MUMBAI: In its 12th year, the festival pledges to reduce its environmental footprint with the help of National Geographic. The much awaited Goafest 2017, organized by the AAAI and The Advertising Club will be hosted in Goa from 6 – 8 April, 2017. Like every year, this year too promises to showcase and recognize the most incredible creative and planning work of the year. However, there is one significant change in the awards for the first time in its 12th year history.

Goafest has pledged to be more conscious of its environmental footprint in its 12thedition. For this cause, it has partnered with National Geographic, an iconic brand which has inspired people to care about the planet for more than 129 years. National Geographic will come on board as the ‘Green Partner’ to help make the festival not only a congregation of the country’s best creative and planning minds, but also one that is conscious about its actions, and their impact.

Some of the initiatives include the organizing committee using recycled paper and making available a system of carpooling for the delegates. However, both National Geographic & Goafest agree that the organization committee adopting a host of initiatives will not be enough. Real impact and change will happen if the delegates themselves are involved and engaged in this initiative.

Consequently, National Geographic will create an awareness drive throughout the festival to shock, educate and inspire delegates for the need to be environmentally conscious. Delegates will also be encouraged to do their bit, from collecting water they would’ve wasted to ditching plastic bottles for the much sought after National Geographic branded water bottles.

FOX Networks Group India Business Head Swati Mohan said, “National Geographic has been educating and inspiring people to care for the planet. Our association with Goafest is another endeavor in the same direction - to make our incredible industry aware and conscious about preserving the planet. We are confident that the country’s best creative and planning minds will adopt this cause and be our partners to spread this important message.’’

Goafest chairman Ashish Bhasin adds, ‘’This year, apart from being this festival that is associated with excellence, we wanted Goafest to be a festival that is conscious and responsible. This year, Goafest is Green through the various initiatives that we have adopted. We couldn’t find a better partner than National Geographic for this cause."

National Geographic reaches 139 million television viewers in India and globally the entire portfolio to 700 million consumers each month.