Sustainable Partners-Creating Value for Business

For every business, large or small, there is one common denominator that today takes centre stage – the role played by sustainability. Organisations around the world have come to recognise that being sustainable is intrinsic to corporate success, providing the key driver capable of delivering financial value combined with achieving social impact. The best news is that what’s good for the planet is also a fundamental business driver.

At Cook + Associates, we see the increasing impact of sustainability with every brief we receive, as the essential thread linking all aspects of corporate activity. For the event industry, sustainability initiatives have addressed everything from energy conservation and waste management to staffing, hiring, and local sourcing, with Net Zero Carbon Events playing a significant role in engineering this transition to embed sustainability principles in our industry practices and appropriately set client expectations.

We review our sustainability policy on a regular basis and are continuously looking for new avenues to improve and enhance how we can fulfil clients’ objectives. For our design and operations teams, sustainability goals are central to our approach. Our mission with each brief is to propose and provide the most sustainable options at each stage of the design and development process. Whether it’s a question of our use of sustainably sourced timber, creative and intelligent reuse or repurposing of materials, eliminating single-use plastic usage, or minimising the transportation carbon footprint through the most efficient logistics, we are determined to make a tangible difference.

For example, earlier this month our team partnered with sustainability innovators, Dassault Systémes, at Move London to deliver a new bespoke modular stand design with an emphasis on sustainability. Sourced from FSC-certified forests, the stand structure was manufactured out of FSC-certified timber – the most sustainable construction material with no added chemicals, resins or glues and using less energy to produce than other building materials like steel and aluminium due to the minimal processing required.  These FSC-certified forests are managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards, with more than 200 million hectares of forests around the world. The beauty of this timber is its local availability, lowering the stand’s overall carbon footprint whilst supporting the local economy.

“Our journey to sustainable events is continually evolving and the latest collaboration with client Dassault Systémes highlights our latest steps to shape a more sustainable event world. By embracing sustainability, we not only contribute to a greener future but also showcase our commitment to responsible practices. Together, we can create impactful experiences that not only captivate audiences but also leave a positive environmental footprint.” – Tom Hawes, Sales Director

Every component from the reception desk to the printed graphics is completely reusable and ready to be re-configured/re-purposed at all of Dassault Systemes’ upcoming shows. The artwork was printed directly onto uncoated PVC-free vinyl using an LED curing process that uses 70% less electricity compared to a standard UV printer. These PVC-free options provide the same high-quality print you’d expect but with 30% less material used to increase shelf life and eventual biodegradability.

Realising sustainability is about much more than just following guidelines – it is a thread that runs through every aspect of an organisation. If you would like to know more about our sustainability practices you can check our policy here or get in touch to find out more.