What sustainability means for our corner of the event industry

In the world of events, sustainability is often discussed in terms of venue choice, catering, travel, or waste reduction. At Touchpoint, our focus is on a specific corner of the event journey: registration and onsite technology. While we may not decide what’s on the menu or how delegates arrive, we do have the power to shape the first impression of every attendee and to ensure this part of the event is as efficient, streamlined, and environmentally responsible as possible. 

For us, sustainability means making deliberate choices such as reducing unnecessary printing, extending the lifespan of our technology, cutting transport emissions where possible, and supporting clients in creating a seamless experience that doesn’t come at the cost of the planet. 

What has inspired us 

Our inspiration comes from two places: our clients and our industry. More event organisers are asking the big questions about their environmental impact. They’re seeking solutions that minimise waste and offer smarter, greener ways to engage attendees. We’ve also been inspired by the events industry itself – an industry known for its innovation and adaptability as it continues to push boundaries on what sustainable events can look like. 

Closer to home, joining initiatives like City Switch, Close the Loop and Teracycle, has reinforced our belief that small, consistent changes across all aspects of an event add up to real impact. Watching entire industries move toward net zero has inspired us to consider our role and to step up in the areas we can influence most. 

How we can have an impact 

While we don’t run the whole show, our influence is meaningful. Here’s where we’re making a difference: 

Reducing Waste 

• Shifting towards digital-first solutions to limit unnecessary printing. 

• Working with smart event apps to replace printed programs and promotional brochures. 

• Introducing electronic tickets and access control scanning to remove the need for printed function tickets. 

• Repurposing registration kiosks and scanning equipment throughout events to maximise their use. 

• Embedding recycling into our operations, from printer cartridges to signage, so we can reduce what ends up in landfill. 

Consulting & Educating Clients 

• Encouraging generic branding on conference materials (e.g. lanyards with company or event logos rather than year-specific branding) so they can be reused. 

• Providing onsite recycling solutions, such as badge collection bins, to ensure materials are disposed of responsibly. 

• Partnering with organisers to embed sustainability into event planning from the very beginning. 

Looking ahead 

Sustainability is not a destination but an ongoing journey. For us, it’s about continually asking: How can we do this better? How can we reduce our footprint without compromising the attendee experience? 

We believe that by focusing on our corner of the event, we contribute to the bigger picture – an industry that’s innovative, impactful, and increasingly sustainable.