Conventions & Conference Centers
In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a green travel policy for its 17,000 employees. They are encouraging for standards for green meetings (currently being developed by the Convention Industry Council - CIC - with ASTM, a standards setting organization). Many large companies from Microsoft and Starbucks to General Electric now issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that include questions about the green policies, practices and the building envelope of meeting venues. Midsize and smaller organizations are also getting on board, as are government agencies and non-profits.
Green meetings are good for your business, good for the Earth, and good for host communities… Green meetings make good business sense. They:
- save money by conserving resources
- create and enhance competitive advantage and reputation
- open up new or niche markets
- present positive opportunities for marketing, improve public relations and demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility
Green Meeting Industry Council
To respond to these trends, convention centers and hotel conference centers are "going green" to meet this changing demand. Without doing so, they are at risk of losing business to centers that do. Even loyal customers, once they decide to follow the environmental path, will move their meetings elsewhere if you do not adapt. The CIC, recognizing this trend, now includes the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) as a member organization.
The impacts associated with the convention industry come from two primary sources, similar to lodgings but on a larger scale. Of particular concern are energy, transportation impacts, solid waste generation and prolific bottled water use.