Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Executive Director for the Green Meetings Industry Council
(courtesy image)

For many organizations, the practical implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs emphasizes green meetings and related services - including business travel. In fact, CSR is seen as a driver of innovation by roughly two-thirds of companies surveyed by BSR, a San Francisco-based global network of more than 250 companies that develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research and cross-sector collaboration.

As organizations look to develop their CSR strategies for 2010 and the next decade for business travel and events, it seems that two important actions include creating innovative business models designed for sustainability and measuring/demonstrating the positive social and environmental impacts of CSR, according to the study. And this also serves as an important theme behind the 2010 Sustainable Meetings Conference (GMIC), February 9-11, 2010, in Denver, Colorado.

With conversations about the value of sustainability now being integrated into many organizations’ operating plans, the value of green meetings should not be viewed as a secondary discussion, according to Tamara Kennedy-Hill, executive director of GMIC. “We need to stop talking about green meetings and start talking about meeting excellence, attendee engagement, and integration of sustainability as a core business value. The meetings of the future are sustainable meetings,” she says.

This means that business events must involve a strategic process of weighing economic benefits with environmental impacts and social value, throughout every step of planning the event, maximizing the attendee experience and creating ongoing value for organizations and the industry.

“There is business value for operating and running a sustainable event but we need to do a better job of tracking this value and communicating it effectively. By understanding sustainability, we are talking about a change in how we meet, where we meet and why we meet. Thus, we must integrate sustainable practices if we want to continue in the business of travel, hospitality and meetings/events. This is not an easy conversation to have when we are in survival mode, but it is a leadership conversation of how do we adapt to global pressures and thrive as a valuable industry. Our conference will be the place to address these issues,” Kennedy-Hill adds.

Through its 2010 Sustainable Meetings Conference, the GMIC will address how sustainability practices and recent green meeting standards (APEX/ASTM, BS8901 and GRI) are changing the way organizations evaluate the ROI of meetings. Interactive sessions will center on CSR, measurement, future meeting trends, and reporting of sustainability/green efforts.

“GMIC’s focus is on sustainable meetings education for meeting organizers and suppliers. For 2010 and beyond, our emphasis will be on training and certification based on industry accepted standards,” Kennedy-Hill explains.

Participants will engage in interactive and experiential learning tracks, network with business partners and industry thought leaders, evaluate green facilities operations during a back-of-the-house tour at the Colorado Convention Center, and discuss the critical alignment of sustainability and strategic meeting management.

About 250 are expected to attend the GMIC Conference. Presenters include top corporate, association and hospitality experts who will share case studies and proven, measurable strategies to help meeting professionals make the case for sustainable meetings. The speakers include experts from the following organizations:

• American Institute of Architects
• BS 8901
• Gap, Inc.
• International Congress and Convention Association
• MCI Group
• MeetGreen
• The Conference Publishers, Inc.
• Maritz, Inc.
• Oracle
• Colorado Convention Center
• Pulse Staging and Events, Inc.
• Greg Christian Consulting
• IMEX
• City of Denver
• Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC
• Vail Resorts
• Stetson Exhibitions

What You Should Know About Green, Eco-Friendly Promotional Items