Leading authority on sustainable events lends his expertise to next generation of events managers

Events Management students from the University of Northampton found out the importance of sustainable events from one of the UK’s leading authorities on the topic.

As managing director of the Smyle creative agency, Rick Stainton is one of the brains behind the Sustainable Events Summit, which sees more than 100 leading corporate brands, agencies, venues and suppliers meet each year in London to shape the future of a sustainable events industry.

He came on to campus on Wednesday 8 February to offer his expertise to final year Events Management students who are studying the Events and Sustainability module.

Sustainability has become increasingly important for the events industry.  This is perhaps driven by a realisation that it may be better for events organisers to be proactive in organising sustainable events rather than waiting for governments to introduce legislation which forces them to.  Another incentive for events managers is the increasing social consciousness of today’s consumers.  Often though, the drive for sustainable events management comes from the events managers themselves – which was the case for Rick.

He informed students that sustainable events incur cost outlays to begin with, but they are far outweighed by the benefits, adding “sustainability is just good business”.

Rick also pointed out that the University’s students are “the future generation of industry”, and by learning about sustainability now, they’ll be well equipped to follow in his footsteps.

Module Leader, Clare Mackay, said: “it was great to hear that what Rick and his company do in practice closely reflects what the students have been learning – he delivered a really inspiring, insightful, and honest session.”