Centre Shows It’s Switched On to Switching Off

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has demonstrated again that it’s switched on to environmental issues – by offering exhibition organisers the option of switching off.

In a move designed to reduce power consumption and exhibitor costs, the Centre has installed dedicated electricity outlets for cleaning in its main exhibition halls, enabling exhibition organisers to switch off all other power overnight.

The new system was trialled at the Reed Gift Fair – the biggest trade show in Australia – during February, and played a major role in reducing power consumption at the event by an impressive 12 per cent.

Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said the new power reduction option would now be offered to all exhibition organisers.

“The Centre has won many awards for energy saving initiatives associated with its environmental program Ecowise but we are constantly looking for new ways to conserve energy,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“This latest initiative is part of our ongoing drive to reduce our carbon footprint and set the benchmark for the events industry.”

The Centre has won the Best Green Initiative category at the national Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia’s Annual Awards for the past four years and recently won the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) New South Wales Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Centre participates in Earth Hour each year and has been recognised as a Green Globe (Silver) Benchmarked Convention Centre, a Bronze Partner of the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage program and received the Earthcheck Silver Certification and ISO 14001:2004 Standard for Environmental Management Systems.

Mövenpick Hotel Prague has received GREEN GLOBE Certification

Mövenpick Hotel Prague is the first company in Czech republic which received the internationally recognized Green Globe Certification. The handover took place 28^thMarch 2012 in the Mövenpick Hotel Prague, stylish in the green area of the Il Giardino restaurant’s terrace. Green Globe certification was granted on the basis of fulfilled criteria, after an intensive and thorough audit.

Green Globe is the first and leading world certification program improving the parameters developed specifically for travel and tourism. Green Globe helps organizations to improve their economic, social and environmental sustainability, while simultaneously rewarding and recognizing compliance with the relevant criteria.

Green Globe Certification provides certification, training and education, and marketing services in 83 countries worldwide. Based in Los Angeles, California and with partners in Mexico, South America, South Africa, Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe, Green Globe certification provides certification for the sustainable operations and management of travel and tourism companies.

Mövenpick Hotel Prague is very alert and aware of the need for a sustainable future, has an environmental activities plan and motivates employees and guests to participate actively in environmental protection, guarantees all clients that it is active in constantly improving environmental and social responsibility.  The philosophy of sustainability has become part of the daily life of Mövenpick Hotel Prague.

To achieve the internationally recognized, independently audited Green Globe certification, Mövenpick Hotel Prague had to provide detailed proof of environmental, social and employer-related sustainable practices across more than 300 criteria, of which 100 were mandatory. The Eco Green Globe Certification Standard is reviewed twice a year and is always updated to the highest international standards. To ensure compliance with the highest international standards an independent auditor is appointed by third parties, whose role is to work with clients on site.

According Dr. Peter Zimmer, independent auditor of Mövenpick Hotel Prague, the best 11 reasons for the Green Globe Certification:    

1. Employment of staff with disabilities

2. The land mark of the hotel, the “Cable Car”, is producing energy by itself.

3. Team buildings with the manager: planting trees

4. Low employee turnover

5. Up to 70% of all products are regional

6. Green Team in hotel since more than 10 years

7. Waste segregation system in place

8. Donation program in place (eg. summer camp)

9. Cooperation with UNICEF

10. Certified amenities in all rooms and public areas

11. planned Recycled wooden card keys and biodegradable pens

General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Prague, Mr. Kamil Madej, is delighted with the recognition and says: “This prestigious certification of our hotel is a great recognition of our efforts in sustainability. The process of audit was not easy, I am proud that we have reached such a high result of 91% fulfilled criteria. I am very glad of great interest and new ideas of our employees and I hope that Mövenpick Hotel Prague will not remain the only company certified by Green Globe on the Czech Market for a long time.”

amiando launches Green Ticketing @SXSW

Munich/Austin –March 14, 2012 – amiando (www.amiando.com), one of the leading online registration and ticketing tools worldwide, announced today that it launches amiando Green Ticketing at this year’s SXSW interactive festival.

amiando’s online event management software allows event organizers and delegates to be more environmentally-thoughtful. Not only is amiando’s online registration system completely paperless, amiando now allows delegates to buy CO2 certificates in order to compensate for their carbon dioxide emissions impact that is caused by their travel to and from the event.

Green events

Green events adopt environmentally friendly measures wherever it is possible. The main goal is to reduce their carbon footprint, which is the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the particular event. There are multiple ways to make an event greener such as saving energy, recycling, paperless online event management systems and the minimization of carbon dioxide emissions for travelling delegates. amiando takes responsibility and supports this idea: It provides event organizers with an online registration system that minimizes the environmental impact that results from an event and its delegates.

Paperless registration

amiando’s online event management systems allows for a complete paperless and environmentally friendly attendee registration process. All information and documents including the registration confirmation and tickets are sent via email automatically. Furthermore amiando’s entry management software allows the validation of registered attendees without the need of a printed ticket.

Compensate your carbon dioxide impact

Attendee travel to and from an event accounts for a large majority of the overall carbon dioxide footprint of an event. amiando now allows attendees to compensate their CO2 impact by offering the chance to buy CO2 certificates when registering for an event. The price for each CO2 certificate depends on the individual attendee’s travel distance as well as the type and the length of the event. The compensation amount is used for reforestation projects in Costa Rica that compensate for the attendee’s calculated carbon dioxide emissions. Organizers and sponsors can have a share in making event management greener by paying the total cost for compensating the event’s carbon dioxide footprint.

“Event production and attendee travelling make events a relevant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. As the tool of choice for thousands of event organizers we see it as our responsibility to act environmentally thoughtful. Therefore we are very happy and proud to help both event organizers and delegates to reduce an event’s carbon footprint”, says Felix Haas, CEO amiando.

Tallinn Conference Promotes a Greener, Cleaner World

Let’s Do It!, the famously successful, grassroots, trash cleanup initiative that Estonians have taken global, held its latest worldwide conference in
Tallinn on January 13 – 15 with the aim of preparing for this year’s projects.

The Let’s Do It! movement started in May 2008 when as many as 50,000 Estonians mobilized to remove illegal garbage from roadsides, forests and
towns. Over the course of the five-hour event, the volunteers managed to collect 10,000 tons of waste.

The Estonian-born concept has since spread to 85 countries on five continents.

Organizers from 45 countries gathered at the Let’s Do It World conference, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Olümpia, to share ideas and experiences in
the run-up to World Cleanup 2012, a series of local, national and regional cleanup events due to take place from March 24 until September 15 in 2012.

In addition to the workshops and networking activities in Tallinn, participants were given the chance to visit the village of Jäneda, 60 kilometres outside of the city, to get a glimpse of the Estonian countryside.

More information about Let’s Do It! and World Cleanup 2012 can be found at www.letsdoitworld.org.

Vienna Convention Bureau to certify Green Meetings

The Vienna Convention Bureau supports sustainable action and environmentally friendly conference tourism. As a licensee of the Austrian EcoLogo, it is now authorized not only to assist conferences in matters relating to environmental impact, but also to certify them as “Green Meetings”.

The ecological footprint left by a congress has long been an important issue for congress organizers and congress destinations world-wide. For a long time now, the Vienna Tourist Board’s Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB) has advocated sustainability and responsible treatment of the environment. Now Nikolaus Berlakovich, Austria’s Minister for the Environment, has awarded the VCB the Austrian Green Meetings EcoLogo. This means that the bureau is now licensed to certify as Green Meetings conferences whose organizers take climate protection, regional value-added and social compatibility into account.

“Congresses of any size make an impact on the environment, whether it be due to their energy consumption, waste production, or CO2 emissions.
The Vienna Convention Bureau has set itself the task of raising awareness of sustainable action in the conference industry, and supports initiatives and projects involving the themes of green meetings, sustainability and corporate social res- ponsibility. As a licensee of the Austrian EcoLogo, we are not only pointing the way, but also aiming to enhance the competitiveness of Vienna as a congress city in the long term,” explains Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Convention Bureau.

The Green Meetings EcoLogo was created in the year 2009 by the Austrian Ministry of Life and the Consumers’ Association of Austria. In order to obtain certification, an organizer needs a licensee such as the Vienna Convention Bureau who can not only handle the formal certification process, but is also bound by strict environmental protection regulations.

Additional benefit in the long term

Karin Stattmann is the person responsible for handling the certification process through the Vienna Convention Bureau (tel.: +43–1–211 14-528, e-mail: karin.stattmann@vienna.info). Karin is the point of contact for all congress organizers wishing to have their events in Vienna certified as Green Meetings. “We have clearly seen the steadily growing interest of customers, and this will result in other Vienna providers, such as hotels, congress centers and PCOs, qualifying as certification bodies in order to remain competitive,” predicts Karin. She is also quick to point out another aspect:

“The know-how which international customers gain as a result of the certification process in Vienna is also an excellent basis on which to handle their events abroad in line with the same criteria, thus applying the principles of the Austrian Green Meeting certificate. This additional benefit should not be underestimated – in the long term it can only reinforce the sustainability effect.”

Besides the Vienna Convention Bureau, the following companies in Vienna are also certification bodies for Green Meetings:

• Austropa/Interconvention
• RAM Consulting
• Hannah’s Plan
• Hotel Modul

The first ‘Green key’ labels for accommodation in the Brussels Region are awarded

There are increasing concerns about sustainability in tourism these days. The growing number of different ecolabels and other certificates run the risk of causing confusion among organisations who are considering labelling. To respond to the interest expressed by the hotel industry, as well as by other kinds of tourist establishments in the Brussels-Capital Region, Christos Doulkeridis, Brussels’ Minister for Tourism, was keen to introduce a clear, recognisable label. “Ever since I took on this role, I wanted to support a label or a certification system to reduce our ecological impact and secure Brussels’ position as a sustainable destination in 2014″, explains Christos Doulkeridis. At the end of a period of reflection and analysis, the international “Green Key” label was chosen, represented in Wallonia and in Brussels by the Fédération Inter-Environnement Wallonie (IEW).

