Sustainable Opportunities Summit
Environmental Considerations 2011
Greening the Summit
In keeping with our mission of promoting environmentally and socially responsible business practices, CORE has incorporated “green meetings” best practices into the planning and production of this event.
For 2011 our efforts will include:
- Centrally Located Venue: easy access to public transportation to Summit, including light rail stops directly adjacent to the Marriott.
- Venue Selection: Marriott City Center, an Energy Star Hotel, has numerous environmental practices in place. To see more, CLICK HERE.
- Waste Diversion: Waste stations, including recycling and composting bins, will be placed around the Summit. Volunteers will be onsite to answer questions and offer tips for reducing waste. Event managers will monitor and measure waste diversion to report results of these efforts at the Summit.
- Supplier Selection: CORE and conference managers choose vendors and suppliers that have incorporated green practices into their businesses: audio/visual, food and beverage, exhibit service providers, etc.
- Energy Savings: Lights and HVAC will be turned off/down when meeting rooms are not in use, and conference attendees staying at the hotel will be requested to participate in energy saving hotel initiatives, such as sheet/towel program.
- Registration:
- Register online, to avoid printing and mailing
- Name badges printed on post-consumer recycled paper
- Names printed onto badges using recycled printer ink cartridges
- Badge holders will be reused, and will again be collected post-event for re-use
- Print reports and attendee lists on 100% recycled paper
- Food & Beverage:
- Closely track attendee numbers to avoid over ordering food quantities
- Choose menu items with lowest burden of pesticides, chemicals and hormones
- Work to select locally grown and/or organic food choices as much as possible
- Use china and glass service ware in lieu of disposable service ware
- Use linen instead of disposable napkins whenever possible; use compostable napkins as alternative when required
- Serve condiments in bulk instead of individual packages
- Serve water in pitchers and glassware instead of plastic bottles
- Donate any leftover food to local charitable organization
- Exhibits: Event consultant, Green Convene Strategies, is working with the Marriott Denver City Center and exhibitors to incorporate green practices into the exhibit area through a comprehensive plan. Some of the efforts to green the exhibit area are:
- Lower lighting and heating systems during move in and tear down
- Participate in recycling program: cardboard, paper, aluminum, steel, beverage containers
- Minimize packaging materials and use environmentally responsible packing materials
- Minimize printed materials; print 2-sided on recycled paper
- Reduce give-a-ways; provide environmentally responsible give-a-ways
- Donate leftover signage, giveaways and supplies to local non-profit
- No idling policy enforced during load in and load out at the dock
- Requesting NO STYROFOAM
- Communication and Attendee Participation: During the Summit, we’ll spread the word and ask attendees to help green the event! Examples include:
- Only take brochures, magazines, free samples and disposable items that you really want
- Use on-site waste stations to recycle and compost
Greening the Summit will be a success through the efforts of all attendees. Your support and positive actions are essential. Thank you for helping to make the 2011 Summit the greenest ever.
Our success in greening the 2009 Sustainable Opportunities Summit is documented by our event consultants, Green Convene Strategies, in this case study.
