Over the course of the CN 30underThirty programme, Conference News will be speaking to members of the programme about their professional journey and the causes they’re championing to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry.
This week, we meet Chloe Davies, senior events officer at the Soil Association. In this interview she talks about her passion for intergrating sustainability into events.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
I love bringing people together and telling stories. Growing up in rural Devon, I saw a community of people growing food naturally, making products locally and businesses doing good. I wanted to celebrate these practices and communities and share their story with as many people as possible.
Today, as part of the UK’s leading organic certifier, I pride myself on creating events that unite farmers, brands, businesses and changemakers to champion a future where business works for the benefit of wildlife, people and the planet. I have the opportunity to share their stories – why they choose to farm organically and the journey behind their businesses, which is what I find most inspiring and truly brings the mission to life.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
Of course, my most recent highlight is winning the CN 30UnderThirty!
But I would say that recently leading the development of a first-of-its-kind Scottish Organic Gathering has been a highlight. It was the first time leading a solo event of this size and gave me a lot of confidence in what I’m capable of. We united 120+ farmers, stakeholders and policymakers to explore opportunities in organic, launching the Scottish Organic Action Plan which will hopefully influence similar policy development in England. It’s really satisfying seeing something tangible happen through the events I have been part of.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?
I have learned that I thrive working with variety, I love trying new things and problem solving. Never quite knowing what is coming next excites me – which is lucky really working in events! I have also learned how to harness my calm, collaborative leadership which helps me turn challenges into opportunities.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
Be more confident and ask more questions – it’s how you learn.
How important are schemes such as the CN 30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?
Really important! I believe in the power of a strong event sector community, one that prioritises collaboration, creativity and wellbeing. Support mechanisms like the CN 30underThirty are vital in helping the industry, especially young people in the industry, as it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
Through attending and engaging with industry events and networking opportunities you can learn so much from others in the sector.
How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?
I think the event industry is already doing lots to tackle challenges such as sustainability and inclusivity, and I hope to see that continue and become more embedded as not only best practice, but the new standard, over the next 5 years.
I want to be able to collaborate with others to develop sector-wide sustainability guidelines and goals, so being part of a movement embedding sustainability into events would be really exciting for me.
What is an issue or topic within the industry that you think is important and want to champion? Can you explain a bit about it?
The challenge I am most passionate about championing is integrating sustainability in every stage of event delivery. My commitment to this challenge is reflected in each event I organise, as well as my work delivering internal training and it’s also what I would like to bring to the CN 30underThirty network.
I am particularly inspired by behaviour change and how event professionals can influence how people think, act and feel – often in ways that continue even after the event. Sustainability can be inter-woven into so many decisions and can create emotional responses, food and branding for example are both very powerful storytelling tools – especially when it comes to sustainability.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
Sustainability is crucial — we need to look after each other and the planet for the sake of current and future generations. With the scale of global challenges we face, practicing sustainable solutions is my way of contributing to positive change. It’s particularly important in events because they bring people together, and gatherings will always be part of how we connect. That’s why events and sustainability must go hand in hand.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion the topic?
Alongside continually improving our own events, the priority for our events team is to publish internal Sustainable Event Management guidelines and launch a training plan including workshops and digital resources to embed sustainable practices across all teams within the organisation. This initiative will not only raise awareness but create a culture where sustainability is second nature, paving the way for our future goals.
As an organisation, we support businesses through sustainable certification schemes, so it’s essential that we lead by example in the events we deliver.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
I think everyone can play a part in integrating sustainability into event planning, getting sustainability on conference agendas, speaking about it internally and sharing stories externally, supporting sustainable solutions within event budgets and celebrating and encouraging when people try something out.
What excites me the most is that by embedding sustainability in events, the industry can be a catalyst for change across other industries too.