Kerry Wright, Head of Sales at Lime Venue Portfolio, says social value is rising on the agenda for PCOs and associations, but it’s time to push it higher.
In a world where budgets often dictate decision-making, social value is steadily growing in importance for professional conference organisers (PCOs) and associations. While it’s not yet at the top of every agenda, industry experts are optimistic about its growing prominence.
Speaking at a recent ABPCO event, Kerry emphasised the far-reaching benefits of prioritising social value in event planning: “Social value doesn’t have to cost much, but it brings a big impact – not just to the community and the city, but to the conference itself. Social value is the heart of an event.”
Kerry added: “The sentiment is there, but it’s not as high on the agenda as it could be. It’s time for us to push it higher.”
The discussion acknowledged that social value needs to be an integral part of the bidding process and event proposals, and organisations, such as Lime Venue Portfolio with multiple social value initiatives and 70-plus accredited sustainable venues, are well-placed to support PCOs and associations in this area. The conversation also urged PCOs to champion social value in proposals, framing it in a way that is both compelling and accessible. “It cannot be complicated,” one attendee advised, stressing the importance of creating user-friendly formats that resonate with a diverse range of clients.
As part of Lime Venue Portfolio’s mission to lead the way in creating a more sustainable events industry, it will launch the second installment of its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Event Planning Guide series. The ‘S’ (Social) Guide will debut at International Confex, where Lime Venue Portfolio will host one of its signature Roundtable sessions on Social Responsibility, Social Enterprises, and Legacy Building. Lime Venue Portfolio is also the lead sponsor of the People & Culture Theatre where it is co-developing an engaging content programme with Diversity Alliance.
Attendees at International Confex will have the exclusive opportunity to download the 'S' Guide and engage with Lime Venue Portfolio representatives about all things ESG.
Post-event, the guide will also be available for public download from the content hub.
