Selecting the right venue for your event is a critical decision that sets the stage for success. It’s a delicate balance of aligning location, functionality, budget, and the overall experience to ensure success. Beyond these key factors, sustainability has emerged as a critical component in venue selection – but it’s more than just ticking a few environmental boxes. True sustainability encompasses a range of considerations, from environmental impact to community investment and long-term innovation.
The venue is the foundation of any event, shaping its flow and experience. Even the best-planned event can fall short if the venue doesn’t align with the event’s goals. That’s why our team puts extensive effort into understanding your objectives and curating the perfect venue solution.
In this spotlight, we’re showcasing three venues that have impressed us with their facilities and dedicated approach to sustainability. Each venue offers something different while contributing meaningfully to a more sustainable events industry.
Melia Palma Bay | Mallorca, Spain
Earlier this year, we hosted a client event at Melia Palma Bay, and it quickly became one of our top recommendations for venues with strong sustainability initiatives. Designed by the award-winning architect Francisco Mangado, this sleek and modern venue balances form and function with impressive energy-saving features.
Why We Loved It:
- Sustainability: The venue incorporates energy-reducing technologies throughout its design without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or efficiency.
- Versatility: The expansive space can accommodate large-scale meetings, conventions, gala dinners, and award ceremonies with ease.
- Flexibility: With a variety of additional rooms for breakouts, wellness sessions, and networking, it’s a venue that adapts seamlessly to your event’s needs.
- Location: Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, it’s directly connected to the Palma Convention Centre and surrounded by fantastic dining options, even during off-peak seasons.
- Logistics: Located just 10 minutes from the airport, the venue offers excellent transport links that help reduce unnecessary travel time and carbon emissions.
- Environment & Community Commitment: Melia’s sustainability initiatives include water management, energy objectives, biodiversity conservation, and circular resource models. They also run programs supporting the employability of vulnerable communities, demonstrating a commitment to positive social impact.
Melia Palma Bay provided an outstanding experience for both our client and event team. It’s a venue we’ll recommend again, due to its exceptional approach and contribution to a more sustainable future. Read more about their sustainability work here.
Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin | Noordwijk, Netherlands
A recent site visit to the Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin in Noordwijk, just outside Amsterdam, brought this venue to our attention for an upcoming event. Its impressive sustainability credentials, combined with its beachfront location, make it a compelling choice.
Why It Stands Out:
- Setting: This large venue is perfectly situated on the Dutch coast, offering a beautiful backdrop for events just a short trip from Amsterdam.
- Personal Touch: Family-owned and operated, this hotel adds a unique, boutique-style charm to its large-scale facilities.
- Food & Beverage: On-site dining options include the Breakers Beach House and a patisserie offering handmade chocolates and pastries. Focusing on fresh, local ingredients adds a sustainable edge to the dining experience.
- Travel: The hotel’s proximity to Amsterdam’s major airport means our attendees can reach the venue without connecting flights, reducing the overall carbon footprint.
- Sustainable Development: The hotel supports projects aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an SDG fee. It’s a commitment that resonates with clients aiming to make a positive global impact.
- Social Responsibility: With 12 core sustainability objectives, the Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin covers everything from food waste management to diversity partnerships, demonstrating leadership in socially responsible entrepreneurship. Learn more about their sustainability efforts here.
The venue strikes a perfect balance between offering the functionality of a corporate event space and the personal, warm atmosphere of a family-run establishment, with clear commitments to social and environmental sustainability.
Roundhouse | London, UK
The iconic Roundhouse in Camden is a venue that delivers not just on space and flexibility but also on its strong community-focused ethos. A historic venue known for its rich musical past, the Roundhouse offers a rockstar atmosphere with a heart for social sustainability.
What Makes It Exceptional:
- Size: With a capacity of 1,800 (850 seated), this venue is surprisingly large for a central London location, making it ideal for corporate gala dinners, award ceremonies, and product launches.
- Flexibility: The circular design of the main space allows for full customisation, enabling brands to create immersive and memorable experiences.
- Community Impact: The Roundhouse’s commitment to supporting young creatives through its youth programmes and creative development initiatives is inspiring. The venue’s revenues support opportunities for the next generation of artists and entrepreneurs, breaking down barriers to entry into the creative industries.
Sustainability at the Roundhouse goes beyond environmental impact. Their investment in community, diversity, and the future workforce is a testament to their broader commitment to social responsibility.
Why Sustainability Matters in Venue Selection
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a vital consideration in today’s events industry. Beyond the environmental impact, a truly sustainable venue demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility, community development, and long-term growth.
These three venues showcase that sustainability in events can take many forms—whether through reducing energy consumption, managing food waste, or investing in future generations. Choosing a venue that aligns with your brand’s values not only enhances the event experience but also reinforces your commitment to a sustainable future.
Let’s Plan Your Next Sustainable Event
At Primary, we understand that finding the right venue is just one piece of the puzzle. Our comprehensive event planning services ensure every detail is tailored to your brand and objectives while prioritising sustainability. Together, we can create an unforgettable event that not only delivers results but also leaves a positive impact.
Ready to get started? Contact us to begin planning your next live event.