. Not only do these robots add high-tech flair to any event, but they also ensure that guests can enjoy their food and drinks without interrupting their conversations — a seamless integration of technology and hospitality.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Roving Food Stations</strong></h2>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://bridalboutiques.us/roaming-food-bars-our-favorite-wedding-reception-food-trend-for-2019/">Roving food stations</a> (also sometimes called roaming or rolling food stations), staffed by chefs, take the concept of mobile dining to the next level by bringing the food directly to the guests. Instead of having attendees line up at a buffet, these stations move throughout the event space, offering a variety of dishes and beverages. This dynamic approach encourages mingling and allows guests to sample different cuisines without having to leave their conversations or spots.</p>
<p>Think: A sushi chef expertly crafting rolls on a mobile cart, a mixologist shaking up signature cocktails from a stylish bar cart, or a chef carving succulent roast meats from a portable station. The mobility of these stations ensures that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all of the culinary offerings at your event.</p>
<p>So, the next time you’re planning an event, consider mobile food solutions. Not only will they satisfy your guests’ taste buds, but they’ll also create a networking-friendly atmosphere that is sure to make your event memorable.</p>

There’s a New Way to Delight Hungry Guests. 

3 Mobile Food Ideas That Will Create a Memorable Event

Celebrate

<p>Chances are you’ve already ramped up your alcohol-free options in the past couple of years as a response to <a target="_blank" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/509690/young-adults-drinking-less-prior-decades.aspx">the lower rates of drinking in the U.S.</a> and if you haven’t modernized your offerings in the face of this growing trend, you may be leaving value on the table.</p>
<p>Fortunately, elevating your alcohol-free or <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/412/time-to-imbibe:-reduced-alcohol-cocktails">low-alcohol</a> options doesn’t have to be complicated, costly, or any less festive than serving boozy offerings. By incorporating, say, functional beverages, setting up a tea bar, and offering spirit-free flights, meeting planners can create a best-in-class beverage experience that satisfies a variety of tastes and preferences and also facilitates inclusivity and wellness. So, the next time you’re planning an event, use these ideas to mix up your spirit free offerings and leave a lasting impression—that’s not a hangover.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Functional Beverages</strong></h2>
<p>Modern beverages &nbsp;include functional ingredients that help keep attendees’ energy levels up and their minds sharp. Consider creating a booze free menu based around the following ingredients, which don’t just add flavor, they also offer health benefits, giving them added bang for the buck.</p>
<p>● Electrolytes. Some you may have heard of include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and bicarbonate. These essential minerals, which help regulate fluid levels, can be found in coconut water, watermelon juice, and cucumbers, which are all delicious on their own or blended into other nonalcoholic beverages.</p>
<p>● Nootropics. These can include ingredients like ginseng, L-theanine, and green tea extract, all shown to enhance cognitive function. Think about mixing them into juices or teas.</p>
<p>● Adaptogens. These natural substances that help the body adapt to stress can be found in ingredients like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil, all of which can be incorporated into low- or alcohol-free beverages.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Tea Bars</strong></h2>
<p>Tea has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially among <a target="_blank" href="https://www.worldteanews.com/issues-trends/what-tea-retailers-need-know-about-gen-z-and-their-drinking-habits">Gen Z</a>, who are attracted to its variety of flavors and health benefits. Offering a tea bar is an inventive alcohol-free alternative that can cater to your youngest attendees. Try presenting a wide range of teas—served iced or hot—from classic black and green teas to herbal and fruit-infused options (which can be mixed with one another). A jasmine tea lemonade or a spiced chai mocktail can offer a refreshing and complex flavor profile without the need for alcohol.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Spirit-Free Flights</strong></h2>
<p>One of the more innovative trends in the beverage industry is the concept of spirit-free flights. These flights mimic the sophistication and team-building experience of traditional spirits tastings but without the alcohol, making them perfect for corporate events and networking sessions. Try offering a selection of spirit-free options, such as nonalcoholic wines, beers, and distilled spirits. Present them in a stylish manner, similar to traditional flights, with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Optional: Serve with snacks or small bites.</p>
<p>Or, engage attendees by incorporating elements like aroma kits, flavor wheels, and guided tastings led by a knowledgeable host. This not only educates attendees about the nuances of different nonalcoholic beverages but also fosters a sense of community and togetherness—<del> </del>team bonding at its finest.</p>

Shirley Temples Are Child’s Play When It Comes to Alcohol-Free Beverage Options.

