
Planners For The Planet
By The Sustainable Events Forum
They will also be interviewing experts and amateur practitioners in the fields of sustainability, in order to bring you the smartest, most effective sustainability practices for your events.
Connect with us on social media and join the conversation @thesustainableeventsforum

Planners For The PlanetJun 15, 2020

Episode 27: Amy Robinson, Food Procurement Manager at Second Harvest
Candice and Amy discuss the highlights of Second Harvest's latest report on food waste - Wasted Opportunity and what it means for venues and hotels. You can download this report which is chuck full of some jaw dropping stats that will move you to action asap, here
Here's some other things they covered in this chat you won't want to miss:
You can connect with Amy on LinkedIn here, she's happy to answer all your questions on food waste and recovery.
Learn more about Second Harvest's no waste, no hunger mission by visiting their website

Dr. Jessica Blythe, Assistant Professor, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock University
We are so grateful that someone this fun, this informative and who cares this much, is working on the climate emergency. This interview covers a lot – from climate anxiety to stories of how current climate disasters are affecting real people around the globe. A few heart breaking stories, some laughs and a dance party. Join us for the fun and stay for the climate facts.

Episode 25: Linsay Moran, Co-founder of Unwrapit
Candice and Linsay chat about Unwrapit- a sustainable corporate gifting company who believes that giving gifts and making a positive impact can be one and the same. Lindsay explains what the certification B Corp means and why they have decided to pursue this designation. Tune in to learn about their experiential, digital and charitable gifting options!
To connect with Linsay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linsaymoran/
Unwrapit's website: https://www.unwrapit.com/

Episode 23: Melissa Deslauriers, Director of Marketing- bbBlanc
Natalie chats with one of our loyal TSEF-ers- Melissa Deslauriers. Melissa is the VP of marketing at bb Blanc and a professor of hospitality & tourism at Conestoga College. They chat about Melissa’s journey to sustainability and what needs to happen in our industry to move the needle on sustainability.
Tune in and drop us your comments if this episode resonates with you!

Episode 22: Matt Esper, ESG Advisor & Consultant, RHT Advisory Inc.
We had the opportunity to chat with Matt Esper of RHT Advisory group Inc.
Matt chatted with us about how he got started in the field of sustainability and his a-ha story that gave us good bumps.
Are we in or near the tipping point in our industry when it comes to sustainability?
What is regenerative travel & tourism and how can we contribute to this?
Tune in to hear our thoughts.
You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-esper/
*since this interview Matt has accepted a new role at MGM Resorts International as their Manager of Sustainability Date & Reporting

Episode 24: Jennifer Eddings, Director of Sales at Explore Waterloo Region
Jennifer & Natalie chat about the CanSPEP National Conference and how they are working to make it a carbon neutral event!
You can learn more about Explore Waterloo Region here: https://explorewaterloo.ca/

SITE Canada: Liz Atkey & Liz Holtby- Part 2
We continue our conversation with SITE Canada on this episode and delve right into some actionable steps our industry can take now to host and produce responsible events. Tune in and be sure to let us know your thoughts.

Episode 21: SITE Canada & Sustainability, with Liz Holtby & Liz Akey: Part 1
We haven't chatted a ton about incentive travel at TSEF, but it's no doubt it's going to come under scrutiny as companies pledge carbon neutrality. Today we are joined by Liz Holtby, the Chair of the SITE Canada Sustainability Committee and incoming President of Site Canada and Liz Akey, a long time SITE member and enthusiastic learner on all things sustainable. We talk to them about their personal journeys in the first episode and in the second episode, we cover where the industry is going and where it needs to go.

Episode 20: Jeffrey Fehr, Travel Trade Specialist- Tourism Saskatoon
We had a lot of fun recording our chat with Jeffrey Fehr of Tourism Saskatoon - we learned a bunch about sustainable products in Saskatoon - and talked about the intersection of travel, business events and sustainability. Jeffrey brings a fresh, prairie perspective to sustainability and his friendly, community based solutions will inspire you!

Episode 19: Ashley Stephens- Director of Marketing & Events l Tabl'eau Filtered Water
Plastic bottles and bottled water have been a target for climate activists for many years - and Tabl'eau Filtered Water has a great solution! We chat with Ashley Stephens, Director of Marking & Events at Tabl'eau mostly about her climate journey and how she got involved in sustainable events and what she hopes for the future of climate action.

Episode 18: Nat & Candice's weekly catch up (June 25)
On this episode Candice and Natalie have a catch up and talk about interesting or cool things they discovered over the last week. From designer leather to Ironman funding climate action, we pack a lot in this episode!
Books mentioned in this episode worth checking out at your local library:
Blow Out- Rachel Maddow
Drawdown- Paul Hawken

Episode 17: Romina Kwong of Eco-Friendly Events
In this episode Candice is joined by fellow event planner Romina Kwong of Eco-Friendly Events. They chat about their biggest learning and greatest frustration working in sustainability and share their thoughts on the future of the event industry. Tune in and be sure to leave us your comments with your thoughts!
You can learn more about Romina’s company here
And connect with her on LinkedIn here

Episode 16: Candice & Nat Catch up
Every once in a while we have things to say - and this is one of those days! Just Natalie and Candice talking about what is new in sustainability, including the very bad, horrible day to be a oil company - and interesting environmental news.