As a reminder, it was in January 2011 that, on the initiative of Christos Doulkeridis, a “Green Key” labelling programme officially began in Brussels. A pilot scheme that took place in 2010 (with the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel) helped to hone the methods and tools needed to support the programme. In March 2011, Brussels’ panel of judges responsible for awarding the “Green Key” label gave it to a second applicant: the Radisson Blu EU Hotel. Then in October seven more candidates in Brussels were awarded the label. So to date, Brussels has 9 “Green Key” businesses. A number of other hotels, guesthouses and accommodation establishments for young people have expressed a keen interest in the “Green Key” label, and are likely to apply for it in due course.

To be awarded this label, successful candidates must meet different criteria regarding general environmental management, the involvement of employees, environmental information for customers (documents, appropriate signage etc.), water management, housekeeping and cleaning, energy management, waste management, food, nature-based activities, office administration, the interior environment and green spaces. The label combines environmental performance criteria (strictly ecolabel criteria) with environmental management criteria. “The “Green Key” label is really widely used, and growing fast on an international level”, Christos Doulkeridis points out. Created in 1994, its goal is to be independent and neutral, because it is supported by a network of NGOs. Furthermore, it has solid roots in France, the home of most of Brussels’ visitors.

The “Green Key” also helps to accelerate the promotional efforts made by BBL (Bond Beter Leefmilieu), Toerisme Vlaanderen and IEW in the Flemish and Francophone areas of the country, thus improving the profile of the label throughout Belgium and increasing consistency across the country when it comes to environmental labelling for the tourist industry, by adopting a single label that covers the whole nation.

In the presence of Nicolas DUBROCARD, international coordinator of the “Green Key” label Christos Doulkeridis, Minister-President of the Francophone Brussels Government (COCOF), who is responsible for tourism in the region, the first official “Green Key” certificates for the accommodation sector in the Brussels Region were awarded. Seven candidates – 5 hotels and 2 Bed&Breakfasts – were given the label: the hotels NH Grand Sablon, NH Stephanie, Aloft Brussels Schuman, Ibis Bruxelles Gare du Midi and Four Points by Sheraton ; and the B&Bs, Opale and Van Lerberghe.

This initiative is also supported by the Fédération Inter-Environnement Wallonie, the FEE’s official partner for Brussels and Wallonia, in close collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles Tourisme (WBT), VisitBrussels, Brussels Booking Desk (BBD) and professional associations including Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), Hostels in Brussels and Bed & Brussels as well as the Brussels tourism authorities within the COCOF.

Ever greener

Denmark is renowned for its leading work in sustainable events and meetings. By aiming to certify the sustainability of Denmark’s EU Presidency in 2012, the country hopes to demonstrate that it is possible to have growth and be sustainable at the same time, without incurring extra costs.

Germany number one for sustainability and green meetings

Frankfurt /Main / Las Vegas, October 12, 2011 — Germany has the largest market worldwide in virtually all fields of environmental technology and is one of the most important locations for the industry. For example, the country is number one in the field of renewable energies: Germany is the world export leader for recycling and sustainable water technologies. In addition, with more than 14 percent of globally available capacities, the German wind energy industry is the largest in the world and sets standards for research and development.

Green meetings – a competitive advantage of the German meetings and conventions industry

Germany’s expertise in this field is also one of the distinctive competitive advantages of the German meetings and conventions industry: Many companies in various fields of business have realized that sustainable practices are an image booster and offer sound economic advantages.

German congress providers integrate climate-friendly measures in their entire preparation, implementation, and follow-up work for events. They range from eco-friendly travel to the venue and comprehensive recycling through purchasing local foodstuffs, to using leftovers to produce energy and converting car fleets.

The German Convention Bureau (GCB) offers practical support for staging green meetings on its website www.germany-meetings.com. There you will find a list of existing certificates and best practices of hotels and convention centers.

Staged together by the GCB and European Association of Event Venues (EVVC), the greenmeetings and events conference in early March 2011 showed that awareness of green practices and climate protection has reached the German meetings, conventions and events industry. Around 400 delegates from all fields of the industry discussed the role of sustainability for the meetings and congress sector for two days. Another 200 registered participants were reached by the virtual tie-in event of the conference, which made its debut on the Internet two weeks later.

Excellent standards for venues in Germany

According to the results of the Meeting & Event Barometer, over one-quarter of the interviewed meeting hotels, convention centers and venues in Germany (27.4 percent) have already integrated a management system with a green concept for all business activities.

Best practice examples

One example is the darmstadtium in Hessen. Thanks to making comprehensive use of geothermal energy, biomass and solar energy, the science and convention center in Darmstadt runs almost entirely on renewable energy sources. In late 2010 it received the Green Globe eco-label.

The event center of the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG) at Schloss Montabaur in the Westerwald region, which opened in April 2011, is the first venue in Germany to achieve energy independence thanks to state-of-the-art technology.

In the German capital, the Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz has been setting new standards for sustainability since October 2010. The hotel solely uses energy from renewable sources. Energy-saving lamps throughout the entire house and the use of district heating and cooling lower consumption. This is the first hotel in Germany to be awarded the EU ecolabel and silver medal for sustainable building.

Deutsche Bahn’s Umwelt-Plus event ticket offers all attendees of large events carbon-free travel to the venue. This will get delegates comfortably and swiftly to the destination at a fixed price. Deutsche Bahn’s green campaign is titled “DB Eco Program.“ This is a climate protection program featuring more than 20 different activities DB is using to lower its worldwide specific carbon emissions by 20 percent from 2006 to 2020 in all parts of the group.

The German Convention Bureau (GCB) based in Frankfurt /Main, markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events, and incentives both on a national and international level, and is the place to contact for all customers who are planning events in Germany.

Its 230 members include leading hotels, convention centers, and destinations, rental car firms, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and conventions industry. Maritim Hotels, the SevenCenters of Germany and darmstadtium science and convention center are Preferred Partners of the GCB. As Strategic Partners, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Deutsche Bahn AG and the German National Tourist Board (DZT) support the work of the GCB.

The GCB, an interface between organizers of meetings and conventions and suppliers of the German meetings market, offers advice and support for planning and organizing events, and provides contacts and addresses. Its website www.germany-meetings.com features an online search facility for meeting venues, newsletters, Germany guides, and a lot more.

Bled Strategic Forum 2011 – A Model Green Event

Bled Strategic Forum 2011, taking place on 9 an 10 September in Bled, was the first large international event organised under the principles of the ‘Green for events’ programme, launched by Sava Hoteli Bled in order to offer conference organisers an opportunity to take into account various environmental and sustainable criteria when planning and organising their events. The actual environmental impact of the event was measured in a detailed carbon footprint analysis.

The analysis, the results of which will be known in October, will assess the effectiveness of the activities to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and point out any problematic points which still require attention. Following the analysis, a goal to further reduce the carbon footprint during next year’s event will be set and additional measures will be planned to achieve this goal. www.hotelibled.com

The world’s largest conference & expo dedicated to green buildings will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2011 /CNW/ – From October 4 – 7, 2011, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will hold its first Greenbuild International Conference & Expo outside of the U.S., at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). For three days, the international green building event comes alive with programming, workshops and a vast exhibition floor, providing attendees an unrivaled opportunity to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products and network with other professionals.

Not surprisingly for a conference dedicated to green buildings, the environmental standards are to the highest order. Greenbuild’s mandatory green guidelines cover everything from an exhibitor’s sustainability policy, to ensuring booths measure up for air-quality, to minimizing the impact of collateral and shipping materials. The USGBC’s demanding standards also applied to the choice of venue, as it sought a facility aligned with its mandate and values.

According to Kimberley Lewis, the USGBC’s Vice President of Conferences & Events, “Toronto stood out to us for this year’s show because of the growing number of green buildings, the strong Canadian Green Building Council infrastructure and the size of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is ideally located in the heart of the city, with numerous hotels, restaurants and other amenities within arm’s reach.”

“We are delighted to welcome the USGBC and Greenbuild to our green building. When it comes to MTCC’s environmental effort, our mantra is continuous improvement, so we’re looking forward to learning from the experts in this field”, said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the MTCC.

More than 22,000 people are expected to attend Greenbuild, generating a positive impact on the local economy of over $58 million from delegate spending.

Victoria’s Business Events Industry Leads the Way in ‘Being Green’

Victoria’s leading Business Events suppliers are making dramatic improvements when it comes to promoting and implementing green policies, according to the Melbourne’s ‘Green Credentials’ Report 2011 released today.

Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), which publishes the report, said the results highlight the significant progress being made when it comes to caring for the environment.

“This year’s Report saw a six per cent increase in the number of Business Events suppliers participating and heralded some exceptional results,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Significantly, businesses reported a marked increase in the quality of their waste management, particularly in relation to paper reduction procedures and recycling programs.

“Ultimately, the Report illustrates how a focus on sustainability not only contributes towards an improved environment, but makes for better business as well.”

MCVB’s audit, which was undertaken online between October 2010 and April 2011, requested and collated information pertaining to water, waste and energy management, sustainability programs, strategic implementation, accolades received and projects to be completed.

Highlights of the 2011 Report include:

• 100 per cent of participants have implemented paper reduction procedures by communicating electronically, a 78 per cent increase on the previous Report
• 100 per cent of participants have a recycling program in place for paper, glass, bottles and print cartridges, a 12 per cent increase on the previous Report
• 94 per cent of participants actively switch off computers, lights and air conditioning when not in use, a 58 per cent increase on the previous Report
• 91 per cent of participants use energy efficient light globes in their workplace, a 39 per cent increase on the previous Report
• 89 per cent of participants have dual flush toilets, a 72 per cent increase on the previous Report
• 73 per cent of participants participate in Earth Hour, a 68 per cent increase on the previous Report.

