The big sobriety The number of people on lcohol free s on the rse – but re we ctern for them t our events Gbb Austen Browne, co-founder of Dverst Allnce nd Dverse Speer Bureu, revels how ou cn me our events sober-nclusve
A s event professionals, the socialising part of our job is just as important as the actual job. And alcohol is always part of that. But should it be? Once I entered the industry, I realised my drinking habits - like most Londoners my age - weren’t healthy. So I decided to go alcohol-free. Completely. With no end date in mind, just an ambition to look better, feel better and achieve more. at was three years ago and I haven’t looked back. With a clear head to re ect, I noticed how we, event planners, encourage each other and our guests to get drunk at events. And the more drunk - the better the event. ere came a point that tipped me over the edge. I had attended a couple of events and two awards ceremonies that did not cater for guests who were not drinking alcohol. e options at two of those events were coke, lemonade and orange juice - to which I replied, “I am not 12, what else
do you have?”. eir reply was a shrug. At one of the events I attended, I had to pay for so drinks even though red wine, white wine and prosecco were free. Making things worse, two of these events required me to buy a ticket. From an inclusivity, accessibility and health aspect, it’s disturbing. People who don’t drink alcohol are not always in recovery, what about those who are pregnant, those who are driving, those who don’t drink for religious reasons, or those who want to alternate because they don’t want to get drunk? We have a responsibility to be inclusive of all those who are attending our events. ere are enough alcohol-free options from big brands now, it’s just a case of us requesting them. We need to be thinking about what we can do to remove the stigma around not drinking alcohol. Now is the time to start planning sober-inclusive events.
Gabby Austen Browne
Gabby’s top ve tips for catering for guests not wishing to drink alcohol at events ■ For a drinks reception, oer a drink/s that adults would like to have. If it’s a sparkling reception include Nosecco in a champagne glass, an alcohol-free spirit or a mocktail. It helps those not drinking alcohol to feel included. ■ Don’t design all event activities around alcohol. Similarly, don’t include activities that require alcohol in order to make people feel condent to take part. ■ Make sure your venue has some alcohol-free options. Drinks packages should have a zz, a cocktail and a beer as a minimum and try to have at least one of these options available to purchase if there is a paying bar. Request this as non-negotiable. Big brands all have alcohol free options available now, so there is no excuse. ■ Be creative with networking activities at events. Don’t just oer a drinks reception as standard, provide additional activities for those who might want to build relationships that don’t revolve around alcohol. ■ Encourage and normalise non-alcoholic drinks at events. ink about those who are driving, pregnant, or don’t drink for religious reasons and for those who just don’t want to get drunk and would prefer to alternate their drinks.
mitmagazine.co.uk / 2022 19
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker