Can conferences be sustainable? What we’re doing differently at The Wesley

Yes - conferences can be more sustainable, especially when the venue is designed around lower-impact choices from the start. At The Wesley, we focus on practical changes that reduce waste, support greener travel, and make it easier for organisers to host responsible events without losing the professionalism a great conference needs.

This matters because event sustainability isn’t one big gesture. It’s the sum of dozens of small decisions: how people arrive, what’s provided in the room, how energy is used, and what happens to waste afterwards. At The Wesley, sustainability is described plainly on our website as being “not a marketing slogan” - it sits at the core of how we operate. 

What does “a sustainable conference” actually mean?

A sustainable conference aims to reduce environmental impact while still delivering a strong delegate experience. In practice, that usually comes down to three things:

• making low-carbon travel the easiest option
• reducing waste before it’s created
• using resources (energy, water, supplies) more efficiently

Those principles show up throughout The Wesley’s app events.

Making greener travel the default

One of the simplest ways to reduce a conference footprint is to reduce car travel - and remove the assumption that parking is part of the package.

On our Green Meetings & Events page, we’re explicit: we’ve chosen not to offer parking at either The Wesley Euston or The Wesley Camden Town, because both locations are easily accessible by public transport. We also encourage guests and “Team Wesley” to walk, cycle or use public transport, and we provide a bike rack at The Wesley Camden Town to support cycling.

For organisers, this is helpful because it makes the sustainable choice simple to communicate: “Arrive by public transport. Cycling is supported.”

Building sustainability into how meetings run

Sustainable events are easiest when they’re built into everyday operations, not added on at the end.

Across The Wesley’s sustainability messaging, we reference practical initiatives such as energy efficiency (including LED lighting and water-saving fixtures) and comprehensive recycling and waste management programmes. Our sustainability page also highlights that we host sustainable meetings and events, integrating waste reduction, energy efficiency, and locally sourced catering to support more responsible experiences.

A professional conference venue, with the practical essentials covered

Sustainability shouldn’t mean compromise, particularly for corporate organisers who need events to run smoothly.

At The Wesley Euston, our meetings and events offering includes over 20 flexible meeting rooms, with the largest capacity room accommodating up to 120 delegates. Meeting rooms are supplied with inbuilt AV equipment (such as projectors and large monitors), and complimentary high-speed WiFi is included.

When those essentials are built in, it reduces the need for additional equipment hire and simplifies set-up, which can also support more efficient event delivery.

What we’re doing differently at The Wesley

If you’re planning an event and want it to be more sustainable without becoming complicated, these are the key areas we focus on:

• no parking at either venue, to encourage public transport travel
• active encouragement of walking and cycling, with a bike rack at The Wesley Camden Town
• sustainability-led operations, including energy efficiency and water-saving fixtures
• waste reduction, recycling and waste management programmes
• sustainable meetings supported with locally sourced catering

All of the above is stated across our Green Meetings & Events and sustainability pages.

Frequently asked questions

How can hotels make conferences more sustainable?

Hotels can reduce impact by encouraging public transport, cutting waste, improving energy and water efficiency, and using responsible sourcing for food and supplies. The Wesley’s approach includes no on-site parking, active encouragement of walking/cycling, energy efficiency measures, and waste reduction.

Does The Wesley offer sustainable meetings in London?

Yes. The Wesley promotes Green Meetings & Events at both The Wesley Euston and The Wesley Camden Town.

What size conferences can The Wesley Euston host?

The Wesley Euston offers over 20 meeting rooms, with the largest room accommodating up to 120 delegates, plus inbuilt AV equipment and complimentary high-speed WiFi.

Conclusion

Sustainable conferences aren’t about perfection. They’re about making better choices easier - for organisers and delegates - and building responsibility into the way events are hosted. At The Wesley, that starts with greener travel defaults, practical waste reduction, efficient operations, and sustainable meetings that still feel polished and professional.

If you’re planning a meeting or conference in London and want to host it more responsibly, explore The Wesley Euston event spaces and our sustainability approach, then make an enquiry with our team.