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5 Sustainable Event Ideas to Make an Impact in 2025

As an eco-conscious organization, you work hard to reduce your impact on the environment by taking measures to save energy and reduce waste. Yet, when planning an event that doesn’t fall into the scope of your typical operations, it’s easy to overlook the potential environmental impact. Luckily, it’s possible to arrange an amazing and successful event while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Evaluation and careful planning can help you create a sustainable event that matches your goals and aligns with your organization’s core values. 

It’s crucial for businesses to prioritize sustainability in all aspects of their operations. One area that often goes overlooked is corporate events. These gatherings can have a significant environmental impact, but with some thoughtful planning and conscious decision-making, these events can be more sustainable. In this blog, we will explore five practical tips to help you organize eco-friendly corporate events in 2025.

1. Choose Sustainable Venues

Selecting the right venue plays a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint of your event. Look for venues that prioritize sustainability by implementing energy-efficient practices, utilizing renewable energy sources, and having recycling programs in place. Look for locations with green certification, such as LEED or Green Seal. These certifications indicate that the venue has met specific environmental performance and sustainability standards. In addition to green certifications, consider the venue’s energy efficiency. Additionally, consider hosting events at locations easily accessible by public transportation to encourage attendees to use greener commuting options. Some companies may even consider hosting regional meetings instead of one national meeting to reduce their carbon footprint.

2. Minimize Waste Generation

Reducing waste should be a top priority when organizing sustainable corporate events. Opt for digital invitations instead of paper ones and provide recycling bins throughout the venue for easy waste separation. Encourage caterers to use reusable or compostable servingware rather than single-use plastics or Styrofoam products. For example, instead of disposable plastic water bottles, provide refillable water stations strategically placed around the event space along with biodegradable cups made from plant-based materials.

3. Embrace Technology

Leveraging technology not only enhances the attendee experience but also reduces the environmental impact of your event. Utilize event management software or mobile apps that allow participants to access schedules, maps, and other relevant information digitally. Go paperless at your event by using an interactive event app to manage your agenda, communication, and travel itineraries.

4. Incorporate Sustainable Catering Options

Food choices at corporate events can significantly contribute to their overall sustainability profile. Opt for locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to reduce transportation emissions and support local farmers. Prioritize vegetarian or vegan menu options as they have a lower carbon footprint compared to meat-based dishes. One option might be to partner with catering companies specializing in sustainable practices such as sourcing organic produce from nearby farms or donating excess food leftovers to local charities.

5. Offset Carbon Emissions

Despite our best efforts, some carbon emissions are inevitable during large-scale events like conferences or trade shows due to travel requirements and energy consumption on-site. Consider partnering with organizations that specialize in carbon offset projects such as reforestation initiatives or renewable energy investments.

By implementing these five tips into your corporate event planning process, you can make significant strides toward creating more sustainable gatherings in 2025 and beyond.

The Importance of Sustainable Event Planning

Impact is typically top of mind in event planning. You want to create a memorable event that delights participants and yields the desired impact. Achieving those goals often means abundance at every turn, including food catering, lavish decorations, attention-grabbing visuals and presentations, staging, audio, and more. It’s easy to overlook the fact that such an event can consume an immense amount of energy and generate tons of waste (literally). Sustainable event planning requires consideration of the environmental impact of your event and making changes to mitigate that impact.

Hosting sustainable events helps reduce harm to the environment and shows your staff and customers that you’re committed to your values as an eco-friendly organization. Making the effort to reduce your environmental impact in every way sets an example that other companies can follow, further contributing to long-term sustainability. 

Selecting Eco-Friendly Venues

Your event venue will play a significant role in its sustainability. Structures built to maximize environmental benefits may utilize solar energy and kinetic energy, along with the use of energy-efficient systems and equipment. Venue owners take further measures to improve sustainability with systems designed to reduce waste.

Consider these factors when choosing a venue.

