PPAI Events Certified As Carbon Neutral PPAI has teamed up with Climate Impact Partners to gather and verify the data necessary to offset the carbon footprint of three signature Association events in 2023 – the North American Leadership Conference, Women’s Leadership Conference and Product Responsibility Summit – with the help of sponsorship from 4imprint – the No. 1-ranked distributor in the 2024 PPAI 100, which earned a high mark in Responsibility. “As PPAI continues to provide education and resources to members to help them in their sustainability journeys, it’s important that we share ours as well,” says Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility. “Moving our industry towards a more sustainable future involves learning from each other and leading by example, and I hope that this helps encourage others to consider the environmental impact of their inperson events.” The Associations’ carbon impact report analyzes data for all three events and illustrates a detailed breakdown of how much greenhouse gas emissions each one creates. As is often the case with events that bring people in from all over the country and world, guest travel by plane was the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at nearly 81% overall. The total calculated amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of all three events was determined to be 230.8 tCO2e, which translates to 231 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, the standard measurement of all greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential. Wimbush was tasked with selecting the project that PPAI would contribute to in order to reduce and offset its carbon emissions. Ultimately, the Association chose the Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone after consideration of its impact potential and sustainable development goals. PPAI’s contribution to this emissions reduction program was made in advance. PPAI chose to be overly cautious and paid to offset 439 tons of CO2e, easily covering the 231 tons that were actually produced by the events. Community | Inside PPAI way it has been organized has been so inspiring.” The event was held at the Hutton Hotel, which includes a vinyl library and an adjacent venue for live music. “The opportunity to celebrate both the shared and unique experiences of the women in this industry is invaluable,” says Chanel Proell, corporate marketing manager at OrderMyGear and a member of the WLC workgroup. “Every time I come back from WLC I feel so inspired and grateful by connections I’ve made and the things I have learned.” Cheron Coleman, vice president private brand product development and global supply chain at alphabroder and chair of the WLC workgroup says that the experience equips attendees with more than just knowledge. “Beyond professional development, WLC fosters personal growth, instilling confidence, resilience and purposes,” Coleman says. “Attendees are guaranteed to leave WLC energized, inspired and driven.” Fahroni / Shutterstock.com 100 • SEPTEMBER 2024 • PPAI
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzU4OQ==