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1. Do you have statistics on how much money, etc., is saved by not having bottled water at meetings? Cost per person in savings, reduction in carbon footprint, etc., so attendees can see the impact. Sure, one client last year saved $1.5 million by not serving individual water bottles. This was a four-day conference of 40,000 participants. They also saved $500,000 plastic bottles from the landfill. While that is an extreme example because of the size of the conference, it is pretty easy to make the economic case based on water bottles costing at least $2.50/bottle++ at most meeting venues. 2. Do you have a checklist for RFP requirements related to green requirements? Yes, all of our RFPs include green requirements. A sample checklist is available in the MeetGreen Toolbox online (www.meetgreen.com/tools/toolbox). 3. What has been your experience of results when asking how participants are aware of green policies or if it is an important factor when attending a conference or training event? It depends on the show. For some groups it is an absolute must, especially if they are working on environmental or social issues. For others, it is a value-add that participants request. 4. Can you explain what “occupancy sensors” in sleeping rooms are? Occupancy sensors turn on the lights, HVAC and electricity while the guest is in the room and off when they are out. Quite often they use the room key in a slot close to the door to accomplish this. 5. Do IACC facilities have green programs? Do they work for/against green standards? IACC has a great sustainability program that facilities can sign up for. Because there are no nationally recognized standards at the moment, they don't work for or against. 6. Can you give some examples of suppliers who are already seeing the financial benefit? Oregon’s Doubletree Hotel, Portland, has been one of the first to report on the financial benefits both from cost-savings and from a sales perspective. Check their website for more details (http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/RLLC-DT-Doubletree-Hotel-Portland-OR-Oregon/index.do). 7. Can you discuss providing carbon offset purchases in registration or on-site? If you want the attendee to pay for the carbon offsets on their registration, just include a check box and the additional fee. You can collect the carbon offset fee and work with a carbon offset provider putting the money toward the project. 8. What steps can be taken if you have already contracted with a facility that does not have green practices program? Sometimes with a city-wide convention, all hotels must be used. Ask the hotels to fill out a survey of their green practices (always involve the CVB for this in a citywide). Once you get the information, ask what additional green practices they could incorporate for your group or by the time your group arrives. 9. Concerning F&B, is there anything we can do besides non-disposable cups, etc., and local and organic foods? Don't forget composting food scraps, donating leftover food, choosing sustainable seafood and serving bulk condiments and drinks whenever possible. 10. When are the APEX green standards expected to be ready? They are still shooting for December 2009. |
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