  • Proximity to public transportation
  • Size of the building
  • Sustainably sourced or eco-friendly supplies (including tableware, linens, and food packaging)
  • Energy efficiency (including lighting, heating/cooling, and presentation equipment)
  • Water conservation measures
  • Recycling programs

Utilizing Digital Tools to Minimize Waste

Evolving technology empowers organizations to produce extraordinary events that inspire and delight participants. Modern technology can also play a significant role in improving sustainability. From virtual attendance to waste-free marketing, digital tools offer many ways to reduce an event’s environmental impact. 

  • Virtual and hybrid event platforms: Hosting virtual or hybrid events allows you to reduce the environmental impact of travel and resource consumption while engaging a larger audience and increasing accessibility.
  • Smart lighting and energy systems: Systems that use sensors to automatically adjust lighting and temperature levels based on room occupancy or usage data keep rooms comfortable while reducing energy consumption.
  • Event planning and management software: Event management software allows organizers and attendees to have event details in the palm of their hands whenever and wherever they need them. Organizers can paperlessly make changes, share information, and keep attendees informed of travel and lodging details from practically any device. 
  • Event sustainability tracking software: Software designed to help organizers meet their sustainability goals allows event organizers to track metrics like waste, energy consumption, and emission reductions. These metrics can be used to make improvements and report on their event’s sustainability. 

Contact Us at Miller Tanner Associates to Help Plan Your Next Sustainable Event

At Miller Tanner Associates, we’re passionate about helping companies around the world create events that are impactful, engaging, and aligned with their goals. Our commitment to excellence means you can count on us to deliver thoughtful, sustainable solutions that elevate your events without compromising on quality. Reach out today to discover how we can help make your next event not only memorable but also meaningfully sustainable.

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Meet MTA: Leslie Holt, Senior Billing Associate

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Senior Billing Associate Leslie Holt. Leslie’s fastidious care of our customers’ final billing portfolio and her expertise in financial intricacies truly make her an invaluable asset to our MTA team.

Meet Leslie Holt

Tell us about your current role with MTA. What are your primary responsibilities? 

I’m the sr. billing analyst for the Finance Team.  I pull together all of the meetings costs, create the final invoice and send that along with the billing portfolio (all supporting back up documentation) to the customer and finalize/close out the events in our accounting system. I provide support to our customers for any reconciliation questions they may have regarding the billing portfolio. 

How long have you been with MTA?

Prior to 2020, I was with MTA for 5 years. I rejoined MTA about three months now.  My heart never left.   

What did you do before joining MTA?

Prior to joining MTA the first time, I spent 19 years as a financial analyst. I also worked for 3 years as an accounts payable analyst. Before returning to MTA this year, I was working as an implementation project manager. 

What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job? 

It’s a fun job because, while I’m sitting here at my desk in Middle Tennessee, my mind is all over the world depending on where our meeting took place.  Being part of the big picture team that makes it happen is extremely fulfilling. Additionally, I find the end result very fulfilling when we have a perfectly balanced and well-documented billing portfolio to provide the customer.  I like to look back over the list of completed projects and think, “wow, look at all we accomplished!”   

I’m sure what makes Miller Tanner stand out as a planning company are our people and the sincere desire to execute on a meaningful, impactful meeting experience every time.  We take it personally because it is. 

What are some ways that the Finance Team takes the burden off of the customer when planning an event?

The client can always trust that we are good stewards of their money.  From the first step to the last, there is a solid audit trail and total transparency so once it reaches the customer’s desk it should only be a quick and easy review for them with little to no questions or issues.   

What makes Miller Tanner stand out as a meeting planning company?

I’m sure what makes Miller Tanner stand out as a planning company are our people and the sincere desire to execute on a meaningful, impactful meeting experience every time.  We take it personally because it is. 

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? 

The MTA Workshops are important because they bring us together to bond, to celebrate who we are and what we do, and to give us the time to forward look where we are going. We are all together hearing the master plan at the same time and generating thoughts and ideas from the thoughts and ideas of others.   It’s a  reset moment for me.  You can talk to someone via email and Zoom and feel that you know them, but being together in person affords us an opportunity to connect in a more real and meaningful way and gives chance and time for collaboration and ideas to be born of feelings that only happen when we are together.   