Three Ways to Level Up Your Alcohol-Free Beverages

<p>Meetings during these times might be different, but memorable event food and beverage is always a key satisfiaction driver. Offer your guests a feast for the eyes with inventive food presentation. With simple and inexpensive techniques, your event’s food preparation can impress even the most staunch foodie. From plating to dinnerware—and everything in between—you can transform the standard event catering dish into Instagrammable food art. Use any of our food presentation tips to set the mood, communicate your theme and delight your attendees:</p>
<h2>Interactive Plating</h2>
<p>Depending on your event’s budget or format, you can treat your guests to a live, custom plating experience by having dishes prepared at their tables or at a food station (re-designed to maintain proper social distancing). Live food preparation helps entertain guests as they become involved in the process of preparing their meals.</p>
<p>Live food preparation also has the benefit of helping you pare down your menu. Because live food prep works best with foods that do not require thermal processing, you can select dishes that can be chilled or easily assembled. For a simple setup, opt for salads, soups, fish dishes and prepped desserts. Go the extra mile by featuring flambé, hot stone cooking or a live grilling station. With larger parties, feature several skilled chefs and have them prep family-style meals.</p>
<h2>Dinnerware Is Your Décor</h2>
<p>Let your utensils double as decoration! Order custom dinnerware to create an atmosphere of exclusivity and decadence for your guests. For a smaller party or meeting, print custom china, porcelain or stone dinnerware sets that feature your client’s logo or colors. For an inexpensive option, you can order collectible items like cups, mugs or forks that you can incorporate into the event’s meals. Encourage guests to take their new custom dinnerware home in their goodie bags!</p>
<h2>Who Says You Need a Plate?</h2>
<p>Alternative plating is the latest trend sweeping restaurants around the globe. From hollowed pineapple bowls to marble stone slabs, chefs are discovering new ways to present their plates. Experiment with serving your meals in fruit shells (think watermelon bowls for fruit salads), Mason jars or pot lids, or on sanitized charcuterie boards. Serve tapas on jar lids or printed coasters. Try serving beverages out of Mason jars or novelty mugs, or look into a bouquet-style presentation for small desserts like cupcakes. The more creative, the better—but don’t forget to stick to your theme!</p>
<h2>Experiment with Garnishes</h2>
<p>Exotic garnishes can enhance the presentation and taste of a simple meal. Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes or orange peels offer a neutral tone that fits into any taste profile and can be shaped into rosettes. Adding edible flowers like roses or dandelions to a dish can provide a refined touch. For desserts, dried fruit—like pineapples or melons—add a natural sweet touch. Or get a little showy by dusting dessert garnishes with powdered sugar or sugar granules for a crystalline effect.</p>
<h2>Turn Food Stations into Installations</h2>
<p>Transform your guests’ food preparation experience from end to end by stylizing your food stations. Decorative food stations can help fashion a specific atmosphere, enhance your theme and create memorable interactions with your menu. For example, create a narrative about your dishes by adding factoid information cards or explaining how you sourced your ingredients. Use your theme’s colors, graphic profiles, or logos to decorate your food stations. Switch up the event format by placing stations where your guests will never expect them (if you get particularly counterintuitive with your placement, consider adding signage). Collaborate with your venue for the best station setups. When it comes to impressive food preparation, experimentation is key.&nbsp;</p>

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