“MCVB’s own contributions to sustainability are also highlighted in the Report and include the ‘Event Carbon Calculator’, a low carbon impact incentive travel website and a ‘Green Check List’ in the Melbourne Planner’s Guide,” Ms Chipchase said.

“It was these initiatives which were recognised at April’s prestigious national Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) awards, where MCVB received the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility – Over 30 Employees’ award.

“At MCVB, we strive to lead by example by demonstrating that we are committed to sustainable practice in the Business Events industry.”

MCVB first launched Melbourne’s ‘Green Credentials’ Report in 2008, making it the first ‘green’ audit undertaken by an Australian Convention Bureau.

Green product line in Scandinavia developed by Kuoni Destination Management

Kuoni Destination Management has set up programmes for the incentive market with a focus on sustainability. The activities cause minimal burden to the environment, in line with the company’s focus on Corporate Responsibility.

Tampere, Finland, and Copenhagen, Denmark are the two chosen destinations for the new green programmes in Scandinavia. The city Tampere is located between two lakes. The rapids linking them are an important power source for generating electricity. The city pays special attention to environment conservation and is an excellent destination for large congresses or smaller incentive tours. It is home to Finland’s leading congress and concert centre, the Tampere Hall. Some of the sustainable options in this destination are:

• Reduce CO₂emissions by staying in an environmentally friendly hotel and walking instead of driving to the Tampere Hall, which has versatile facilities to host events of different kinds and sizes.
• Arrange CO₂emission free forest or lake activities: mountain biking; frisbee; golf; rock climbing; nordic walking; ice fishing; canoe tour or church boat (traditional Finnish long rowing boat) competition.
• Take a survival course in the forest surrounding this lively city, which has a landscape dominated by valleys and gorges formed during the Ice Age, and is home of the Siberian flying squirrel.

Copenhagen is considered as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities. The water in the inner harbour is so clean that one can swim in it, and 36% of all citizens commute to work by bicycle. Since the year 2000, Copenhagen has massively invested in cultural facilities as well as infrastructure and there has been a new wave of successful designers, chefs and architects. The new programme includes:

• A visit to the self-proclaimed autonomous community of Christiania. In the community’s close network, residents have a responsibility for the area’s development and condition.
• Choice of sustainable hotels, facilities and restaurants for your meeting.
• Kayak Polo as a teambuilding activity.
• Travel by bio diesel coach to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art outside Copenhagen, where the interaction between art, nature and the museum architecture is unique.

Marriott International Named “Greenest” Hotel Company in UK

Company Ranks Ninth in The Sunday Times Best Green Companies in Britain List 2011

Marriott International has been named the ‘greenest’ hotel company in the United Kingdom by retaining its top ten position in The Sunday Times 60 Best Green Companies in Britain list for 2011.

Marriott, achieving a ranking of ninth on the list, has also won the award for ‘Best Employee Environmental Engagement’ for the second year running, in addition to becoming the only hotel company in Britain to reach the top ten ranking in the poll.

Marriott International branded hotels in the UK have invested considerably in their environmental programmes and initiatives; achieving three prestigious certifications – the Carbon Trust Standard for all of the UK properties, the Audubon International Co-operative Sanctuary for 10 hotel and country clubs and Green Tourism Business awards for 25 hotels.

Committed to protecting the environment around the world, Marriott’s global environmental goals include working towards the ‘greening’ of its multi-billion dollar supply chain, further reducing energy and water consumption by 25 percent per available room by 2017, creating green construction standards for hotel developers, educating employees and guests to support the environment and investing in innovative conservation initiatives including rainforest protection and water conservation.

“This is a tremendous achievement as we strive to create a sustainable environment for both our guests and associates. I congratulate each of our hotels in the United Kingdom for their continued innovation and remarkable efforts to do business in an environmentally responsible manner and thank them for helping us to progress toward our goals,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.

Marriott topped the category of ‘Best for Employee Environmental Engagement’ through an ongoing programme of employee activities, offering Marriott associates the opportunity to give back to their local communities through clean-up and regeneration projects around the country. Associates also participate in environmental training and are actively encouraged to contribute their own energy saving ideas and participate in programmes such as Cycle2Work.

Despite experiencing one of the coldest winters on record, Marriott’s 58 hotels in the United Kingdom were still able to achieve a reduction of 3% in carbon emissions in 2010 and 2011 and the effective implementation of recycling schemes has enabled a significant number of hotels to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill to zero.

In addition, Marriott hotel guests can participate in Marriott’s environmental practices by reusing bathroom towels during their stay, turning the lights off when leaving their room and recycling. Also, guests who wish to support rainforest preservation or offset their hotel have the opportunity to make a donation via their hotel bill to Marriott’s conservation project in the Juma Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil, to preserve 1.4 million acres of rainforest.

Hertz Helps Londoners get on Their Electric Bikes in Car Rental Industry First

Hertz, the world’s largest general use car rental brand, has now become the first major car rental company to offer electric bicycles for rental, with the introduction of Ultra Motor electric bicycles to London (http://www.hertz.co.uk/electricbikes). Visitors and residents alike can now explore the capital by electric cycling with the fun Fast4ward Edge and A2B Hybrid 24 models, at up to speeds of 15.5mph. Twelve bikes are available for daily rental from Hertz’s Marble Arch location, for GBP20 per day. With every electric bike hire, customers will receive full training, a lock, optional helmet and a copy of the AA Leisure Guide to London with suggested bike rides around the capital.

The Fast4ward Edge is a folding bike which offers the choice of using throttle and cruise power or to pedal, while the A2B Hybrid 24 has a sensor that detects the amount of pedalling and applies power in tune with that pace. Both models provide a fun and safe way to explore London in the fresh air, allowing riders to cover more ground than on foot or using a traditional pedal bike.

The Ultra Motor electric bicycles can be easily parked and locked to bike racks so customers can use them as a mode of transport to reach London landmarks, or to explore London parks in a fun and unique way. The bikes are also perfect for people who are put off cycling up big hills or facing strong headwinds, or want a change from pedal bikes.

The Fast4ward Edge will assist up to 25 miles and the A2B 24 electric battery will assist for up to 40 miles, depending on the rider’s weight and luggage. Bikes are supplied fully charged and a charger will be supplied with all rentals. If the bike needs to be recharged it can simply be plugged into any mains socket.

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International, commented: “Whether you’re a Londoner wanting to explore hidden treasures or find new places to shop, or a tourist wanting to see all London has to offer, the Ultra Motor bikes are a fast, green and economical mode of transport. Always committed to providing our customers with a range of mobility solutions, we are pleased to offer electric bikes for an easy and fun way to explore the capital.”

Mark Loveridge, UK Managing Director, Ultra Motor, added: “It’s really exciting to be providing the general public with the Fast4ward Edge and the A2B 24 with Hertz, as it means that more people will be able to experience the bikes and enjoy a really fun way to explore London. You don’t need to worry about running out of pedal power on your day out on a bike, as the electric battery will be your new best friend by helping you up steep hills or through strong headwinds.”

The introduction of electric bikes complements Hertz’s broader Global EV eco-mobility program, which is championing an electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle mobility ecosystem that incorporates transportation options and a charging station grid for ease of use. As the world’s largest general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers – urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations – to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of this strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGO’s, corporations and other stakeholders.

Secretary of State chooses ACC Liverpool to announce major green technology investment plans

The Government has underscored its commitment to the green economy with two major investments in renewable energy technology, which was announced at a press conference on 26^th May at ACC Liverpool, recognised as one of Europe’s greenest meetings and events venues.

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced the start of a competition to form an Offshore Renewable Energy technology and innovation centre. The new centre will focus on technologies for offshore wind, wave and tidal power.

The landmark Liverpool venue was picked by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills for the announcement, due to its sustainability credentials which include, five 20 metre low-noise wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, zero waste to landfill and ISO 14001 accreditation.

ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, was built with efficiency and sustainability in mind and represents the only purpose-built interconnected arena and convention centre in the UK.

Further reinforcing the venue’s position as one of the UK’s most sustainable venues, the Renewable UK Association held its BWEA Offshore Wind annual conference and exhibition at ACC Liverpool in 2010, and will return in 2011 on 29^th June for a two day event. The event will welcome approximately 2500 delegates and 200 exhibitors and this year requires a significant increase in exhibition space, reflecting the growing interest in the sustainable agenda.

Bob Prattey, CEO, ACC Liverpool said, “We are honoured to have been chosen as the venue for such an important announcement for the low carbon economy and it is fantastic recognition for us as a venue to see so many high profile people returning time and time again.”

Judges impressed by increasingly high standard of IMEX Green Meetings Awards – International AIDS Society and Canada Media Marketplace triumph

The International AIDS Society (IAS), the leading global association of HIV professionals working to end the HIV pandemic, was presented with the prestigious Green Meetings Award (large meeting category) at the IMEX Gala Dinner. The award was made in recognition of the XVIII International Aids Conference held in Vienna, Austria, in July 2010, which had 18,000 participants. Organised to raise awareness and increase knowledge of developments in AIDS research and policy, the event was given highest praise by the judges for its delivery of green and CSR initiatives.

“It is with great pride that we accept this accolade following the commendable efforts of all who were involved in working to make this event as green and socially responsible as possible”, said Jelena Milovic, Congress and Exhibition Manager at IAS, who collected the award from IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom.

“It is all the more significant to consider that the very groups that our association works with globally in the fight against AIDS and HIV, where the victims are most often from developing nations, are the people that can benefit so much when organisations choose to adopt socially-responsible practices. While there is always more to do, it is warming to see that the meetings and events industry is working towards sustainability and by formally recognising these efforts with its prestigious Green Awards, IMEX is helping to raise awareness of the excellent work that event organisers across the industry are contributing to a better future.”

