Church House Westminster Champions ESG with Charitable Initiative in 2026

Church House Westminster is strengthening its ESG commitment in 2026 with a new initiative that replaces exhibition giveaways and merchandise with charitable giving. The net zero venue will donate 100% of the budget previously allocated to branded items to a local charity.

After spending around £6,000 on merchandising in 2025, the decision is expected to generate a meaningful contribution while reinforcing the venue’s aim to reduce waste and support its Westminster community. It also reflects a broader industry shift, as delegates increasingly question the relevance of promotional items.

To extend the initiative, the venue will introduce quarterly ESG-focused competitions enabling clients to contribute directly. Organisations making sustainability pledges — such as choosing plant-based menus or going fully paperless — will be entered into a draw, with Church House donating £1 to charity for every delegate attending the winning company’s event.

Marina Papadopoulou, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Church House Westminster, said: “We’re delighted to be redirecting 100% of our merchandising budget for 2026 to a local charity. This is not only the natural evolution of our sustainability commitments but also signifies the fundamental role we play in supporting our local community.

“As both gifting and accepting promotional items can be at odds with a company’s green credentials, we’re excited to see the big impact a small change like this can make and hope it sets a new benchmark for the industry going forwards. This initiative recognises that the most valuable thing we can offer as a venue isn’t something physical that attendees can take away with them, but rather the experience we offer them and positive legacy their event creates.”

Church House Westminster is a Grade II listed, sustainable and multi-purpose venue in central London overlooking Westminster’s landmarks. With 19 flexible event spaces accommodating up to 664 guests, it hosts more than 800 events annually, including conferences, award ceremonies, launches and receptions. Since 1989, the team at Church House have been creating show stopping events for a wide array of organisations and individuals, in this iconic venue where heritage architecture meets modern facilities and technology.

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.