Green Meetings
Better practices for the meetings industry
Amy Spatrisano, CMP
MeetGreen®
Formerly Meeting Strategies Worldwide
1

INTENTION
• What makes the most business sense?
• What’s right?

Relevant Data
Average conference delegate over 3 days:
Produces 61 lbs/27+kgs of solid waste
Uses 846 gallons/3202+ liters of waste
Produces 1419 lbs/643+ kgs of ghgs
Data Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

More facts…
79% of buyers deliberately
avoid destinations/venues
known to have poor
environmental records
Source: IMEX 3rd Annual Survey Results 2008

More facts…
Planners are or expect to
plan a green meeting
during the next year…
Association 42%
Corporate 36%
Independent 35%
2008 Meetings Market Trends Survey

BALANCE

FOUR INTENTIONS
Do right by the planet
Make the best business decision
Measure the impact
Share the story

DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET
What is a green meeting?

The Four Ps
• People
• Planet
• Profit………
• Purpose

What's your
PURPOSE?

DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION

MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION
(44%) confused by the term “sustainability”
(71-75%) don’t know which
product/company is sustainable
(34%) willing to pay for sustainable goods
(21%) actually buying more sustainably
Source: Sustainability: The Rise of Consumer Responsibility, The Hartman Group, Inc., January 2009.

MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Re-pay

MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION

MEASURE THE IMPACT

MEASURE THE IMPACT

MEASURE THE IMPACT
• 1.5 lbs trash per person 2008
• 76% waste diversion (66% increase)
• 41200 lbs donated materials
• 21 community organizations helped
• 933 lbs GHG per person
• 100% offset
• 42% organic
• 15% local

MEASURE THE IMPACT

SHARE THE STORY

SHARE THE STORY
Greenwashing:
“The act of misleading consumers
regarding the environmental practices
of a company or the environmental
benefits of a product or service.”
Source: Terrachoice

Over the top images
Fluffy language Nothing to do
with product

Gives a good feeling
Claims that are
product relevant
A recognised 3rd party label Significant and
major green
commitments

SHARE THE STORY
Planners:
• Be informed
• Read labels
• Seek proof
• See for yourself

SHARE THE STORY
Marketers:
• Be transparent
• Be authentic
• Third party validation
• Report progress

Amy Spatrisano, CMP
MeetGreen®
www.amy@meetgreen.com