The IMEX Green Meeting Awards are presented in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC). The Awards set stringent standards, judging applicants against their ability to demonstrate innovative efforts to significantly minimise the environmental impact of a meeting or conference. A judging panel, which consists of senior industry experts and GMIC members, examines a variety of success measures. They include energy efficiency, air and water quality, water conservation, waste minimisation and environmental purchasing criteria. Judges also ask applicants to explain their economic indicators, if and how their meeting helped commitment to change within the local community, and also how it aided conservation.

Savings of $600,000

In the case of IAS, the judges were particularly impressed with how they had not only amassed savings in excess of US$600,000 by adopting greener policies to deliver the event, but had also made huge contributions to both local and global projects. These included Action Carbone, an organisation supporting sustainable projects in developing countries; Township Patterns, an NGO which, in partnership with independent female sewing cooperatives in Cape Town townships produces and markets eco-friendly products and Austria Runde Sache, a recycling programme in Vienna.

Judges noted the event’s exemplary programme for carbon off-setting, promoting local transport services, donating left-over food to the local homeless community, reducing waste by reusing and recycling materials together with numerous other environmental measures within the venue itself.

Also credited on the night, the IMEX Green Meetings Small to Medium Meeting Award went to Canada Media Marketplace for its 2010 San Francisco conference which had the goal of achieving maximum positive media coverage for Canada within the United States.

268 participants representing destinations, properties and attractions throughout Canada as well as travel writers and media from the United States, were in attendance when the Canadian Tourist Commission hosted this opportunity for its partners to connect with the US market. The event was staged in April 2010 and was designed to reflect Canada’s image as a clean, green, naturally beautiful place to visit.

Three organisations partnered to make the event a success: On The Mark Productions, Creative Conventions & Events and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Together they set about developing a programme that could exceed sustainability targets across the board. Judges praised the event for its consistently high performance in the areas of waste reduction, sourcing local products and materials, energy conservation and carbon off-setting. Canada Media Marketplace was also praised for creating a legacy that has continued to develop over subsequent years

DoubleTree Hotel Portland wins 2011 IMEX Green Supplier Gold Award – Vancouver Convention Centre takes honourable Silver

The DoubleTree Hotel Portland, Oregon, USA, was announced as winner of the prestigious IMEX Green Supplier Gold Award at the IMEX Gala Dinner .

The Green Supplier Award recognises environmental excellence and innovation within the meetings industry and represents the highest accolade for environmental responsibility among meetings and events industry suppliers. Within this category, both Gold and Silver Awards are presented to well-deserving winners.

In presenting the Gold Award to Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Executive Director, GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council), who accepted on DoubleTree’s behalf, IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, commented on the impressive standard of entries received in this category this year: “It demonstrates a clear goal across the sector to drive environmental change and ensure that this remains at the forefront of all that we do. Awareness of environmental issues continues to take precedence today and those suppliers that have green credentials listed as a high priority gain a notable advantage over their competitors,” he explained. “Well done to DoubleTree Hotel Portland for setting an exemplary standard in this category.”

Impressive energy savings

Gala Dinner guests learned heard how DoubleTree Hotel Portland has reduced its energy consumption by 32%. In a continued bid to improve air quality, the hotel also aims to reduce its carbon footprint size by 100 metric tonnes each year. Furthermore, DoubleTree Hotel Portland invests $25,000 to subsidise Portland’s unique TriMet Passport, offering employees the use of reduced rate public transportation.

Since offering this programme in 1999, approximately 82,500 gallons of gas have been saved. In 2005, the hotel partnered with the City of Portland “Portland Composts!” programme and has reduced waste sent to landfill from 92% in 2004 to just 37% in 2010. It was these impressive statistics that caught the attention of the judging panel to help DoubleTree Hotel, Portland scoop the Gold Award.

Commenting for the DoubleTree Hotel, Steve Faulstick, the property’s General Manager, said: “Winning the Green Supplier Award is a great honour for us. Being recognised on an international level for our local sustainability programmes reinforces to our staff that the innovations and efforts they make every day are impactful and meaningful. Seeing the growth in demand for sustainable business for both our customers and employees is encouraging, and we are proud to be at the forefront of providing them that culture and experience.”

LEED Platinum certified centre

The 2011 Green Supplier Silver Award was given to Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre in recognition of its commitment to cement its position as an industry leader in environmental sustainability; from design stages through to using the latest green technologies and the adoption of extensive green practices.

“We are honoured to be recognised by IMEX for leadership in environmental excellence and innovation,” said Claire Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Convention Centre. “Environmental sustainability is not only at the core of our day-to-day operations, it is strongly reflected in the unique design of our facility. As the world’s only LEED Platinum certified convention centre, we’re committed to our ongoing sustainability efforts and to help set new standards in our industry.”

The Green Supplier Award continues to be one of the most sought-after and strongly competed in the industry and was developed by IMEX and GMIC to recognise environmental excellence and innovation amongst industry suppliers.

Busch Systems Launches Composting Initiative at IRC Annual Conference

At the Indiana Recycling Coalition’s (IRC) Annual Conference, which ran from May 10th – May 12th, Busch Systems International launched an initiative to jump-start composting efforts in the mid-west.

By handing out kitchen composting containers to attendees, Busch Systems is attempting to raise awareness of the need to include composting as a key element in any recycling program. Recycling Consultant Jarrod Cameron states, “Composting is the next logical step in our national recycling efforts. Reducing the impact on our landfills will only serve our efforts to preserve resources for this, and future generations”.

The IRC is continuing this effort by distributing compost containers to local school programs in an effort to increase composting efforts throughout the area. The hope is that with an increase in awareness, perhaps more municipalities will begin including organic collection in their curb side recycling programs.

States Cameron, “You can either pay to have your garbage hauled away or you can put it to use in your own back yard. By choosing composting, you are choosing the sensible option.”

B GREEN

On the occasion of the IMEX International Trade Fair in Frankfurt 2011, the Estoril Congress Centre (ECC) will be sponsoring IMEX´s Social Responsibility stand, providing all furniture made of recycled cardboard. This stand is dedicated to sustainability and CSR, and there will be throughout the fair several panels and presentations on best practices.

After winning IMEX’09 Green Exhibitor Award, for “its combination of ingenuity and inventive thinking in stand design with a concerted effort to think outside the box” (as referred to by the judging panel during the Award presentation at IMEX Gala Dinner) this year ECC invites all visitors to place a paper flower on its stand wall, underpinning a personal commitment to reduce carbon footprint. ECC will use cork panels on the floor, one of Portugal’s main export product (100% natural and biodegradable) along with cardboard stand furniture. The stand is provided by EcoWall, manufacturer of 100% ecological stands.

The cardboard stand will be brought back to Estoril to be reused at ECC. Company information will be reduced to one USB, a 4 page leaflet regarding its Green services. All leftover material will also return to Estoril in the end of the fair.

The ECC team also chose to stay at a nearby accommodation, walking 15 minute to and from the IMEX grounds, and offset all carbon emissions from travel, hotel and merchandising transport, with e)mission – a Portuguese carbon company. This business partner is measuring ECC carbon emissions from its activity, within the commitment for 2011 to obtain the ‘emission neutral’ certification.

First company to introduce electric car rental in Copenhagen

It is now possible to rent an electric car for private use in Copenhagen. The car rental company Sixt is behind this new green initiative and right now they have an offer you can’t refuse!

Hamburg, European Green Capital 2011, the Hotspot for International Events on Climate Protection

HAMBURG, Germany, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Holding the title of European Green Capital 2011, Hamburg is the hotspot for climate experts from all over the world: international trade-fairs and top-class conferences will be dealing with renewable-energies , responsible consumption and concepts for enhancing sustainability in Europe’s metropolitan regions.

One of the first highlights will be the “goodgoods” trade fair (27 – 29 May), Germany’s first major trade fair for sustainable consumer-products. The “goodgoods” will showcase “good” products and services from the fields of living, fashion, technology, mobility, nutrition and health. (http://www.goodgoods.de)

A highlight in the field of green-technologies will be the H2Expo (8 – 9 June), an international conference and trade-fair, presenting recent trends in hydrogen-technology, fuel-cell-technologies, and topics such as electrical-drives and hybrid-systems. (http://www.H2Expo.com)

September will see the largest international gathering of the photovoltaic solar energy industry. The EU PVSEC (5 to 9 September) is the world’s most important forum for academics, the industry and professionals from the photovoltaic-branches. (http://www.photovoltaic-conference.com)

From 14 to 15 September, international port and environment experts will meet at Hamburg’s Green Port Congress, which will focus on the question of how modern European ports can be operated in a sustainable fashion. (http://www.greenport.com/congress)

A magnet for visitors will be the Hamburg Climate Week (23 to 30 September), during which Hamburg will showcase its expertise regarding climate protection. An interactive theme-park in Hamburg’s city centre will inform visitors about topics relating to climate change. (http://www.klima.hamburg.de/klimawoche).

The Intelligent Cities Expo (8 to 10 November) will mark the closing of the Green Capital year. Politicians, urban planners, energy suppliers and experts from the field of transport, finance and communication will discuss approaches to energy efficiency, resource protection and sustainability. (http://www.intelligentcitiesexpo.com/)

One of the decisive factors for Hamburg receiving the title was the city’s climate protection scheme. As a growing port and industrial hub, Hamburg has successfully reduced its CO2 emissions by 15 percent since 1990. By the year 2020, CO2 emissions are planned to be further reduced by 40 percent. (http://www.hamburggreencapital.eu)

NH Hotels Announces Sponsorship of Corrente in Movimento

MADRID, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — NH Hotels has announced its sponsorship of the ‘Corrente in movimento’ (power on the road) project to promote renewable energy.

The project will see a CO2-free tour of Italy in an electric car discovering the latest innovations in renewable energy, a field in which Italian technology is at the forefront. This project is perfectly in line with the ideas and aspirations of NH Hotels, as the company has been dedicated to environmental and social themes for some time.

The electric-powered vehicle will visit the whole of Italy, from North to South, to provide a meeting point for local communities between the world of research and production.

