GUEST BLOG by Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP

In the last couple of years I have watched as Simply Mumtaz has grown more prominent in our market. The event experiences produced by the company's owner, Joella Hopkins, all have a wonderful, fluid design. In addition to her talent, Joella's involvement in associations such as ISES and her dedication to greening meetings and events through her style of eco-chic have put her company on the map. And for those of you who don't know (I confess that I didn't until I asked) Mumtaz in Arabic translates to excellent; in Hindi to grand and extraordinay; and in Urdu and Farsi, to fantastic and great. To me, whatever the language, Simply Mumtaz is a company to watch!

David Merrell

Greening Your Special Events
By Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP

Going green is really pretty simple. It’s all a matter of determining what shade of green you’re looking to attain. You can simply add elements of green to your special event and have a big impact or you can also go green by making your event completely green powered, organic and produced solely by green businesses. If you’re really looking to make a big statement then try doing all of these things and more such as incorporating zero waste, carbon neutral and all green.

Green Ideas Large and Small...

Look here, it’s all about the small details… A Hershey’s Organic Chocolate Favor. Simply buy a big bag and place a few at everyone’s place setting. This gives each attendee an impression of quality and a commitment to green. It doesn’t say that everything at your event is green, but it will get them talking about going green.

We added to that same table top bamboo chargers to enhance the feeling. Another quick and easy way to go green is with your centerpieces.

Here are two other examples of using green elements in your special events – once more basic and simple and the other more fancy...

At this event, Whole Foods Market was a sponsor. We asked them to donate green fruit to use in our centerpieces. We also got those really cool green re-useable Whole Foods' totes and told everyone at the end of the event to use their bags and get some fruit! It was healthy, fun and green. You should have seen their faces!

Here we went with a similar idea – but, more elegant. Depending on the goals and objectives of your event you’re able to change these ideas up however you see fit.

So, we’ve all used California Crystals before – did you even know that’s what they are called? That gooey clear stuff – it’s actually an item created by the agricultural industry to help with our California droughts. They are designed to soak up water; plants are able to absorb the water directly from the crystals and eventually they break back down. Folks in the agricultural community use them in the soil. Makes total sense, huh!?

This photo is of an event we helped produced for ISES LA, with the help of SMS Generators we produced this event completely off of green bio-diesel generators. We also recycled everything in the house, cardboard, glass, plastic and paper. Going green doesn’t mean “granola.” It can be bright and beautiful.

Finally, we went for it all at this event… Green vendors, green venue, zero waste, carbon neutral, organic, seasonal, locally grown… everything from linens, potted plants, recycled plastic chairs, low energy LED lights… you name it, we tried to make it happen. It was a huge success and gorgeously green!

If you are interested in learning more or would like to receive Simply Mumtaz’ Top 55 Green Points in greening your special events or meetings, please e-mail Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP at joella@simplymumtaz.com. We look forward to seeing you out there greening it up!

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP is the president of Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc., a full-service award winning event & meeting management, production and design company. Joella has incorporated one central theme into her business: honest and ethical excellence. She began her career at the Office of International Affairs for the Florida Department of State. She has planned diplomatic events featuring headliners such as U.S. President George W. Bush, King Abdullah of Jordan, and former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Simply Mumtaz Events is also known as the Green Leader in the Special Events Industry. Simply Mumtaz Events produces grand openings and annual award shows to inspiring galas, ribbon cutting ceremonies, incentive events, product launch celebrations, conferences, business meetings and tradeshows.

www.simplymumtazevents.com and www.simplymumtazevents.blogspot.com