Sustainability Takes Centre Stage
Recent months have seen a landmark development for the events industry with the arrival of BS 8901, a major new standard set to radically transform the events landscape.
Launched at the end of last year and currently going through a series of pilot trials, BS 8901 specifies the requirements for a sustainable event management system. It has been designed to help the events industry conduct its business in a more sustainable way and establishes a framework of management best practice.
It encompasses the entire range of events, from large scale tours and unique events such as the 2012 Olympics to music festivals and amateur sporting events.
So why is BS 8901 important to the industry?
Major event clients such as the London 2012 Organising Committee and the Greater London Authority are already referring to BS 8901 in their tenders. Corporate clients are expected to follow as they work to ensure their own sustainability policies are being implemented throughout their organisations. In addition, event attendees and delegates are becoming increasingly aware of the need to address sustainability. Consequently, this new standard will soon become a minimum requirement to do business in the events industry. Like risk management and health and safety before, it will eventually become part of the way the event industry operates.
It is important for PLASA and its members to be well prepared. To this end, PLASA has developed a cost-effective programme specifically geared to help members implement BS 8901. The programme has been developed with the help of the Sustainable Events Group and is based around a series of educational workshops supplemented by in-the-field support and is currently the only programme of its kind in the world. The Sustainable Events Group were involved in writing the standard and are currently piloting its implementation with a number of major venues and event organisers,
The BS 8901 programme will enable PLASA and its members to get ahead of the rest of the industry and to take a leadership position on the sustainability agenda. In addition, as BS 8901 is up for review at the end of 2008, the PLASA BS 8901 programme will enable members to have a direct say in the structure and content of the revised standard.
Independent third party certification to the standard is likely to become increasingly important. Third party certification provides credibility and this is important as event clients choose to work with organisations that are genuinely capable of improving the sustainability of events. Achieving certification to BS 8901 will therefore provide a competitive advantage as event clients become more discerning.
The PLASA programme also includes certification to the standard. Members participating in the progamme therefore have the opportunity to be amongst the first to achieve independent certification to BS 8901.
Details of the PLASA BS 8901 Programme
The PLASA BS 8901 Programme is a completely integrated programme that will take 15 to 20 members at a time through the development and implementation of an event management system that meets the requirements of BS 8901.
The programme provides all that is required from building capabilities, skills and knowledge in the area of sustainable event management through to certification to BS 8901. At the heart of the programme is a series of five one-day workshops in which all the participating organisations come together to learn about the standard and how to implement it within their own organisation. The workshops will occur at three to four-week intervals. Between workshops, participants will have access to on-line/phone support.
Supplementing the workshops and on-line support is a range of additional, optional services including:
- In house training - training designed to suit the specific needs of each organisation.
- On-site consultancy support.
- Final assessment and report.
- BS 8901 certification (it is recognised that certification is the end point of the programme, but organisations will not be asked to commit to certification at the outset of the programme).
This programme will also play a key role in developing the BS 8901 standard itself. By participating in this programme, your will have the opportunity to influence directly the structure and content of the revised standard.
Benefits of the Programme
The benefits of the programme are numerous:
- The cost of the workshops is shared between the participating organisations thereby providing a low cost route to conformance with BS 8901.
- You will be learning from experts in the field who were directly involved in the development of BS 8901 itself and have considerable experience in sustainability, management systems, event management and certification.
- You will be provided with a range of tried and tested tools and templates designed to give you a quick start on the road to BS 8901.
- You will be among the first organisations to achieve certification to BS 8901 - this will enhance brand reputation, demonstrate leadership and provide differentiation in the market place - particularly with clients that are specifying BS 8901 in their tenders such as LOCOG.
- A discount on the cost of certification has been negotiated specifically for organisations participating in this programme.
- The programme will enable you to:
- improve your business processes.
- anticipate and manage risks and opportunities more effectively.
- achieve operational efficiencies and cost savings.
- strengthen relationships with key stakeholders thereby developing trust and confidence.
- influence directly the shape of BS 8901 to ensure it best meets your needs.
Find out More
The next PLASA Programme, which will be run in tandem with the International Special Events Society, begins on Thursday 15 January 2009 in central London.
If you would like to attend, either download the booking form (top right) or e-mail feedback@plasa.org confirming how many of you will be attending from your company.
For more information please contact Ruth Rossington at PLASA on +44 (0)1323 524125 or e-mail ruth@plasa.org.