The aims of ‘Corrente in movimento’ are to promote the use of renewable energy sources in Italy, showcasing cutting-edge Italian technology in the field of renewable energy in the SME sector. It also aims to unite all of Italy from North to South on the theme of renewable energy and sustainable transportation, to encourage contact between the world of research and the Italian business sector in the renewable energy field, to provide citizens with information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative transportation and to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of a trip around Italy in an electric vehicle. Finally, it aims to promote the participation of municipalities in the Covenant of Mayors, and consequently draw up and implement an Action Plan.

Each stage of the trip will have a specific theme (solar photovoltaic power, wind power, biomass, hydroelectric power, etc.) and there will be guest appearances en-route from scientists and energy experts, showbiz personalities, sportsmen and women and cultural figures who have shown interest in environmental issues and alternative energy.

There will also be radio and television interviews with citizens, authorities, researchers and entrepreneurs.

An information desk will be set up everywhere the vehicle stops which will ensure free advice and information will be provided to citizens on the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and best practices for sustainable transportation.

The electric tour will begin on May 8th and end on June 20th 2011, starting and ending in Rome and visiting Genoa, Milan, Brescia, Trieste, Ancona, Naples and more. The NH facilities with parking lots equipped for charging electric cars such as NH Bologna Villanova, NH Cavalieri in Pisa, NH Milano2 and NH Vicenza are just some of the stops on the tour.

BEBEE – Slovenia Green Meetings

In  its  essence  Slovenia  is  a  green  destination.  With  around  60 %  of  its  surface  covered  in forest, Slovenia is the second most forested country in Europe. Just 60 kilometres from the capital  city  Ljubljana  one  can  even  find  virgin  forest.  Slovenia  is  among  the  most biologically diverse countries in the world. Also due to the indigenous  species  of  the Carnolian  bee,  Slovenia  can  be  portrayed  as  a  European  biotic  park.  Indeed,  one  of  the most  prevalent  feature  of  Slovenia,  attracting  its  guests,  is  its clean, unspoiled environment characterized by calm, relaxing atmosphere. Visitors hence perceive Slovenia as an environmentally attractive destination. Increasingly, Slovenian meeting and incentive providers focus on implementing sustainable business practices and development of innovative sustainable products and services. For instance, meetings in Slovenia can be held in conference hotels awarded with Green Globe Certificate or EU Flower.

Delegates can enjoy culinary arts, which are based on certified  eco  ingredients,  while  tasting  organic  Slovenian  wines along with drinking water directly  from  the  tap.  On  an  incentive  trip  or  study  tour,  delegates can experience authentic local traditions presenting Slovenian history and cultural heritage. As Jana Apih, Director of Toleranca Marketing, states “it is our responsibility  to  preserve  the  meeting destination of Slovenia so that  future destinations will be able to hold their conferences, congresses, incentives, events in an honestly green destination.” With a view to preserving natural assets of Slovenia, the Slovenian Convention Bureau launched  “BeBee”  campaign.

The  BeBee  campaign  aims  to  increase  the number of bee colonies, slowing down the negative trend reflected in the loss of bee colonies. Caring for the  bees  shows  our  concern  for  nature,  clean  environment  and  quality of life. In this manner, the BeBee campaign represents one piece of the puzzle in our aspirations of preserving nature.  Accordingly, the Slovenian Convention Bureau became an annual patron of the Beekeeping Association of Slovenia and its Carnolian Bees Conservation Trust. The Carnolian Bees Conservation Trust aims to protect Carnolian bees and promote the tradition of beekeeping in the Slovenia. In collaboration, the BeBee campaign enables one beekeepers’    club  in  a  Slovenian  primary  school  to  set  up  a  beehive to learn breeding the bee  colonies.

Thus,  “the  BeBee  campaign  presents  a  strategic  measure  of  the  Slovenian meeting and incentive community with a potential to have a considerable impact on environmental protection and social wellbeing,” says Miha Kovačič, Director of Slovenian Convention Bureau.    Meeting professionals, being aware of environmental and social issues  of  global warming, climate change, discrimination,  social  exclusion  and  poverty,  can take an active role in bringing positive  results  for  the  local  as well  as global society. “The BeBee campaign calls upon meeting professionals to support the work of the beekeeper’s club in increasing  the  number  of  bee  colonies,  and  thus  sign  the  BeBee  petition,” says Gorazd Čad, Director of Go.Mice agency.

Nowadays, meeting planners can hold and delegates can attend meetings in Slovenia endowed with a wealth of natural resources and rich, local tradition.  So as to preserve the green character of Slovenia for future generations, meeting professionals can become actively involved in the “BeBee” campaign and thus make a positive step in environmental protection. To join the BeBee campaign, please visit http://www.bebee.slovenia-greenmeetings.si/bebee/. For more information on BeBee campaign and upcoming BeBee Facebook  game  we  kindly  invite  you  to  attend  the  BeBe  press  conference on Thursday 26 May, from 10:30 to 11:30, at IMEX in Symmetrie 4

IMEX America and MeetGreen launch sustainability plan

IMEX-GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council) Green Meetings Future Leaders Forum sets green agenda for next generation

As part of their sustainability partnership, IMEX America and MeetGreen® have now agreed the details of a sustainability plan for the new trade show for the international meetings, incentive travel and events industry, which debuts October 11-13 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.  Specialist consultants in sustainable meetings management, MeetGreen® have been tasked with advising on a series of measures that can be implemented to enhance sustainable performance across all aspects of the trade show.

As noted by Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO: “Our intention is to use this first year to benchmark our performance. The first year goal is to collect baseline information from our various venues and vendors and to use that data to build a solid sustainability strategy over the long-term.

Watch the Future Leaders Forum video

Detailed sustainability plan

The full sustainability plan covers the trade show venue, hotels, catering, print material, signage and carpeting, general service contractors and transportation. Some of the key measures at IMEX America will include Energy Star lighting plans; recycling of copper, aluminium, brass and heavy metals including extension cords and power supply cards plus recycling and reuse of waste wood, metal, plastic, cardboard, drywall, carpet padding, concrete, asphalt and glass. Electronic products will be donated to The Blind Center of Nevada, whilst leftover food product will be donated to the Las Vegas Mission every day. Through the Sands Expo, IMEX will also work with 209 local vendors, which will help to keep transportation emissions low and support the local economy.

Bauer continued: “IMEX America is committed to educating the meeting, incentive travel and events industry about sustainability issues and addressing these in a proactive, measured way. At IMEX America we will also have a Sustainability Center – powered by GMIC – where attendees will be able to pick up ‘green’ tips and best practice, as well as meeting experts and attending drop-in workshops.

“Through our sustainability plan, our intention is to develop a long-term relationship with our exhibitors, attendees, venues and vendors that will help build a successful show and increase our sustainability efforts for the future. We consider this a keystone in our strategy as a progressive organization at the heart of the global meetings industry.”

“Many of the key suppliers on this project have been receptive to seeing where they can improve or enhance their sustainability practices for this show.  Their willingness to engage in this way presents some fascinating learning opportunities and wonderful stories to share,” comments Amy Spatrisano, Principal, MeetGreen®

The IMEX Group already has a long-term partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), the premier global community solely dedicated to sustainability in the meetings and events industry.

‘Green’ Future Leaders Forum

Of the work that IMEX and GMIC cooperate on, one of the most important initiatives is the annual Green Meetings Future Leaders Forum. This event is designed to offer talented young students the chance to gain an unrivalled insight into how to build a successful career and to educate them on the green practices likely to shape their future careers and the industry as a whole.

Taking place on Sunday 20 February 2011 in Portland, Oregon, as part of the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference, this year’s participating students learned about strategic meetings management together with current sustainability frameworks and standards.

Carina Bauer concluded: “Our Future Leaders Forums are a joint initiative between MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and IMEX. They represent a possible life-changing experience for many of the students that take part.  Most come away with the knowledge and experience that sets them apart from the crowd when looking for that all important break-through into their dream job. The fact that our partnership with GMIC also gives us the scope to teach the next generation about green meetings is vitally important to the future health and growth of the industry worldwide.”

The first IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum during IMEX America will take place on October 12 and 13 2011. The Forum is one of 13 Future Leader Forums taking place worldwide each year.

For more about the Future Leaders Forum and to watch the video: http://www.imexamerica.com/futureleadersforum.html

For more environmental information about IMEX America and its partners see: http://www.imexamerica.com/sustainability.html

Biodiesel Industry Forum, 27-28 January 2011, London, UK

F.O. Licht’s Biodiesel Industry Forum gives you the latest insights into production and demand trends in biodiesel markets, supply and price forecasts for major feedstocks, sustainability and certification implementation and the major strategic changes facing the industry.

There are many issues for European biodiesel producers to overcome – but biodiesel is still easily the most important biofuel in the EU. This is your opportunity to analyse how biodiesel can meet the challenges of sustainability certification in the short term and how new technologies and feedstocks can secure market prospects in the long term.

Hear the outlook for consumption and trade of biodiesel, and assess what feedstock price trends are likely to mean for production margins in the year ahead. At the Biodiesel Industry Forum you can evaluate the size of the market implied by NREAPs, examine prospects for B10 and identify the impact that mandates, feedstock prices and imports are having on the industry.

Join industry decision makers in London to gain cutting-edge perspectives and ensure you are able to grow by developing biodiesel as a long term sustainable renewable energy.

