Venue
Selecting the right venue is crucial to overall impact. When booking on‑ or off‑campus, consider energy efficiency, accessibility and inclusion, sustainability credentials, and suitability for hybrid delivery.
Accessibility and Inclusion
- Ask attendees in advance if they require adjustments (e.g., seating, step‑free access, quiet spaces).
- Confirm availability of hearing loop systems; consider British Sign Language interpretation for larger events.
- Schedule wellbeing breaks; signpost to prayer/quiet/breastfeeding spaces where feasible.
- Ensure inclusive fire safety is in place (refuge points; evacuation chairs) and brief the event team on procedures.
- Provide clear wayfinding and accessible digital communications (structured headings; descriptive link text; alt text for images; tagged reading order in PDFs).
Environment and Energy
- Prefer venues with recognised sustainability certifications (e.g., BREEAM, WELL, Passivhaus, or ISO 14001).
- Right‑size rooms to avoid unnecessary heating/lighting; where appropriate consider outdoor daytime events to maximise natural light
- Where possible, select rooms with natural ventilation during periods when active cooling is unlikely to be required.
- Consult the Sustainability Team by emailing sustainability@salford.ac.uk for advice on energy‑efficient spaces, in addition to building managers.
- Ensure lights, equipment and appliances are turned off when not in use; avoid leaving devices on standby; include laptops/screens in your energy plan.
- Promote nature and green spaces on campus. Ensure any temporary structures do not negatively impact biodiversity.
Hybrid and Online Delivery
- Decide early whether a session will be in‑person, hybrid, or online, and communicate
clearly. - Plan AV needs and staffing; assign both onsite and online hosts; allow sufficient setup time for larger/technical events.
- Borrow/share equipment internally where feasible; agree contingency plans for technical issues.
- Our Conferences Team has extensive hybrid experience; consider consulting them for larger events and promoting ECOSmart Platinum
credentials for on‑campus conferences.
Ecosmart Platinum
The University of Salford’s Events & Conferencing Team has achieved the Greengage EcoSmart Platinum Award, recognising exceptional
environmental performance across venues, operations and event delivery.
This top-tier certification reflects:
- Strong carbon‑reduction measures.
- Responsible waste and resource management.
- Commitment to sustainable procurement and catering.
- Promoting sustainable travel options.
- Continuous environmental improvement.
When you host events on campus, you’re choosing a venue that meets one of the highest sustainability standards in the UK.