Green your business - save money and attract new visitors

Visitors are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their travels and are keen to see sustainable holidays, breaks and leisure experiences. Come along to this engaging workshop to explore how you can improve quality and increasing profitability through practical measures such as energy and water efficiency and waste minimisation, but also activities that enhance the guest experience, such as local and seasonal food sourcing, wonderful walks and cycles from the door, unique and memorable ethical product sourcing etc. The workshop will also cover: the value and volume of the growing sustainable tourism market; how and where to market your credentials, including social media; and what national and local green tourism schemes are available and how participation can benefit your business.

The workshops will be delivered by one of the following EQM team:

The EQM CIC team

EQM CIC Managing Director Faith Johnson has over twenty five years experience working within the environmental sector. For most of this, she has worked with and supported SMEs and micro businesses to improve their environmental sustainability though delivering the EQM award schemes, which has included environmental auditing, one to one advice and support and also a range of environmental business improvement workshops. She has been delivering environmental support for the visitor economy sector since 2004 and her work has been shortlisted for and commended by Business Commitment to the Environment, The Responsible Tourism Awards and The Observer Ethical Awards during this period. She is a Practitioner member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), and is qualified as Carbon Literate.

After a corporate career, Emily Whitehead set up her first eco business nearly 20 years ago and sustainable business has been at the heart of her work ever since. Emily is a qualified business coach and mentor as well as trainer and consultant working with businesses of all sizes around the UK on their sustainability journey and brand purpose. Emily is an assessor for the EQM scheme as well as supporting with some of the training and business support aspects of the scheme. Emily has also undertaken multiple projects at a variety of universities over recent years delivering training, coaching & mentoring to businesses who are building new sustainability strategies and implementing sustainable leadership to reach their net zero goals. Emily is also focussed on helping businesses to communicate effectively both internally and through marketing. Emily is enthusiastic and passionate about enabling businesses to realise and deliver their purpose focussed goals and is able to facilitate groups to travel from ideas to strategy.

An associate member of the IEMA and Carbon Literate qualified, Steph Mullen is a sustainability consultant, helping businesses to improve their impact on the planet and people. She undertakes EQM award holder assessments and monitoring, as well as a range of consultancy projects for the EQM, including workshop delivery. With over 10 years' experience in marketing and communication, and a degree in design, she is well equipped to help businesses improve their brand perception and engage stakeholders. Steph is passionate about protecting and restoring natural habitats, and encouraging others to make changes that benefit the environment. Alongside her EQM work, is a director of Sheffield-based social enterprise, Kids Plant Trees, which works to give children better access to wild spaces and develop a life-long love for nature. Throughout her career, Steph has developed outstanding communication and organisational skills. She builds good working relationships through a positive, collaborative approach.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is delivered by East Midlands Chamber. To be eligible to attend this event you must be a business based in one of the following districts: Amber Valley; Ashfield; Bassetlaw; Broxtowe; Chesterfield; Derby; Derbyshire Dales; Erewash; Gedling; High Peak; Leicester City; Mansfield; Newark & Sherwood; North East Derbyshire; Nottingham; Rushcliffe; or South Derbyshire.

Host or Publisher Accelerator