Event Network, a leading operator of retail stores for experiential attractions in the US, has been honoured with a SEAL Sustainable Product Award for Wearsponsible, its new clothing line.
SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an environmental advocacy organisation that funds research, promotes environmental impact initiatives, and recognises leadership in its business sustainability and environmental journalism awards.
Third SEAL Award
The SEAL Awards celebrate the world’s most sustainable businesses. Event Network received a SEAL Award in 2019 for its groundbreaking plastic-free toy packaging redesign. It was honoured again in 2021 for its success in designing and building environmentally friendly retail environments. The firm has now been recognised with the SEAL Sustainable Product Award for its Wearsponsible apparel line.
Event Network understands the importance of representing its partners by providing outstanding retail experiences that enhance and promote environmental missions.
Michael McCrory, director of marketing for Event Network, says: “When we’re able to do that with a product like Wearsponsible, it brings meaningful change to our industry. We are honored that this product is resonating with our partnerships and with our guests.”
The Event Network purchasing team has led the initiative from its inception. Abby Kessler, a senior member of the purchasing team, comments: “We have been committed to sustainability and conservation for years, but we realized being responsible implies we are all in this together from the CEO to the consumer, we are accountable for what’s in our control.”
Event Network’s Wearsponsible organic apparel collection exemplifies the company’s evolving approach to providing ethically sourced and environmentally friendly retail environments and product ranges for its partners.
The new collection is completely traceable from seed to sew, with environmental and social impact audits conducted at each stage. Fair Labour Certification ensures safe and fair labour standards are met through audited systems and supply chain improvement programmes.
100% organic non-GMO cotton t-shirts with an OCS (Organic Content Standard) certification were used in the initial run of Wearsponsible t-shirts. The latest line is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.
Kessler explains: “We’ve been very clear since the beginning that this is a work in progress. We are now in the process of getting our sweatshirts GOTS-certified. It’s about taking each next step.”
Event Network is also celebrating a major advancement in its Plastic S.T.O.P.S. Initiative. The firm has launched its first plastic-free retail experience in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and as part of its Common Thread Pledge. Event Network is the first in the sector to take this significant step towards integrating environmental stewardship, one of the company’s longstanding key values, with the critical mission of the New England Aquarium.
Recently, Event Network announced that it will continue to serve as Indianapolis Zoo’s official retail partner. This successful collaboration has been ongoing for 22 years.
