From high-energy lighting rigs and single-use battery consumption to disposable branding materials and redundant hardware, large-scale event production requires a massive amount of power and equipment.
Integrating sustainable practices into your technical and production workflow allows you to deliver high-impact, technologically advanced events while significantly minimizing technical waste. Here is a guide on how to build an eco-friendly tech setup for your next major event.
1. Transition to Low-Energy, High-Efficiency Stage Lighting
Traditional halogen and tungsten stage lighting generate tremendous amounts of heat and draw massive amounts of electricity, requiring heavy generators or excessive grid power.
- Adopt Solid-State LED Fixtures: Modern LED moving heads, washes, and profile fixtures consume up to 75–80% less power than traditional bulbs while offering a wider spectrum of dynamic colors.
- Smart Power Distribution: Use smart power setups that allow technicians to power down non-essential lighting zones during breaks or setup days, eliminating passive power draw.
- Reduce Heat Load: Because LED lights emit minimal heat, the venue’s air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard, further slashing total energy usage.
2. Eliminate Single-Use Batteries in Wireless Audio Systems
Large conferences and multi-stage summits rely heavily on wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, and communication beltpacks. Traditionally, this meant going through hundreds of disposable AA batteries over a multi-day event.
- Switch to Professional Rechargeable Systems: Modern venue-grade wireless audio systems (such as those from Shure or Sennheiser) feature high-density lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs with precise run-time monitoring.
- Implement Centralized Charging Dock Stations: Setting up organized charging racks backstage ensures every microphone or beltpack starts the day fully charged, completely eliminating alkaline battery waste.
3. Replace Printed Backdrop Materials with Dynamic LED Screens
One of the largest sources of physical waste at large events is temporary staging backdrop banners, foam-board signage, and single-use vinyl wraps that go straight to the landfill after closing remarks.
- Modular LED Video Walls: High-resolution LED screens serve as reusable, dynamic canvases. A single stage setup can instantly switch visual themes, sponsor logos, and presentation backdrops for multiple sessions throughout the day.
- Digital Directional Signage: Replace printed foam-board agendas and directional signs with interactive digital kiosks or repurposed TV displays. Updates to timelines or room assignments can be made instantly in real time without reprinting costs or waste.
4. Optimize On-Site Power Generation & Distribution
Running high-powered audio-visual setups often requires supplemental generator power, especially for large outdoor venues or temporary structures.
- Hybrid & Stage-Grade Solar Generators: Incorporating hybrid battery-generator systems reduces fuel consumption by running on stored battery power during low-draw periods (like setup, rehearsals, or breaks) and only engaging the engine during peak production hours.
- Power Factor Correction (PFC): Work with experienced AV engineers who utilize PFC-enabled amplifiers and power distribution units. This ensures electrical current is drawn efficiently, preventing power loss and reducing generator load.
5. Embrace Cloud-Based Digital Event Collateral
Distributing physical marketing materials, printed agendas, and heavy paper attendee binders creates unnecessary waste and increases freight transportation emissions.
- Centralized Event Apps & Web Portals: Provide attendees with a comprehensive web portal or mobile app for session schedules, speaker bios, slide downloads, and interactive venue maps.
- Digital QR Content Hubs: Place simple QR codes on digital screens or reusable display stands, allowing attendees to instantly save presentation decks, whitepapers, and promotional materials to their personal devices.
Sustainable Event Production Best Practices
- Partner with Local AV Vendors: Sourcing equipment locally reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance freight shipping and logistics.
- Prioritize Modular Equipment Rigs: Renting modular, standardized AV trussing and stage decks ensures equipment is continually reused across hundreds of events rather than custom-built and discarded.
- Conduct Post-Event Tech Audits: Track energy usage and equipment lifecycle data after each event to identify areas where power efficiency and waste reduction can be further improved for future productions.
By combining smart equipment choices with modern digital solutions, event organizers can significantly reduce technical waste, lower overall power consumption, and set a higher standard for sustainable event production.
