The 2023 Australian Podiatry Conference is carrying out a range of sustainable practices to minimise its environmental footprint in the following ways.
Gone are the days of conference attendees sipping from single use cups and wading through reams of paper and other printed materials. Thank goodness for that.
So, what is the Australian Podiatry Association doing to support our environment at this year’s conference?
One initiative is to steer clear of paper-based materials. Electronic signage will replace hard copy posters where possible, and instead of printing traditional brochures, conference materials will be distributed through APodA’s conference delegate app. This app will also replace a paper conference programme.
Nametags are set to also get an update in the name of sustainability. They will be made from more sustainable resources, and the plastic holder will no longer feature; to further reduce the environmental impact.
By switching to these digital platforms, delegates have new opportunities to interact with presenters in more meaningful ways; with live polling and Q&A opportunities available through the app. This ups the ante on opportunities to interact – not only face to face, but also virtually in a way that works for you and your schedule.
Conference logistics are also locally-based this year, to reduce mileage, minimise carbon emissions and mitigate related environmental impacts. This approach extends to supplier choices who are all local where possible. Not only that, but all conference equipment will be also hired locally to encourage re-use.
Feeling hungry? This year’s conference will feature a meat-free catering day to help cut down on the emission of greenhouse gases. Our local caterers – BCEC – source sustainable, local, and ethical produce. As an official #eatqld partner, they are passionate about promoting local and sustainable produce.
In fact, BCEC’s sustainable practices include running an organic food waste dehydrator that turns 54,000kg of food waste into 20kg of SoilFood™, a nutrient-rich, safe-to-handle soil enhancer. Best of all, this is donated to the City Parklands Services in Brisbane to be used in the South Bank and Roma Street Parklands. They also have a 764-panel 309.42 kilowatt solar system on their Grey Street building, generating 40% of Grey Street building’s power and 18% of the entire Centre’s power requirements. Pretty impressive – and a great example of how supplier choices can really make a difference to the environment.
Last but not least, exhibitor stands will be more environmentally-friendly than ever before. Our supplier, Outstanding Displays, is equally proud to be ‘green’ and one way they honour this approach is through the ‘Trees for Displays’ initiative. For every exhibition booth and custom stand that they build, Outstanding Displays will plant one tree. Kudos to yet another awesome supplier at this year’s conference.
Together, we can build a better, more sustainable future for us all. Every bit counts between June 22 to 24, see you there! Head here to register – and don’t forget that early bird prices close on April 21!
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