Sustainability in Events: What Works, What's Next — and How Small Agencies Can Lead.
LORE convenes industry leaders to chart the path forward.
At LORE, we believe sustainability is not a trend — it's a responsibility. And it's one we are committed to advancing, not only in our own work but also across the wider events community.
That's why we were proud to host the 3rd roundtable with SustainEvents Hong Kong in April 2026, convening three remarkable voices in the Hong Kong events industry:
Amy So, Program Director, Asia Sustainability, Informa Markets Asia Ltd
Vivien Tang, General Manager, AMC (Exhibits) Ltd
Yedda Tsang, Senior Event Manager, AMC (Exhibits) Ltd
Together, we explored one question: What can small agencies borrow, adapt and apply in event sustainability tomorrow?
Frameworks work — start with what exists
As a global exhibitions leader, Informa has demonstrated that structured sustainability can work at scale. Its FasterForward programme, launched in 2018, has embedded environmental, social and governance criteria into every event through a fundamentals reporting system that scores performance across multiple dimensions.
The message for smaller agencies is simple: you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Start by learning from existing frameworks and use them to review your own footprint and priorities.
Materials matter — but so does creativity.
Honeycomb boards (FSC-certified), fabric backdrops and water-based paints are already reducing waste across exhibitions and events. But material constraints — such as panel joints or load-bearing requirements — can require design adjustments.
The solution is early designer engagement and transparent client communication. Sustainability must be a design parameter from day one, not an add-on at the final stage. Innovation in materials is accelerating, but there is still work to be done to make sustainable options both aesthetically strong and cost-competitive.
Cost remains king — but education changes minds.
Brands and exhibitors continue to prioritise cost and visual impact. Yet when sustainable options match budget and branding, adoption rises quickly. Sales incentives, leadership commitment and clear reporting help clients justify greener choices internally and build stronger business cases for change.
Measurement drives momentum
From recycling weights to carbon-footprint estimates, measurement turns good intentions into real progress. It motivates teams, supports decision-making and builds evidence for repeat investment. Even simple tracking is better than none — the key is to start, be consistent and learn over time.
Hong Kong can lead — but collaboration is key
Compared with Singapore and parts of Europe, Hong Kong venues still lag on waste reporting and recycling infrastructure. Yet this gap is also an opportunity. New developments, more ambitious venue partners and collective industry action can shift the baseline.
Initiatives like SustainEvents Hong Kong' shared library of sustainable materials and solutions can help raise standards and make it easier for agencies, organisers and suppliers to act together.
Our takeaway
Sustainability in events is a long-term journey — not a checklist. It balances cost, creativity, measurement and collaboration.
At LORE, like the members of SustainEvents, we are committed to staying at the frontier of sustainable event design. We care because our industry's future depends on it — and because we believe memorable experiences should never come at the planet's expense.
We invite you to borrow, adapt and apply these insights in your own practice – starting tomorrow.
♻️ Ready to make your next event more sustainable? Let's talk.
Remarks: SustainEvents Hong Kong is a platform that connects agencies and vendors to share resources and inspire each other to deliver events more sustainably. The platform has been built through brainstorming, research, and aligning with frameworks like Ecovadis. Recently, SustainEvents held its first roundtable at Soho House Hong Kong, discussing the sustainability journey and progress. The platform supports various events, including High-end ones focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling, and reducing waste