Speakers

Javier Vila
Mananging Director
Bionet Europa, Spain

Kevin McGeeney
CEO
Star Supply, Switzerland

Swaroop Sarangan
VP Biofuels Group
Reliance Industries Limited, India

Oyvind Vessia
Policy Officer
DG Energy European Commission

Jim Woodger
Sales Account Manager
Renewable Energy & Chemicals, UK

Khoo Hock Aun
Chief Executive Officer
Cosmo Biofuels Group, Malaysia

Darab E Mistry
Director
GODREJ International Limited, UK

Claus Keller
Senior Commodities Analyst
F.O. Licht, Germany

David Omom
Senior Consultant
Poyry Energy Consulting, UK

Norbert Schmitz
Managing Director
Meo Carbon Solutions, Germany

Adrian Mason
Business Development Manager
Inspectorate, UK

Peter Hanratty
CEO
Fuelstock International, Mauritius

Gerhard Muggen
Managing Director
BTG Bioliquids BV, The Netherlands

Marc Delcourt
Cofounder and CEO
Global Bioenergies, France

Richard Stevens
Director, Research and Product
Development
CME Group

Aaron Berry
Head of Carbon and Sustainability
Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA), UK

Michel Bloch
Senior Business Development Manager
Axens, France

Alan Bullion
Business Analyst
Informa Agra, UK

“THE ESTORIL GREEN QUIZ”

During EIBTM International Trade Fair in Barcelona, on the 30th November 2010, the Estoril Congress Centre (ECC) will announce the Estoril Green Quiz and invite all hosted buyers to participate in a dynamic and educative action.

This quiz will run throughout the show, intending to convey valuable information about how to organize and develop sustainable events. Emphasis will be given to the unique services that the ECC offers its clients – CSR B Green, B Green Wellness, Event B Green, B Green Safe, B Green Carbon 0 - and highlighting the Green Fund Program (launched in May, at the International IMEX 2010 in Frankfurt).

The Green Fund Program is an incentive for more responsible practices in organizing events by stimulating the use of ECC’s Green services and tools. The ECC’s clients automatically have access to a fund generated by a percentage levied on the fee charged for hired space that can be used to contract the aforementioned Green services.

Copenhagen home of ‘World’s Greenest Hotel’

Wind turbines. Biomass. Electricity and hydrogen powered cars. Denmark is already renowned for its many climate initiatives. Now, Denmark can also pride itself of being home to the world’s greenest hotel. The world’s largest travel and tourism organization, Skål International in Sydney, Australia presented the Danish Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers with this year’s EcoTourism Award.

Technology, creativity and imagination

The EcoTourism Award highlights and acknowledges best practices within eco and sustainable tourism around the world. Indeed, technology as well as creativity and imagination have been used to create the carbon neutral Copenhagen Towers hotel building:

The largest facade integrated solar panel park in Northern Europe delivers electricity. Air condition runs on the first groundwater-based cooling and heating system in Denmark. Low energy light sources, light management and water saving are integrated everywhere. Shampoo bottles, tooth brushes and shower caps are bio-degradable. The restaurant uses local and organic raw materials, and food waste is turned into bio gas and fertilizer. Just to mention a few of the hotel’s many big and small climate friendly initiatives.

First carbon neutral hotel building in Denmark

The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers is first mover in many ways. It was the first hotel in Denmark to meet the standards of the EU Green Building Programme and the Danish Building Regulations for Low Class 2 buildings, as well as the first to have a carbon neutral hotel building.

Hotel guests lend a helping hand

Even the hotel guests are encouraged to lend a helping hand to the climate via a ride on the hotel’s electricity-producing bikes. Anyone who produces 10 kWh can enjoy a meal free of charge in the hotel’s Nordic restaurant.

“There is intense competition for the recognition inherited in the EcoTourism Award, and it is the first time this award goes to Denmark. I am confident that the reason behind our success is that our green way of thinking goes all the way – small and big initiatives side by side. We involve our guests in our climate friendly way of thinking and by that our green approach extends beyond the actual hotel stay”, says CEO Allan L. Agerholm, Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers.

FACTS

Skål International: World’s largest organization of travel and tourism professionals

The EcoTourism Award is presented by the world’s largest travel and tourism organisation, Skål International. Skål International was founded in 1932 in Paris and promotes global tourism and friendship.Today, Skål International has approximately 20,000 members in 89 nations.

EcoTourism Award: Presented to best practices within eco and sustainable tourism

The EcoTourism award was launched in year 2002, the UN ‘Year of Ecotourism and Mountains’. The aim is to highlight and acknowledge best practices within eco and sustainable tourism around the globe as well as to put emphasis on the importance of the interaction of the physical, cultural and social environment, the traveler’s responsibility and the need for active community participation for Ecotourism.

The judges electing the winner were independent representatives of important institutions or organisations dealing with eco and sustainable tourism: Luigi Cabrini, Director Sustainable Development of Tourism, UNWTO; Guido Bauer, C.E.O., Green Globe Certification; and Ed Roberts, EMA Sustainability Leader, Diversey.

This year’s EcoTourism Award was presented on Friday 8 October in Sydney, Australia.

Crowne Plaza’s energy saving initiatives in numbers

· From 5^th to 25^th floor, the hotel facades are covered by solar panels producing more than170,000 kWh a year – equivalent to the energy consumption of 55 private households.

· The first groundwater-based cooling and heating system in Denmark is expected to reduce the energy used for heating and cooling the hotel by almost 90 %.

· The overall result of all energy saving initiatives is a 53 % reduction in the hotel’s energy consumption and an estimated 1.4 tonnes yearly saving in the hotel’s carbon emission.

· The only carbon neutral hotel building in Denmark.

Milan: the National Congress of Pneumology goes green.

The greens meetings not only as an Anglo-Saxon experience: Italy, too, is beginning to move towards a sustainable approach.

The 11th National Congress of Pneumology (UIP 2010), which was held in late October in Milan, is an example of how even the world of the meetings can make a contribution to the issue of environment and social responsibility.

The relationship between respiratory health and air quality is certainly very strong, not by chance that the increase in allergy diseases in recent years was largely caused by a significant increase in air pollution (CO2, particulates, etc.).

The determination of the President of Congress and the Board, together with the sensitivity of AIM Group, has meant that the conference was characterized by significant “green” initiatives.

First, actions have been activated to minimize the paper through the use of on-line procedures and electronic devices, and where the press was strictly necessary was used recycled paper.

Bags made of natural materials (jute instead of plastic), recyclable material pens, recycled polyester laces for the badges, cardboard poster panels instead of plastic laminated ones, car pooling as a transfers solution…: the congress has exposed its green soul and the delegates have appreciated the initiative.

Finally, the congress has maintained an initiative of great social sensitivity: forty trees used in the exhibition were donated to the municipality and will be planted in Argelati Park, Milan.

A concrete contribution of pulmonary Italian doctors to the city air quality and to the welfare of the citizens .

Release of the new Green Globe Brochure

To meet Green Globe Certification staff from around the world, please schedule an appointment (wecare@greenglobe.com).

Baltimore’s Green Roof

Home to AIBTM, Baltimore and the Baltimore Convention Center, has put sustainable practices at the top of their agenda, attracting an increased number of meetings to the city. Research has shown that meeting planners in the US are more likely to choose cities with sustainable practices and polices.

The Baltimore Convention Center is taking major strides in their sustainable development by working towards a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification (LEED), issued by the Green Building Council. The most visible project is the transformation of the Center’s 27,497 square foot Outdoor Terrace into a “Green Roof”. Almost half of the space 12, 245 square feet will be set aside for vegetative roofing. The remaining space will be hardscape, a portion of which will include a water feature which will use the Center’s two current shallow pools with their self-contained recirculation water system. A portion of the vegetation planned for the project will require no maintenance or watering whatsoever.

Additionally, the roof will be home to a variety of flowers including Maryland’s own Black Eyed Susan, cone flowers, lavender and a host of other variety of flowering and non flowering plants as well as edible herbs. These will be used by the Center’s kitchens.

The benefits of this project include increased insulating efficiency that will result in a lower energy use, and increased roofing life, a reduction of roof maintenance, not to mention, an improved aesthetic appeal that will promote more use by attendees. Baltimore will benefit by a reduction in storm water runoff deposits causing a reduction in pollutants in streams, reservoirs, lakes and other systems.

Europcar Launches New Generation Electric Cars

LONDON, October 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Europcar, the European leader in car hire, has announced that the first new-generation electric vehicles to hit the European car hire market, the Peugeot iON and Citroen C-Zero, will be introduced in 2011. The new vehicles will allow Europcar customers to drive up to 150km with a fully charged battery. The vehicles will be silent and will not emit any CO2 or other pollutants, further enhancing their ecological benefit.

After the introduction of the two new models, Europcar will gradually install the infrastructure needed to recharge the batteries at its 2,500 car hire locations around Europe. This agreement enhances Europcar’s offering in terms of zero-emissions fleet and further illustrates the company’s commitment to promoting green mobility through green car hire ( http://www.europcar.co.uk/EBE/module/render/green-car-hire).

The agreement to launch the Peugeot iON and Citroen C-Zero into the car hire market was signed at the Paris Motor Show in the presence of PSA Peugeot Citreon’s Jean-Marc Gales, Executive Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and After Sales and Christian Peugeot, Central Marketing Director.

Philippe Guillemot, Chief Executive Officer of Europcar ( http://www.europcar.com/EBE/module/render/HOME) Group said: “We are proud of this new partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen because it is in keeping with Europcar’s core commitments to sustainable development and technological innovation. With this agreement, we want to further demonstrate our ability to innovate and contribute to the emergence of new mobility solutions.”

Europcar has been a pioneer in sustainable development since opening its first environmental station for electric cars in Paris in 1999 and it further strengthens its environmental strategy through this partnership.

Green Globe University Announces New Sustainability Training for Travel and Tourism Professionals

A Superlative Event

The NHA Hydrogen Conference and Expo is the largest hydrogen conference in the U.S. and the longest running annual hydrogen conference in the world.

This event will be your best opportunity of the year to learn about breakthroughs, progress on commercialization challenges and network over a few days with the brightest minds and business leaders in the industry.

Conference and Expo Fast Facts

• 1,000+ attendees
• 150+ speakers
• 100+ exhibitors
• 40+ conference sessions
• Several Dynamic, executive keynote addresses
• Many side events, including the popular Ride and Drive and tours

Plan now to join at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center, in the greater Washington, DC area, on February 13-16, 2011.

