Friday Buzz: The Costs of Sustainability

There’s a big leap between intending to go green and actually carrying it out.

No worries, though: Shawna McKinley, Event Manager Blog contributor and sustainability specialist, has a guide on how to keep your green event  (opens in a new tab) in the black.

Many methods of maximizing an event’s sustainability are pricey, and not all are created equal.

“Buyer beware: While some green event fees are valid, some are based on unsubstantiated claims that are not always true,” McKinley writes. “So always ask for proof of value before you pay a green up-charge. Be aware that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has guidelines for green product marketing, and the burden is on your vendor to provide evidence of sustainability claims.”

For a look at the FTC’s green guidelines, click here.  (opens in a new tab)

McKinley also advises that you carefully choose green investments that make sense for your association. Does offsetting carbon pollution concern members more than, say, acquiring sustainable food from local businesses? When budgets aren’t flush with cash, it’s impossible to go totally green, so go with what best aligns with your organization’s principles.

For McKinley’s whole run-through, read her post at Event Manager Blog, or go to her own blog, Eventcellany  (opens in a new tab).

Hashtag of the day

Here are yesterday’s slides to Tech Tips to Boost Office Productivity http://t.co/BCBlqFBqHE  (opens in a new tab) #fsae14  (opens in a new tab) @adriennebryant  (opens in a new tab)

— John Chen (@johnYSchen) July 10, 2014  (opens in a new tab)

For its annual conference, the Florida Society of Association Executives  (opens in a new tab) has built a conversation around the hashtag #fsae14. Today marks the final day of the conference, but you can still keep tabs on updates from the event  (opens in a new tab). (ht @johnYSchen)

More Good Reads

It’s a tough topic to talk about, but many people lose a job at one point or another during their careers. The first step in rebounding is to make a graceful exit, and Popforms‘ Kate Stull has some tips on how to do exactly that  (opens in a new tab).

It’s not too early to think about the spirits available in Nashville, the host city of this year’s ASAE Annual Meeting. Association expert Deirdre Reid has an early tour  (opens in a new tab) of the bars and distilleries to occupy your spare time during your visit.

“When you know what you want, it becomes easier to recognize opportunities when they show up in your life.” Rosetta Thurman, founder and blogger of Happy Black Woman, has some spot-on advice for achieving the goals  (opens in a new tab) you’re really aiming for.

(Floris Oosterveld/Flickr)