Sponsored Feature | Ignitemag.ca | 55 Creative, Practical Solutions Sustainability was woven into the Summit’s every detail: • Menus featured vegetarian and vegan options, like crowd-favourite vegan fried chicken, that earned praise while cutting emissions. • Attendees were kept informed about the impact of their choices, including why beef-free meals reduce carbon footprints. • Attendees were invited to scrape leftover food from their own plates into green bins to promote visible, participatory waste sorting. • Fill It Forward, a certifi ed B Corp, provided reusable water bottles; each refi ll triggered a $2 donation to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, raising over $500. • Canadian pennies were used instead of traditional paper drink tickets during the welcome reception. “Before making any decision, we always asked ‘Is this the most sustainable option?’ With that question top-of-mind, everything just became easier,” says Vivian Vargas, Sales Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Kitchener. Social Sustainability: Giving Back to the Community While the environmental impact was closely measured, CSAE didn’t lose sight of social sustainability. During the host reception at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, attendees took part in a hands-on activity led by local social enterprise WholeHearted. Together, they packed over 200 snack kits for Food4Kids Waterloo Region, using Canadian-made products and sustainable tote bags. “This was a very simple activity and it tied back to Explore Waterloo Region’s sustainability priorities,” says WholeHearted founder Catherine McGuire. “Giving people the opportunity to do something hands-on really shows them that they have the power to make an impact.” Progress Over Perfection Although the goal initially felt daunting, early planning and expert guidance transformed challenges into opportunities for empowerment. “Carbon neutral doesn’t mean perfect,” says Jennifer Eddings, Director of Business Development at EWR. “You just need to take action you can measure. And as long as you’re learning, you’re moving forward.” Jennifer Eddings Director of Business Development Explore Waterloo Region 519-590-8126 [email protected] explorewaterloo.ca Scan the QR code to read a full interview with CSAE’s Carrie Fischer. 45 Attendees packed snack bags for Food4Kids CSAE's Summer Summit 2025 achieved carbon neutrality through the collective efforts of CSAE, Explore Waterloo Region and its trusted partners. It now stands as a powerful example of environmental and social responsibility in action. Ready to Plan Your Own Carbon-Neutral Event? Contact us to learn how intentional planning can lead to planet-friendly results.