Dusit International GREEN MEETINGS Initiative

Dusit International has introduced “Green Credentials for Meeting Planners” which provides sustainable facilities and meeting package services to reduce the carbon footprint for their clients.

The programme embraces a wide range of environmental initiatives to contribute to saving energy and natural resources:

- Meeting room refreshment water is presented in pitchers with glasses and no plastic bottles
-Set air-conditioning to 24°C minimum
-Energy efficient light bulbs and reduction of unnecessary lighting
-Recycle points available in meeting rooms for glass, paper, plastic & aluminum items
- Recycled paper note pads available on request
-Energy saving menus
- Boxed lunch containers made of recycled content
-Locally sourced and seasonal menu items plus organic options
-Group Purchasing protocols to promote Green Credentials
-Eco-friendly cleaning products used in hotel and meeting facilities
-EarthCheck certification for all properties

In addition, Dusit International’s hotels and resorts in Thailand, Philippines, Dubai and Cairo are undertaking the EarthCheck programme to become green certified hotels by 2011.  The EarthCheck programme is widely regarded as the world’s most scientifically rigorous, that measures key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, and total waste production as well as community commitment. Using the EarthCheck tool, Dusit hotels commit to benchmarking local environmental and social issues, including biodiversity conservation, environmental investment and enhanced community socio-economic benefits. More information on the EarthCheck programme can be found on www.earthcheck.org, or visit www.dusit.com/csr

For further information on Dusit’s Green Credentials for Meeting Planners,
visit www.dusit.com/greenmeetings

Green Globe Certified Hamanasi Resort, Belize

Utilizing their many years of business experience, the owners of Hamanasi Resort, have developed a range of training and development programs for their staff and related businesses. The newest training program to be conducted will be with tour guides who service the resorts guests.

MeetGreen appointed Official Sustainability Consultants to IMEX America

The IMEX Group will continue to build on its strong environmental track record and reputation on green issues when it launches IMEX America in October 2011. To help the new US tradeshow achieve its environmental objectives, the organisers have appointed MeetGreen as the show’s Official Sustainability Consultants.

The first IMEX America will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo 11 – 13 October 2011. In the next year, the IMEX Group and its many partners will work closely with MeetGreen to set green standards for transportation, food and beverage and the venue in particular.

Earlier this year the Las Vegas Sands Corporation unveiled Eco 360, a broad-ranging energy efficiency and environmental initiative. With the recent LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) of the Venetian and the conference center, the combined properties now comprise the largest adjoined LEED-certified building in the world.  This, together with the company’s focus on developing vendor partnerships that comply with its green policies makes the Sands Expo the ideal home for IMEX America.

With the launch of its first tradeshow for the international meetings, events and incentive travel industry in Frankfurt eight years ago, the IMEX Group set out to establish new standards for environmental best practice in the exhibition industry. As a result this year, IMEX in Frankfurt reduced its total waste output by 30 tonnes compared to 2009 and reduced paper usage by 8 tonnes and cardboard by 7.5 tonnes. The company also sets yearly environmental goals for the recycling and reuse of a wide range of other materials including carpeting and visitor badges.

Says Amy Spatrisano, principal of MeetGreen: “Las Vegas is not usually top of mind when you think of sustainable destinations yet there are great strides being made by Las Vegas venues.  We’re looking forward to this tremendous opportunity in working with IMEX America to support their commitment to produce a sustainable trade show by using a progressive approach with Las Vegas venues and vendors to elevate the level of sustainable practices being implemented.”

IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer comments: “IMEX America is going to be a genuinely unique model of trade show. The show will have three core pillars to it that will make it unlike any other trade show in the US: the largest hosted buyer program in North America combined with a unique online appointment system; a focus on high quality professional education supported by our Strategic Partner and major educational providers, MPI, and a dedication to sustainability and innovation. We intend to do our utmost to meet – and set – some very demanding green standards for IMEX America and MeetGreen’s expertise and guidance, as well as their excellent industry partnerships, will play a fundamental role in helping us achieve our objectives.”

MeetGreen works with progressive global organisations to integrate sustainable practices and produce conferences and events that deliver targeted business results. Since the company’s founding in 1994, MeetGreen has pursued its vision to continuously transform the global meetings industry through leadership, innovation, education and performance.

IMEX America’s unique model will ensure that 2,000 hosted buyers from the association, corporate and agency sectors attend the show. 80 per cent of hosted buyers will be from North America and 20 per cent from the rest of the world. All will place business internationally as well as in the US and all will benefit from exclusive access to the IMEX online appointment and diary messaging tools which this year generated over 57,000 group and individual business appointments between buyers and exhibitors at IMEX in Frankfurt.

Exhibitors and buyers can register their interest in IMEX America at http://www.imex-america.com/users_prereg_interest.php

www.imexamerica.com
www.meetgreen.com

Liverpool business visitors to help make the city greener

Conference organisers hosting events in Liverpool will be able to compensate for their carbon impact by donating to a range of green projects across the city.

Foundation, a climate fund for the North West, has joined forces with the Liverpool Convention Bureau (LCB) in the city’s first ever partnership to offer organisers the chance to contribute towards local carbon-reduction projects.

Foundation Chief Officer, Mark Turner, explained: “Carbon emissions are unavoidable when it comes to organising and hosting large events such as conferences and we hope that this new scheme will give people the chance to compensate for the environmental impact of their events.

“The way it works is simple: Organisers using the bureau to make their bookings, who are interested in compensating for their carbon, will be asked to contribute £100 for a meeting with up to 100 delegates, ranging through to £1,000 for a big event with more than 800 guests.

“All the money will then be used to fund community projects in the Liverpool city region, such as fitting solar panels and energy efficient boilers in local halls and schools and creating new woodlands,” he added.

Carol O’Reilly, Liverpool Convention Bureau Manager, commented: “We want everyone to recognise Liverpool as an exemplary destination and green credentials are a large part of our appeal.

“The carbon compensation scheme we have launched with Foundation is a real first and something that we feel event organisers will appreciate. Whilst carbon offsetting is not a new concept, carbon compensating is a fresh way of responding and is evolving into a perfect way to encourage low carbon behaviours. Through the Convention Bureau scheme event organisers and individual delegates can work out their own footprint and contribute to local community projects – it’s a great idea.”

Since its launch in April 2009, Foundation has awarded over £140,000 to eight projects across Merseyside and is on target to save 1668 tonnes of Co2 which is the equivalent of heating over 470 homes or powering the Mersey ferries for a year.

Melbourne makes being ‘green’ even easier

An increasing number of Business Events suppliers throughout Melbourne and Victoria are implementing environmental initiatives and policies, according to the latest Melbourne’s ‘Green Credentials’ Report.

Sandra Chipchase, CEO of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), which publishes the report annually, said this year’s report saw a 20% increase in the number of submissions received.

“This report provides Meeting and Event organisers with a concise collation of the many environmentally responsible initiatives being undertaken by Melbourne’s leading Business Events suppliers, making going ‘green’ in Melbourne easy.

“The 2010 report identifies many new and exciting initiatives, particularly in relation to ‘whole-of-organisation’ approaches to ‘going green’, and seeking accreditation through certified green programs,” said Ms Chipchase.

MCVB’s online audit was undertaken between October and December 2009 and requested information on water, waste and energy management, current sustainability programs, strategies implemented, accolades received and projects to be completed.

Highlights of the 2010 report, as compared with 2009, include:

• An 18% increase in the number of audits conducted and environmental plans developed
• A 17% increase in the creation of ‘green teams’ or committees dedicated to guiding initiatives
• A 12% increase in the number of businesses offsetting their own carbon emissions or offering carbon offset opportunities to their clients
• A 12% increase in staff education and training pertaining to green issues.

“MCVB’s green initiatives are also included in the report, such as launching an online ‘Event Carbon Calculator’ with the Carbon Reduction Institute to allow Event Planners to calculate and offset the emissions of events held in Melbourne and Victoria.

“As the focus on the global Business Events industry’s environmental performance continues to grow, so too does Melbourne’s ability to meet the challenge of reducing the carbon footprint of conventions, incentive travel programs, corporate meetings and events held in our city.

“As a leader in the industry, MCVB was recently awarded the ‘Metropolitan Destination Marketing’ Award at the national level of the prestigious Meetings & Events Australia industry awards, as well as the Corporate Social Responsibility award at the State MEA awards.

“The award-winning, environmentally leading Melbourne Convention Centre – the world’s first convention centre to be awarded a ‘6 Star Green Star’ rating – is another example of the Victorian State Government’s dedication to sustainability,” said Ms Chipchase.

MCVB launched the Melbourne’s ‘Green Credentials’ Report in 2008, marking the first “green” audit ever undertaken by an Australian Convention Bureau.

Melbourne’s ‘Green Credentials’ Report is available online at www.mcvb.com.au.

Australia wins again – IMEX Green Supplier Awards head down-under for second year running

Frankfurt, 27 May 2010 – Australian suppliers cemented their dominance of the green meetings partner arena by winning both Gold and Silver Awards in this year’s IMEX Green Supplier Award for a second year running at last night’s IMEX Gala Dinner Awards.

Adelaide Convention Centre’s innovative efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations through planning, implementation and evaluation helped them to win silver last year. In 2010 they have gone one better to be declared winners of the prestigious IMEX Green Supplier Gold Award.

Alec Gilbert, Chief Executive at Adelaide Convention Centre, who picked up the award on the night commented: “Winning the IMEX Green Supplier ‘Gold’ Award is a fantastic acknowledgment of our success in implementing sustainable practices across all aspects of the Adelaide Convention Centre operation. We have developed a culture of “Gold Service, Green Attitude”, which has become a core value for us and helped bring this continued success.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in terms of minimising our impact on the local environment and influencing others to partner with us in achieving our environmental and corporate social responsibility goals. In the past few years, Adelaide Convention Centre has continually benchmarked its environmental standards against the world’s best, and to receive this recognition is an honour we share across the entire organisation.”

