Sustainability Takes Centre Stage
- Half-Day Overview - Wednesday 15 July - Sage, Gateshead.
- Wave 4 workshops commence on Tuesday 8 September - CIEH, London.
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 2007 and now in its final revision stages, 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?
Working to the core principles of BS8901 - which encourages businesses to develop strong management systems and a sustainable approach to their financial, social and environmental practices - is essential in the sector, and achieving certification to BS 8901 will undoubtedly provide a competitive advantage.
Major event clients such as the London 2012 Organising Committee and the Greater London Authority are already referring to BS 8901 in their tenders, and 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 put together with the help of the Sustainable Events Group, who played a key role in the development of the BS 8901 Standard, and is based around a series of practical workshops supplemented by in-the-field support.
It is currently the only programme of its kind in the world, and will enable PLASA Members to get ahead of the rest of the industry and to take a leadership position on the sustainability agenda.
PLASA itself has participated in the programme and is currently working towards BS 8901 compliance.
Details of the PLASA BS 8901 Programme
The PLASA BS 8901 Programme is a completely integrated programme that will take companies from across the sector through the development and implementation of an event management system that meets the requirements of BS 8901.
The programme will assist you in building capabilities, skills and knowledge in the area of sustainable event management. The programme features a one-day 'Understanding BS 8901' introductory session which can be attended by several members of your team, followed by a series of four one-day workshops attended by the people who will be responsible for implementing BS 8901 within your organisation. These take place at four-week intervals and between workshops, participants will have access to on-line/phone support.
To create extra value, working in partnership with SEG and other event trade bodies, we are also actively inviting participation from other organisations linked to the events sector, including event organisers, local authorities, financial organisations and key companies in the events supply chain.
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).
Benefits of the Programme
The benefits of the programme are numerous:
- PLASA Members get special rates on the course fees.
- 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.
- 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.
Link to the recently issued LOCOG event guidelines
The key paragraph from the LOCOG event guidelines is:
"We expect the companies and organisations we work with to have in place a sustainability policy, to comply with all applicable legal requirements and at least be working towards implementation of BS 8901 in their own right."
Find out More
September BS 8901 Programme - commences Tuesday 8 September, London
The next PLASA Programme, which will be run in tandem with the International Special Events Society and the National Outdoor Events Association, begins on Tuesday 8 September 2009 in central London.
We are also running a half-day overview session in Gateshead on the 15 July which will be ideal if you wish to learn more.
If you would like to attend either, please e-mail feedback@plasa.org confirming your contact details and we'll then contact you with further information and the course fees.
For more information on BS 8901 in general please contact Ruth Rossington at PLASA on +44 (0)1323 524125 or e-mail ruth@plasa.org.
