Event Details

Join us for a foundational webinar tailored for professionals in the events industry seeking to align their practices with environmental sustainability. As the heartbeat of any event, technology solutions have a unique position to influence the eco-friendliness of the industry. This session aims to demystify the intersection of technology and sustainable event planning, providing a practical guide to selecting and utilizing equipment and technologies that minimize environmental impact. Learn about energy-efficient audiovisual technologies, sustainable event production strategies, and how to leverage innovation for greener events. By focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities within the events industry, participants will gain insights into making conscientious choices that contribute to the sustainability of their events.

Join the May Power Hour to learn how to:

• Understand the Role of Technology in Sustainable Events: Recognize the impact of technology selections on the overall environmental footprint of events and why prioritizing eco-friendly solutions is crucial for the industry's sustainable evolution.
• Identify Eco-friendly Technologies and Practices: Learn about the latest in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable operational practices, including how to choose and implement them to reduce power consumption and waste in events.
• Initiate Sustainable Planning: Begin to integrate sustainability into your planning processes, from selecting vendors who share a commitment to the environment to understanding how to communicate the value of eco-friendly choices to clients and stakeholders.
  

Speakers:

Robert Bartolucci 
Director of Environmental, Social and Governance
The Opus Group

• Robert brings nearly a decade of experience in sustainable business design, impact measurement, and supply chain engagement, with his work resulting in tangible solutions for a more sustainably prosperous society.
• At the core, he is a storyteller, with an ability to synthesize complex data and direct strategic, relevant decision-making.
• He is also a global thinker, having gained sustainability project experience across several regions throughout the United States, Europe, Southern Asia, and Latin America.
• Robert began his career in the built environment sector, helping clients understand and identify opportunities to infuse clean technology into their building assets, before eventually establishing himself as an all-around sustainability and social impact consulting expert.
• Since then, he has helped companies across a variety of industries measure, reduce, and report on their impact.
• Today, he leads ESG for an events organization, focused on not only making the events more sustainable and inclusive, but also to educate and inform the millions of attendees who touch these experiences every year.
• Previously, Robert served as a fellow for both the Environmental Defense Fund and Climatebase.
• He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from the University of Pittsburgh, and his MBA in Sustainability from Presidio Graduate School.

Carina Jandt
Director and Founder
Event Cycle  

• Working with high profile clients at companies such as the experiential marketing agency GPJ, Carina was able to witness first-hand the growing desire for her clients to become more sustainable.
• On the flip side, over the 10 years as a technical production manager, she would also see all the items that were sent into skips and off to landfill.
• Over the years of volunteering, she quickly noticed the increasing demand for donations with charities and felt that there was a need to combine the two.
• Her venture Event Cycle does just that - helping the event industry implement practical solutions to sustainability challenges while creating a positive social impact and a lasting legacy.
• She hopes to be able to support the events industry in the transition into a more circular economy and to help those most in need in the process. 

Melissa Mahon
Executive Vice President of Business and Operations
MAS  

• Melissa Mahon is the Executive Vice President of Operations for MAS Event + Design voted among the 100 most influential people in the event industry by EVENTEX and honored on the Smart Women in Leadership by Smart Meetings.
• Her masterful, big thinking approach and empathic leadership has helped grow MAS from a 14-person agency to a 70+ organization, with an expansion into EMEA, and diversification of services from creative production to strategy, show running and content development.
• Melissa has spearheaded award-winning events such as the Google Home Mini Donut Shop, Google Mini Golf, Google Hardware, YouTube Creator Summit, Facebook National Lands in TQ, Softbank Women's Summit, Unilever Personal Care Long and Short Lead Press Events, Forbes CEO Virtual Summits, and many more.
• Queen of multi-tasking, if you work for Melissa, you know that she thrives on adrenaline, but also takes the time to be a calm and thoughtful listener.
• Trusted by clients, staff, and partners to provide insight, solutions, and results.

Mendel Rosenberg
Founder and CEO
Geersupply  

• In 2017, Mendel Rosenberg entered the event production industry, utilizing his e-commerce expertise to address the surplus of used gear in production companies.
• Recognizing the market gap, Mendel founded Soundsupply (now Gearsupply) to address the industry's need for a streamlined solution.
• Soundsupply quickly emerged as a leader, offering production companies a convenient avenue to offload used gear.
• Mendel launched a successful trade-in program, allowing manufacturers to leverage their clients' equity in old gear towards credit on new purchases.
• By 2020, Soundsupply became Gearsupply and had become the largest purchasers of used concert equipment in North America. 
• Mendel launched Gearsupply.com in 2021, revolutionizing the way the industry buys and sells their used gear.
• In recent years, Mendel has solidified strategic partnerships, notably with industry leader L-Acoustics, highlighting his significant role in the AV industry.
• Recognized by EU's LSi magazine and invited as a panel speaker at InfoComm, Mendel continues to shape the conversation surrounding used gear sales, cementing his reputation as a pioneering figure in the AVL industry.

Eric Wallinger
Director of Sustainability
MetGreen  

• Eric is the Director of Sustainability at MeetGreen where his focus on resources and the environment is complemented by 20 years of experience in event & conference planning and delivery.
• His areas of expertise include sustainability assessment initiatives, process improvement strategies, stakeholder engagement, carbon accounting, waste management, and data analysis.
• With an interest in the built environment, Eric has managed numerous capital improvement projects for commercial buildings and became a LEED accredited professional in 2010.
• His work with MeetGreen allows him to work closely with destination, supplier, and planner teams from around the world to integrate sustainable practices into their events and organizations.

Moderator:

Samantha Powell
Manager, Industry Advocacy
AVIXA

• Samantha Powell serves as the Manager of Industry Advocacy on the Content Creation Team at AVIXA.
• She is responsible for working with Pro-AV and IT subject matter experts to create InfoComm education sessions, webinars, podcasts, and DEI content for AVIXA’s various channels.
• She also cultivates relationships with valued strategic partners and serves as a host on AVIXA TV, which is the premier video destination for the AV industry, attracting integrators, IT managers, end users, and key decision-makers worldwide.
• Samantha’s role helps AVIXA realize its strategic goal of serving as the catalyst for growth and the information hub for the pro-AV and IT industry.