Last week I co-moderated the #eventprofs (event and tradeshow professionals hashtag on Twitter) Earth Day Tweetchat with my friend, Lindsey Rosenthal (@eventsforgood on Twitter), of Events for Good, which helps companies, nonprofits and associations plan charitable events, fundraising events, and other special events. It was a lively chat with great participation from around the country and even overseas.

Some of the great ideas gleaned from the chat included:

• Going paperless with handouts, brochures, show directories, etc. Documents would be distributed electronically. Also using new technologies such as Foursquare and texting to enhance attendee and exhibitor experience.
• Reusing centerpieces from previous events
• Reusing/recycling/donating display materials
• Reusing/renting/recycling show carpeting
• Providing ample recycling bins
• LED lighting
• Donating unused food to shelters and charities (thanks to event planner Susan L. Cope, @susanlynncope on Twitter, for providing insight on Good Samaritan Laws covering this)
• Internet cafes of laptops for those who don’t/can’t bring to events
• Virtual tradeshows
• Using kiosks for signage and input
• Not pre-filling water glasses on tables and encouraging reusable water bottle use with water stations
• Using guidelines such as those from the U.S. Green Building Council (.pdf) and BSI Group’s Sustainability Management Systems for Events guidelines (Thanks to @MtgRevolution and @KristiNihiser on Twitter for those links)
• Carefully using carbon offset purchases and determining carbon footprint of your event. Click here to calculate the carbon footprint of your event.
• … and more!

Still challenging…

• Cost of going green still outweighing economic factors
• Many people don’t care about green issues

But I think event specialist Cheryl Lawson, @Partyaficionado on Twitter, summed it up best with, “You don’t have to be 100% to make a difference. People fear the ‘Oh, this isn’t green’ and don’t do anything.”

Thanks to all the #eventprofs who participated!

• Follow the #eventprofs Hashtag on Twitter (and join the conversation!)
• Get the #eventprofs chat schedule
• Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Your Event
• Shop for Greener Promotional Products at PromoWithPurposeShop.com