From 0 to 100: Its time to Re-Energize
Across the globe — in regions, cities, communities, businesses, and individual lives — people are proving that 100% renewable energy is not a fantasy, but a reality today. But what about the meetings and events industry? And what about convention, congress and exhibition centers? Its time that us “clients” started requesting. lobbying and selecting venues […]
To Bee, Or Not To Be
You may not think it, but the future of the human race depends almost as much on bees for their pollination as it does on our forests for its oxygen. After all, one in every three bites of food consumed worldwide comes from plants which depend on these little pollinators for a successful harvest. To […]
Behind the scenes of a sustainable EU Presidency
“To have success in sustainability – you just have to make it sufficiently hard for yourself that it becomes easy”. This was the advice from Kirsten Aggersborg, the director of the super sustainable Hotel Axel in Copenhagen. I think there is some real value to this observation, and this is no where more true than […]
Sustainable Events 2012: Bold (and not so bold) predictions
As 2011 becomes 2012, lists and reviews abound (including this frightful recounting). In this spirit, and to bring a focus to meetings industry issues, we consider the influence sustainability will have on the organizations that comprise the industry. This time last year, we created a list of predictions. While a few examples were perhaps a […]
A bit about eco labels
So many labels, so much confusion It’s a jungle out there. There are over 400 labels known worldwide. (For a review of each of these labels, see the Eco Label Index site) Many people comment that with so many labels, it’s hard to know what is ‘good’. Yet, certifications can provide real value to meetings […]
Sustainable Events: On strength & Connectedness
Organisations=Organisms Within any organisation, individual department-based process are interrelated and interdependent. Random example: The person working reception at a hotel, if they are to be productive and enthusiastic, relies on the successful observation of effective processes in the restaurant. Poor systems will result in poor service and, eventually, problems for anybody involved in guest service. […]
Green and Sustainable events: can 2011 be a ‘corner turner’?
The many ‘2010, a year in review’ lists (random example here) prompt consideration of what meeting industry trends might indicate, if anything, for 2011. 2010 saw many high water marks in the pursuit of greater sustainable event performance which, in list form, might look like this: 10. The app. Rapid uptake of smart phones and […]
Green Meeting Seminar Estoril – Presentations
Yesterday I was privileged to be in Estoril, Portugal and to be organising a seminar program about sustainable events. The days previous to the event I was participating in a workshop to co-develop the GRI Reporting guidelines for the event sector. My fellow participants are some of the best brains in event sustainability from around […]
Can reducing food waste help to cool the planet?
This recent article about food waste in the United States, and the energy it represents, offers reminder that this is an area worthy of focus for event professionals and their suppliers. Indeed, a recent session at the MPI WEC conference offered practical actions to reduce carbon emissions related to events. Reducing food waste is by […]
Sustainable Meetings, Copenhagen style
COP15 was a transformative event for those closest to it, the organizers and the host city, Copenhagen. The largest political event to ever happen in Denmark, COP15 brought unique challenges and opportunities. The story of how they worked together to deliver the first United Nations event to ever achieve BS8901 sustainable event management criteria is […]
