Our steps toward becoming the most sustainable venue in the Netherlands

Development of a sustainability label

To provide clients with insights into the sustainability of their event, we are currently developing a sustainability label. This is based, in part, on our actions as a venue. In this article, we already provide a few examples. Additionally, the choices that clients make for their event play a crucial role. How do your guests travel to the event? Do you serve meat or not? Do you use reusable materials? These choices contribute to a sustainability score.

We also offer various options to make the event even more sustainable if desired. For example, reducing no-shows, encouraging guests to travel by public transport, or using recycled PET bottle flags without a year indication so they can be reused. We also identify choices that make the event less sustainable.

Recycling materials and circular construction

The damage from the fire was enormous, with 90 percent of our building lost. However, this was not due to direct fire damage but to water and smoke damage. Because the fire only occurred in the Event Hall and did not spread further, we were able to recycle or reuse all materials circularly. First, we stripped the entire location and separated materials unsuitable for reuse for recycling. This was done down to the smallest details: cables with cables, screws with screws, plastic with plastic, and so on.

Materials suitable for reuse were carefully dismantled and cleaned for circular use in the new construction. This has already been done for a significant part. For example, wood from our storage, insulation material from our scullery, and steel from the Event Hall have been reused in the new service corridors. The toilet groups from the ground floor were dismantled and are being reused in the new toilets. These are just a few examples from the extensive list we have maintained. By using materials circularly, we extend their lifespan and avoid unnecessary production of new materials.

A roof full of solar panels

Since 2019, we have been a gas-free location. With a roof full of solar panels, we aim to further reduce the use of fossil energy. This significantly reduces the CO2 emissions of events as almost all events take place during the day. The sun also plays an essential role in heating our building. With our new glass facade, we create natural heating.

Since the highest yield from solar panels is achieved between May and September, we are also exploring other forms of renewable energy. During the summer, our low season, we facilitate fewer business meetings just when the sun shines the longest in July and August. To use sustainable energy even during our peak months, we are investigating the possibilities of a wind turbine. This form of energy generation has a 90 percent yield annually because it is almost always windy in the Netherlands.

Follow the crowd climate system

In addition to naturally heating our venue with the glass facade, we also provide sustainable cooling, ventilation, and heating through our custom-designed ‘Follow the Crowd’ climate system. By moving warm or cool air to the areas where guests are currently located, we save 70 percent of our energy needs.

The air handling system travels with the guests, hence the name ‘Follow the Crowd’. This prevents unnecessary use of air conditioning or heating in unused spaces. For example, in an entry area and the plenary hall, guests are usually only in one of these spaces at a time. Where previously both areas were heated or cooled simultaneously, our new system makes this unnecessary. Additionally, the climate system ensures fresh outdoor air is brought in and indoor air is exhausted, maintaining an optimal CO2 level in our spaces.

LED lighting and screens

Our entire venue will be equipped with sustainable LED lighting and screens. There were already about 60 screens in our building, but we are now installing LED screens in areas that previously used other branding elements. LEDs use significantly less energy and have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs or older television screens. The existing LED lighting and screens provide a sustainable form of branding. For example, a room can be lit in the exact house style color of an event with LED lighting. The screens eliminate the need for single-use banners, making branding more sustainable. Soon, you can transform our venue into an event space that fully reflects your brand’s identity in no time.

From no-waste to a vegetarian offering

In the realm of food and drinks, we’ve gone back to the sustainable drawing board. Although we already did a lot to reduce our ecological footprint, being gas-free means our kitchen has been cooking entirely electrically for some time. We serve food and drinks exclusively on porcelain or sustainable disposables made from palm leaf, cornstarch, or PLA coating instead of plastic. We follow a no-waste principle and always present a seasonal culinary menu. This not only tastes great but is also less harmful to the environment. Our kitchen often uses organic and fair-trade products, and the meat, fish, and vegetables always come with a certification.

We will continue doing these things, but we are taking it a step further. Our standard culinary offering will consist of 80 percent vegetarian or vegan dishes. This shifts the demand for sustainable catering; you no longer need to ask for a more sustainable option, as we will already be serving it. If you, as a client, still want more meat or fish, this is certainly possible. We will serve the most sustainable and delicious options at an additional cost.

Water stations

Water stations will be set up at various points in our venue and in every hospitality area. This ensures fewer plastic bottles are used, as almost everyone has a reusable water bottle at home that they bring to work. So why not bring it to the event venue? This also offers an opportunity for clients to distribute branded water bottles to guests or to remind guests to bring their own bottles in advance.

Additionally, we will serve fewer soft drinks. Instead, we will offer various flavored waters and organic syrups that can be mixed with still or sparkling water. This reduces transport, packaging material, waste, and electricity consumption since coolers don’t need to be filled.

Organizing events as sustainably as possible

It’s an undisputed fact that the events industry must become more sustainable to have a positive impact on the climate. When you bring thousands of people together, ensuring sustainability throughout the entire chain is a challenge. As an event venue, we want to take the lead in this. There is still a long way to go before the industry is climate positive, but with our renovated venue, we are confident that we can organize events as sustainably as possible!