The document outlines the importance of implementing green practices in meetings to conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions. It provides a checklist and strategies for organizing sustainable events, highlighting the benefits for companies, stakeholders, and communities. Case studies demonstrate financial savings and positive environmental impacts when green initiatives are adopted in corporate meetings.

1. It’s Easy Being Green! Green Meetings Checklist Discussion Presented by: Megan Rooksby, CMP American Express Corporate Meeting Solutions

2. Our Responsibility to the World Around Us At American Express, we are … dedicated to protecting the environment by helping to conserve natural resources, reducing carbon emissions and building a focus on sustainability into our everyday operations. … As the world evolves , American Express will continue to adapt and transform while remaining true to the values that have guided us for nearly 160 years. Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

3. Benefits of Green Meetings Good for the Company Good for the Stakeholder Good for the Environment Good for People Good for Community Good for Economics

4. What does this mean? Where should you start? You have a green checklist but now what? How do I go about implementing this list? So you have decided to plan a green meeting? GREAT NEWS!

5. Greening an Event: Steps to take … Establishing green strategies Destination and vendor selection Recycle and track waste management Decrease energy and natural resource consumption Serve organic, local or fair trade food & beverage Use products with post-consumer recycled content Include legacy events, fundraising campaigns or provide an opportunity for attendees to giveback to improve the community where meetings are held Measuring Results (Economic & Environmental)

6. Experiment with me for a moment Please stand up

7. FEEL GOOD?

8. Using a Green Meeting Checklist is like deciding to breath deeply, Choose to RETHINK the decisions you make through every step of the meeting process. Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

9. Where Do I Begin?? Establish Goals and Objectives (develop minimum guidelines) Develop some creative ideas to jumpstart the discussion with your stakeholders around sustainable practices. Examples of questions to ask: Are you more comfortable starting small or do you want to make a BIG impact? Where can we make the biggest difference? I have some creative ideas to share with you… Based on our discussion, would you like me to come up with an innovative green meeting plan for you? Work collaboratively to develop your “ Green Strategy ”!

10. Rethinking what it means to be Green… Focus on the Four R’s: RECYCLE REDUCE REUSE RETHINK

11. Taking Steps Toward Sustainability Include just ONE green strategy into your next meeting, and you’ve taken the first step!

12. Destination & Venue Selection Communicate your sustainability objectives in the RFP Know what you are willing to compromise and what you can’t live without Evaluate the sustainability practices within a city. It will make your job of planning a green meeting a lot easier! Review distance from the airport, public transit, walking or alternate options to easily explore the city from the venue you select. Work with the local CVB who is your personal expert on their city! Understand the attendee’s Geographic Location

13. Environmental Provisions to Consider Easy ideas that most hotels can implement for your meeting: Towel and sheet reuse program Replacing consumable amenities only when necessary Bulk soap and shampoo dispensers Energy conservation Recycling and local catering options Donate unused amenities to local charities or shelters Optional newspaper distribution on request Environmental Clause : include an environmental contract clause which addresses the expected sustainable outcomes from the event!

14. Recycling Venue staff should be trained on recycling programs A recycling program should include the enforcement of recycling these products: Paper Plastic Glass Aluminum cans Cardboard Grease Recycling containers should be placed in hotel common areas, unless the hotel staff sorts and recycles behind the scenes. Recycling shouldn’t cost more – unless your request is above and beyond (i.e. extra provisions for large tradeshows, really specific requests)

15. Green Meetings Case Study Green Challenge: Green initiatives for large annual meeting of 700ppl over 5 days Green Solution : Utilized Green Lodging Hotel in Florida, Palm I certified Hotel recycles 30%of their waste monthly Hotel uses energy efficient light bulbs in entire structure Hotel uses low flow showerheads and faucets in sleeping rooms, automatic faucets and toilets in public bathrooms Hotel has double pane windows for energy conservation Coordinated large group transportation vs individual town cars Registration fully electronic Used recycled badge holders and lanyards Provided water coolers instead of individual bottled waters for length of meeting Minimal signage used Electronic Media used – no handouts

16. Green Meeting Savings Case Study Green Challenge: Large annual meeting of 700ppl over 5 days Saving Results: $ 28,350 savings for using water stations vs bottled water in 2008, $324,000 in savings since 2005. 6300 bottles of water saved from landfill in 2008; 216,000 bottles saved since 2005 $ 58,000 in savings for using group ground transportation vs. individual town cars in 2008, $396,000 in savings since 2005. $3,780 savings in paper use; saved 12,796 gal. water

17. Green Meeting Savings Case Study Green Challenge: Large annual meeting of 700ppl over 5 days Saving Results: 2008 Economic Meeting Savings for ONE event $90,130.00

18. Measuring Your Results! DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!  Track your results Ask attendees for feedback Publish your results Share best practices Congratulate yourself… YOUR EFFORTS will make an impact on the environment, on the community and help to support sustainability practices.

19. It’s Easy Being Green! Thank You For Your Participation Presented by: Megan Rooksby, CMP American Express Corporate Meeting Solutions