Toronto, a city renowned for its cultural diversity and vibrant energy, is committed to achieve greater sustainability within the events industry. For business meeting planners, this presents a unique opportunity to host eco-friendly events that align with global efforts towards environmental responsibility. From utilizing green venues to incorporating locally sourced catering, Toronto is readily available with a viable to-do list when planning a sustainable event. Here are the city’s innovative strategies and practical tips to ensure your next business event in Toronto is both memorable and environmentally conscious.
Choosing the Right Venue
When planning a meeting or event, sustainability has become a fundamental consideration, influencing every aspect, from the event's location to the selection of partner hotels and restaurants. Toronto boasts numerous eco-friendly venue options, including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), which has earned accolades for its green initiatives. The MTCC has implemented energy efficient lighting, a comprehensive waste management system and sustainable food practices.
Exhibition Place is a LEED Silver-certified facility known for its energy efficiency and green building practices. Buildings on the Exhibition grounds have green roofs that collect rainwater for reuse, cold roofs, featuring white membranes that reflect the sun’s rays and prevent heat from being absorbed into the buildings or are powered by geothermal energy.
Green Accommodations
Toronto offers a host of hotels that prioritize sustainable accommodations for attendees. Situated in the downtown core, 1 Hotel is a LEED Gold-certified building—where heating and cooling systems are controlled based on light, occupancy, and ambient conditions to ensure efficient energy use. The hotel’s design is guided by biophilia, the principle of connecting nature with the indoors.
Fairmont Royal York is certified Zero Carbon Building - Performance Standard™ through its retrofit project which has reduced the building’s carbon emissions by over 7,000 tonnes every year, the equivalent of taking 1,558 cars off the road. The hotel’s new energy management innovations remove 80% of direct emissions from building operations including heating, cooling, washing, cooking and cleaning systems.
The Westin Harbour Castle uses 100% green energy in its lobby and is working to expand that to its meeting spaces. The venue’s head chef also oversees a rooftop garden, planted with herbs, fruits and flowers used by the property’s restaurant, catering and bars.
Encouraging guests to stay at environmentally conscious hotels not only supports sustainable practices but also enhances the overall green experience of the event.
Sustainable Meetings Within Your Reach
Planning a sustainable event in Toronto is not only feasible but also an opportunity to make a positive and responsible impact on the environment and the community. As more event professionals strive to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies for impactful events, Toronto continues to set high standards in this area. Destination Toronto offers support through its new I.D.E.A.S. Guide, which provides a wealth of resources and practical advice covering every aspect of the five-letter acronym: inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility and sustainability.
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