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy going out to live music at small venues, as well as local art exhibits and craft markets.  I enjoy adding to/listening through my record collection, dancing around in my living room, spending time with friends and sharing good food.  

Where do you live and what do you love most about your state/city? Any must-see tourists spots?

I live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee which, interestingly, is the geographic center of the state.  I love the natural beauty of this area, the distinct seasons, and slow and easy southern hospitality.  There are so many fun things to do in any direction which makes for easy day trips and adventures.  

Anything else you’d like to add? 

MTA has taken me to places in the world that I never would have otherwise had a reason or opportunity to visit with experiences I could have never had.  MTA gave me a job but also made me a part of a team whose ties and commitment run deep in a way that makes it more than just a job.   

Visit www.millertanner.com to learn more about MTA and our associates. Get to know our associates by following us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes with our team.

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Meet MTA: Lexus Mac Dannald, Staff Accountant

Lexus Mac Dannald Staff Accountant

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Staff Accountant Lexus Mac Dannald with our Finance Team.  Lexus’s role is to assist our Finance Team with internal and external accounting operations, keeping our processes running smoothly and efficiently.

Meet Lexus Mac Dannald

Tell us about your current role with MTA. What are your primary responsibilities?  

I handle payroll, accounts receivable, invoicing, and related communication with customers along with other accounting duties as needed.

What did you do before joining MTA?  

I worked as an accountant previously for a medical products company.

Languages spoken: English and Spanish 

What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job? 

I love that there are the monthly tasks to get done, but that not every day is the same. There are always projects or tasks that pop up and keep me busy. 

What do you do for fun? 

I have a Shiba Inu, so he takes up a lot of my time. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, exercising, reading, and seasonal recreation activities since I live in a temperate area. 

    Where do you live and what do you love most about your state/city? Any must-see tourists spots? 

    I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. South Dakota has some great hiking spots and, of course, Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

    Visit www.millertanner.com to learn more about MTA and our associates. Get to know our associates by following us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes with our team.

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    Success Story: How VALTs Delivered Tailored Training to 2,500+ HCPs for an International Study Series

    The Event: 

    Our customer, a pharmaceutical company, launched a series of international studies with the goal to ensure that all study sites, study coordinators, and/or HCPs involved had access to: 

    • all training content housed within a secure online system 
    • content management system with ease-of-use capabilities such as customizable learning plans, electronic signature, reporting and tracking 
    • weekly updates throughout the duration of the studies  
    • ongoing engagement in the training beyond the initial investigator meeting 
    • administrative dashboard to effortlessly manage and update all content and designate assigned users for a customized training experience 

    The Solution:  

    Using MTA’s proprietary tool, VALTs Virtual Assessment Learning and Training Source, our team designed a robust online system for managing our customer’s training content that met all requirements as defined by the customer. 

    The Results:  

    • Using VALTs over a three-year period, our customer has captured and managed content for 8 studies and counting. 
    • Within VALTs, over 2,500 users have access to 77 individually customized catalogs assigned to distinguished users and over 548 presentations. Catalogs are designated by country, by role, and blinded/unblinded for a customized training experience.  
    • Content included in these catalogs consists of both video and documentation such as memos, manuals, study documents, monthly newsletters, protocol updates, study logs, protocols, SIV training, and internal training.  
    • VALTs content accommodates users from all over the globe and includes 33 countries in North and South America, APAC and Europe. 
    • China and Japan studies include simultaneous interpretation, captured, and edited in native language and added to the VALTs catalog.  
    • This is MTA’s largest-built and longest-running VALTs to date. Its success is largely due to the partnership with our customer, working together to engage the users by updating content consistently and frequently.  

    “Finding a solution that provided our customer with one point to access the data across multiple studies and sites with a lot of crossover between studies resulted in measurable success on many levels.” Meredeth Brower, Product Lead, MTA Technology Services 

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