Episode 15: Sonia Borkar, Sales Manager at Steam Whistle Brewing
An attendee to one of TSEFs first virtual events, Sonia Borkar was engaged, informed and supportive. We talk to Sonia about her background in events and learn a ton about the great work being done at Steam Whistle Brewing on sustainability. Drinking Steamwhistle beer in cans is definitely an earth smart move this summer!
Learn more about Steamwhistle and their green initiatives here
Connect with Sonia here

Episode 14: Catching up with Carly Silberstein, CEO at Redstone Agency
We love people who care about the environment. We love entrepreneurs. We love parents. Candice and Nat talk to one of the smartest, most humble people we know - Carly Silberstein. Despite her successes, Carly is always embracing new challenges, seeking to learn more, understand more and serve more. We talk to Carly about sustainability in business and associations and how we can all strive to do more.
Learn more about Redstone Agency Inc. here
Connect with Carly here

Episode 13: Director of Sustainability Ali Ames of Three Squares Inc.
There are a lot of people who have been working to make events sustainable for a very long time - and one of them is the incredible Ali Ames of Three Squares Inc. Ali is based out of California and has worked on some incredible projects like the Democratic National Convention, the LA Marathon and others - she is a pioneer in sustainable events. Ali shares her background and what she has learned so far (which is a lot!)
Click here to learn more about Three Squares Inc.
Connect with Ali here

Episode 12: Laura Bickle, editor of Ignite Magazine
To make an impact, you need supporters and boosters - none have been more key to the growth of TSEF than Laura Bickle, editor of Ignite Magazine. A journalist with a strong science leaning, Laura has embraced the events industry and brought clarity to many of the issues we face today. Listen as Laura gives us her take on current events, the changes facing the industry and a few reading suggestions as well.
Ignite: https://ignitemag.ca/
Connect with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bickle-494b2511/

Episode 11: Canadian Businesses for Social Responsibility- Meet Leor Rotchild
Events are driven by business - companies host events, join associations and send their employees to events and conferences. When companies make changes to their travel and event mandates, smart event people pay attention. Joining us on this podcast is our friend Leor Rotchild - who is the Executive Director of Canadian Businesses for Social Responsibility. We talk about events, sustainability and Leor suggests ways event professionals can keep up with the changes to corporate responsibility and governance and how they affect our events.
CBSR's website: https://www.cbsr.ca/

Episode 10: Meet 17 year old climate activist Cooper Price
This week Candice and I chatted with a young man who is helping to organize the Climate Live concert series across Canada. Bright, articulate and focused - Cooper Price is on a mission to get concrete action on climate promises. Listen in and we hope you are as inspired by him as we are!
Check out the amazing work Cooper and his friends do: https://www.climatelive.org/
You can connect with Cooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-price-9575b11a6/

Episode 9: Explore Edmonton's Energy
Nicola Alexander speaks to us on this podcast to talk about international events, what she is seeing from event planners and hosts and how she sells Edmonton as a sustainable destination in the heart of oil & gas country. Join us for a thought-provoking look at how the energy transition is happening in Edmonton and how this dynamic city is leading in sustainable events.
Explore Edmonton's Website: https://exploreedmonton.com/

Episode 8: Suzanne Morrell, MBA, SEP
Orange you glad we have a friend like Suzanne Morrell? haha..sorry for the puns - but not only is Suzanne a great advocate for the environment, she grew up in Florida on an orange orchard! Listen to this smart, funny meeting professional as she shares her journey to working on some of the most high-profile events in the world and her passion for food waste.

Episode 7: After the Moonshot
Bill Gates, Fat Burgs and The Jelly Bean song....huh? Tune in to find out what Natalie & Candice chatted about on this week's episode of Planner for The Planet

Episode 5: Our Top 10 for 2020
Have a listen to Natalie & Candice's top 10 take aways from 2020. Head on over to our blog page for a summary of their list!

Episode 6: TSEF CAN- Meet our Moonshot Teams!
Can events be carbon negative? Join us on February 8th to find out.
You know at TSEF we love smart people (that's why we love you!!), so we will also be bringing some smart people for us all to learn from. On this episode Natalie & Candice introduce you to the moonshot teams they have brought together.
Using Canadian destinations, suppliers and ideas -they will address a live or hybrid event and a virtual event. This is a practical look at what we can do now to reduce our event footprint!
For more details on this event please visit www.tsef.ca

Episode 4: Sharpen The Saw
Stephen Covey, author of the popular book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ taught us that to remain effective, you need to sharpen the saw – and Rita Plaskett is definitely effective. Despite many years as a senior level planner, she takes the time to learn and expand her skills. Listen as Rita tells us about her experience becoming more knowledgeable on sustainability and why she thinks everyone should take Nat’s course (shameless plug here! 😊)

Episode 2: Events & People that Inspire....
We so enjoyed our conversation with Landon Logie . She hasn’t been in the industry that long but her impact has been great. We chatted about the Culinary Tourism Alliance and one of our favourite events, Terroir Symposium- an event which looks at how collaboration can support stronger, sustainable, vibrant food systems across the globe
Landon's passion for sustainability and her straightforward, action oriented approach to her event management inspires us. We hope she inspires you too!

Episode 3: Waste not, Want not
Join us for a conversation with a couple of our favourite people – Kiera Toffelmire of Second Harvest and Melissa Radu of Edmonton Economic Development. Our topic? The biggest issue in sustainability and something that has come to the forefront of the news – our food system. We learned a lot and hope you enjoy the conversation!

Episode 1: The Plastic Problem
Join us as we chat with special guest Ashely Wallis, Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence. Ashley shares some great information on plastic waste in Canada, explains the differences between recyclable, compostable and bio degradable and highlights some great solutions we can adopt at our events and at home.