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Helping your delegates make responsible choices
8 ways you can encourage your delegates to enjoy the North East of England responsibly
With the climate crisis and over-tourism high on the agenda and of great concern for destinations and visitors across the world, we have collated just some of the ways conference delegates can have a positive impact on our region when they visit.
1. Check sustainability credentials
A number of our venues and accommodation providers are prioritising sustainable and regenerative travel, tourism and experiences. Point your delegates in the direction of organisations with sustainability credentials when they are choosing who to travel with and where they stay and explore. Look out for third-party certifications, including Green Key and Green Tourism. Share our database of accredited venues and suppliers
2. Encourage the use of reusable water bottles and travel cups
Staying hydrated at conferences is important for a delegate’s wellbeing and bringing their own bottle is the best way to cut down on the amount of plastic waste produced at your conference. Enjoy the clean, clear drinking water from our taps. You can find out more about our drinking water on the Northumbrian Water website.
Reusable coffee cups are another item to consider.
3. Spend locally
Delegates can enjoy some of the best products and support local producers, makers and businesses whilst they visit the region. Explore a wealth of local food producers at Fenwick Food Hall and check out local gifts and food vendors at places like Grainger Market, Tynemouth Market or Sheepfolds.
4. Leave the car at home
If travelling from elsewhere in the UK, delegates can be confident in leaving their cars at home. The North East of England is well connected to destinations across the country, with London, Manchester and Edinburgh all accessible in under three hours. If travelling from mainland Europe, the DFDS ferry crossing from Amsterdam to Newcastle is another sustainable option. Once here, it’s easy to get from A-to-B with our cycle paths, Tyne & Wear Metro network, and walkable city centres.
5. Respect locals and other delegates
In the North East, we pride ourselves on our warm welcome and inclusivity. Delegates can contribute to this by adopting a culture of respect through being accepting of others and not discriminating against them because of their age, sex, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.
6. Engage with the community
One way delegates can have a positive social impact on our region is by engaging with our local community through volunteering. There are a vast range of organisations that provide corporate volunteering opportunities that have a real impact. Check out our Volunteering opportunities for delegates page for more information
7. Offer plant-based food options by default
A simple change to reduce the carbon impact of your event and to encourage delegates to make conscious choices, is by offering opt-in meat options for any formal dining or banquets.
8. Raise their waste awareness
By making your delegates aware of your planned waste management ahead of the conference, there is a better chance delegates will recycle correctly during the event.
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The North East of England’s ambition is to create a thriving region where tourism and events are a catalyst for economic growth and social and environmental regeneration, including revitalising our natural landscapes and cultural heritage, and boosting engagement with our local communities. Explore the North East Regenerative Visitor Economy Framework to find out how we aim to achieve this.