Responsible Events Program
Creating Regenerative Events
No matter the season, industry, or venue, events hosted in Edmonton bring value to our community. The Responsible Events Program is just one way Explore Edmonton is ensuring your event and our community can take part in socially and environmentally responsible choices that help give back. Regardless of your budget, our team is ready to help you towards your sustainability journey. We have partnered with several organizations to ensure your event can take part in choices that most align with your company values. Take a look at our menu of items that your event can easily take part in:
The Responsible Events Program is made in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Our offerings align with international standards to ensure that the outcomes from your event work toward common community goals. Click here to learn more about the UN SDG initiatives, or explore our aligned Giving Projects in each of the categories below.
You'll find the corresponding SDG goal marked by an icon in the image next to each program:
Providing Opportunities & Experiences | Reducing Environmental Impact | Venue Programs
Providing Opportunities and Experiences
These programs are available regardless of where you host your event including Explore Edmonton-operated venues. Programs with ($) require a budget. Back to Top
Ticket Donation - Community Organization ($)
Event planners allocate any number of tickets from their event to a non-profit group. This is meant to give equitable access and reduce barriers to recreation, sport, celebrations, and festivals. Examples:
Ticket Donation - Students ($)
Event planners allocate any number of tickets from their conference/summit to a provided academic or training institution. This grants students the opportunity to attend educational conferences and build networks, knowledge, and future opportunities. This will provide access to reduce barriers, primarily financial, to unique academic opportunities. Examples:
Urban Farm Experience ($)
Event planners allocate funds for groups from schools or non-profit organizations to learn about Edmonton agriculture, eat a sustainable boxed lunch, and provide transportation to and from Edmonton's Urban Farm. This experience is meant to give students and groups the opportunity to learn about food cultivation in Edmonton and enhance agricultural literacy through education.
Conferences with content related to agriculture, farming, and food systems may find this program relevant.
City Cleanup Program
Event planners will be able to contribute to the care and beauty of the community by providing either their delegates or staff with the opportunity to take part in a City
Cleanup Program. The cleanup would take place near, surrounding, or at the venue
where the event taking place.
Tools for Schools, United Way
In some areas of the Alberta Capital Region, the need for backpacks filled with school supplies is as high as 8 in 10 students. When we provide access to basic school supplies, we can make sure every child has the chance to succeed. By adding a collection box to your event, you can engage your attendees to support students in their community.
Coats for Kids & Families,
United Way
Coats for Kids & Families collect warm winter gear to ensure families and individuals with limited resources have access to the proper winter outerwear. By adding a collection box to your event, you can help create equity and inclusion in our community by ensuring everyone must access winter wear to navigate and survive Alberta’s chilly winters.
Period Promise, United Way
By running a period product drive at your event, your participants can help create menstrual equity and reduce barriers that prevent individuals from fully participating in work, school, and community by providing access to menstrual products.
Reducing Environmental Impact
These programs are available regardless of where you host your event including Explore Edmonton-operated venues. Programs with ($) require a budget. Back to Top
Carbon Neutral Event Program ($)
Explore Edmonton partners with Ostrom Climate Solutions to help event planners reduce their event's carbon footprint. With our Carbon Neutral Program, planners can now understand their emissions, offset the unavoidable emissions, and create a positive impact.
Stonewoods Forest Carbon
Project ($)
Stonewoods Forest Carbon Project is conducted through a partnership with Wild + Pine.
Event planners can take part in high-quality, transparent, and local environmental restoration projects that deploy native tree and shrub species to restore marginal lands into ecologically vibrant, biodiverse habitats. Sponsored trees are reserved to be planted the following year.
Venue Giving Projects at ECC & EXPO Facilities
These programs are only available at Explore Edmonton-operated venues. Programs with ($) require a budget. Back to Top
Second Helping Program
As a founding partner of the Edmonton Food Bank’s Second Helping Program, both the ECC and EXPO have a direct connection to donate leftover food to those who need it most. When there is a significant number of leftovers, a donation will be made. Request a post-event report to understand your impact on this program.
Urban Beehouse Project ($)
Event Planners can sponsor a Beehouse to be built and maintained at EXPO or ECC. The fixtures are seasonal and remain in place for 2-3 years. The organization’s logo and name will be displayed proudly at each station. The Beehouse will give homes to Edmonton’s Bees where they can help pollinate the surrounding area.
Recyclable Signage ($)
DISPA Board is a 100% FSC (Forest Certified Council) recyclable display board. Explore Edmonton partners with GES to offer this product at the same cost as normal foam-core by helping to absorb the additional product costs.
Post-Event Waste & Sustainability Audit ($)
Event planners can receive a waste composition study for their event at the EXPO or ECC conducted by our partners at Happy Stan’s Recycling (HSR). This opt-in would include a waste audit and event assessment that can help improve and inform on sustainability initiatives for the event planner’s next event.
Ready to Start?
Thank you for your interest in the Responsible Events Program! Our team at Explore Edmonton is ready to help guide you no matter where you are on your sustainability journey. If you've already been talking to someone on our team and are ready to participate in one of the above Giving Projects, please fill out our interest form.