Compatriots from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre were also celebrating last night after receiving the ‘Silver’ award in this category. Alison Gardiner, Manager International Convention Bidding, who received the award from IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, commented: “At the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre we believe that green values are mainstream values and are fundamental to our core business principles. We made a strategic commitment a number of years ago to establish our credentials as a globally responsible organisation and to build a sustainable future for our clients, our staff and our community.”

Alison continued: “We implemented our environmental policies at grass roots level long before the green movement gathered momentum and we continue to develop those policies. We are honoured and delighted to be part of the IMEX Green Suppliers Award and to be acknowledged in this way.”

The Green Supplier Award continues to be one of the most sought after in the industry and was developed by IMEX and GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council) to recognise environmental excellence and innovation amongst meetings industry suppliers.

This year’s shortlist also included: Complejo Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Resort and Spa; Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB); Bella Center Copenhagen; BTG Event Solutions; Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts; Doubletree Hotel Portland; Zentrum für Umweltkommunikation; Grimaldi Forum Monaco and Naturresort SCHINDELBRUCH.

Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) wins this year’s IMEX Green Exhibitor Award

Frankfurt, 27 May 2010 – Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) has scooped the Green Exhibitor Award at this year’s IMEX in Frankfurt. Offering a strong case for environmental sustainability, SCIB fended off competition for this coveted award by implementing an impressive number of carbon reduction measures throughout the show, which impressed the judging panel.

The SCIB was awarded the IMEX Green Exhibitor Award 2010 in recognition of its widespread use of Swiss wood in its stand construction. The wood is a renewable resource and net remover of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. All promotional material used at IMEX was printed carbon-neutral. In addition, all Switzerland Tourism staff, including the stand builders, travelled to Frankfurt by train to reduce carbon emissions. For the transport of materials, SCIB also used trucks booked via the “truck market” to avoid empty runs between Switzerland and Germany. All stand material and printed material was organised to require just one transport run. The stand also made the most of low energy lighting, minimal electricity and locally sourced organic food and beverages.

The IMEX Green Exhibitor Award is designed to highlight the ease with which exhibitors can make their stands, marketing materials and the entire process of exhibiting at IMEX more environmentally-friendly and sustainable. The award is intended to encourage all exhibitors to contribute to IMEX’s waste reduction policies, aiding the IMEX organisers in making the show as environmentally friendly as possible.

Barbra Albrecht, managing director of Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, accepted the Green Exhibitor Award at the Gala Dinner on Wednesday 26th May from IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom. Barbra commented: “This is a fantastic recognition of all the initiatives that Switzerland as a country has taken towards sustainability as well as the environmentally friendly attitude within the activities of Switzerland Tourism and its Convention Bureau.”

Nominations for the IMEX Green Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and audited externally. The panel includes: Elizabeth Henderson of Elizabeth Henderson Consulting; Hugo Kimber, CEO, The Carbon Consultancy and co founder, Sustainability Intelligence; Amy Spatrisano, Principal, MeetGreen and President of the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC); Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Executive Director, GMIC; Louise Hall Reider, Owner, Louise Hall Reider & Company and Amanda Gourgue, Chief Meeting Revolutionist, Meeting Revolution.

The Green Exhibitor Award was developed in partnership with the Green Meeting Industry Council and launched four years ago. Since then IMEX has extended its own knowledge and reputation as an environmentally-aware trade show and works to encourage all exhibitors, visitors and staff to implement CSR practices wherever possible. Previous winners of this award include Estoril Congress Centre, Malta Tourism Authority, Visit London, the Sri Lankan Convention Bureau and Expoforce GmbH.

The IMEX Group consistently aims to improve the environmental credentials of its show through a variety of initiatives. These include a waste reduction programme, the use of recycled materials in visitor badges, bags and even carpets as well as using hydro-electricity throughout the exhibition – the first trade guest tradeshow at Messe Frankfurt to do so and to offer the option to exhibitors.

IMEX Green Meeting Award – COP15 rewarded for exceptional achievement

Frankfurt, 27 May 2010 – For two weeks in December 2009, 33,526 visitors descended on Copenhagen, including 122 heads of state, 4,000 media representatives and more than 6,000 NGOs from 192 different countries for the UN Climate Change Summit COP15. It was for this event, the largest gathering of political leaders ever organised, that COP15 Logistics and CSMP Team working within The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs picked up the coveted IMEX Green Meetings ‘Gold’ Award at the annual IMEX Gala Dinner last night.

Svend Olling, Head of Department at Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was at the Gala Dinner to collect the award. He said: “It’s a real honour and I am very proud to receive the IMEX GMIC green meetings award on behalf of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From the start we wanted to make the climate change conference as sustainable as possible given the challenging conditions of hosting one of the largest international political summits ever held. We achieved our goals and this is testament to the hard work of a committed team of individuals in the Ministry and in the event partner organisations. Special recognition should be given to Jan-Christoph Napierski and to the members of the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings coalition who formed a unique private-public partnership to not only help improve the sustainability of COP15 but to share the results and learnings with the global meetings industry. This award is fantastic recognition for the hard work of all team, who leave a legacy for others to follow.”

Working with key partners including Visit Denmark, Wonderful Copenhagen (the City Convention Bureau), the City of Copenhagen, Bella Centre, MCI and a team of 12 event organisers with experience of running large events in Copenhagen, The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs had two years to pull together this historic event. With sustainability as its raison d’être, the organisation strategy for this event encompassed everything from accountability, social responsibility and stakeholder engagement to producing a lasting legacy and commitment to change.

The judges were particularly impressed with the event’s demonstration of commitment to community initiatives, including partnerships, minimisation of social impact and community actions, as well as its pre and post event management, for which it received maximum marks.

On the significance of this event as a marker of best practice for green meetings, Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman, commented: “With the spotlight of the world’s media focused firmly on this historic summit for its two-week duration, never before has there been more impetus to create an event that could exemplify how the international meetings industry can incorporate CSR and sustainability into the core of its strategy – a feat that was achieved with great merit. Full praise to COP15 Logistics and CSMP Team for the tremendous work that went into staging this event as well as a special mention to their key partners that helped to make it happen.”

Also credited on the night, the IMEX Green Meetings ‘Silver’ Award went to Intel Corporation, Corporate Event Marketing for its Intel Development Forum (IDF) America event.

IDF America took place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco in September 2009 and hosted around 4,000 developers, technical managers, academia, government, press, sponsors, exhibitors and Intel staff as IDF sought to reinforce its industry leadership and branding. The aim of the event was to influence developers to build their technologies on Intel architecture but, chiefly, to forward key sustainability objectives.

Showcasing its visions for reducing the environmental impact of its operations, adding value and educating attendees about sustainability, the success of IDF America is now being transferred to its global meetings strategy.

The award was collected on the night by Lou Cozzo, Corporate Event Marketing Manager, Executive Speech and Event Strategy Group, Intel Corporation, who commented: “It is a real honour to receive this prestigious award. We will use this award as inspiration to innovate earth-friendly practices that lessen environmental impact for IDF and other events that Intel supports – always with the ultimate payoff in mind, a better planet for all.”

Liverpool unveils green business strategy as new poll reveals green issues still key

According to a recently conducted survey of 2,014 UK adults, more than half (56 per cent) of employed respondents said green issues are important to their company compared with 15 per cent who felt green issues were unimportant in their workplace.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Liverpool Convention Bureau as part of a bid to promote the city as a green business destination and its own green economy.

Companies in the North West and the Midlands took the most note of green issues with 59 per cent agreeing that a green ethos was important to the business they worked for. While more than half of respondents (54 per cent), said it was important that the companies they purchase from have good green credentials. Females were most concerned with the green credentials of companies with 59 per cent saying they were important compared to 49 per cent among males.

Carol O’Reilly, Liverpool Convention Bureau comments; “As a city Liverpool embodies green principles wholeheartedly with carbon emissions per person lower than the national average. There are already 8,000 people employed in the energy and environmental technology sector generating £1bn of value but a fully low carbon economy can generate a further 7,000 jobs by 2015.

“In winning major events, conferences and meetings to Liverpool we have to offer something our competitors don’t and for many, green issues are an important decision in the purchasing process. A number of our venues participate in the green tourism for business scheme and we have also launched a carbon compensating scheme with Foundation for event organisers wanting to contribute to green CSR projects. We were also the first city to have an ISO14001 accredited convention centre in the form of ACC Liverpool.” Concludes Carol.

International meeting planner Wendy Parsley, Founder, Quint Strategies adds; “The decision to host PPI Transport Symposium 18 at the BT Convention Centre was a risky one considering the venue was still under construction when we first visited.  I am pleased to say that it turned out to be an excellent choice.  As an added bonus, the venue’s green initiatives tied into our goals to create a ‘green’ meeting for our delegates.  Nearly all of the hotels we used were within walking distance of the venue.”

Russian hotel business will soon become «green»!

For the first time in Russia hotels have got an opportunity to receive ecological certificate of international level and to confirm their appropriateness to “green” standards with a help of independent third person party. It has been declared on the 29th of April, 2010 in St.-Petersburg, at the press conference «ECO-HOTELS in the City», organized by Saint-Petersburg ECOLOGICAL UNION and the first event agency, BtG Event Solutions (www.btgroup.ru), which implants “green” technologies in Russia.

Top ranking for Switzerland in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

Event organisers, under extreme time pressure, can sometimes neglect environmental and social criteria in the planning and organising phase. Switzerland, though, ranks top in international studies such as the Yale and Columbia EPI index.

Investing in the future

In terms of sustainability, little Switzerland shows its stature, often leading the pack. This is confirmed by international studies such as the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), in which Switzerland takes first place.

On the right track

A train runs every 12 minutes. Switzerland’s 3,000 km of track carry 9,000 trains a day – a European record. And rail is eco-friendly: as they negotiate the 671 tunnels and 6,000-plus bridges, Swiss trains emit almost no pollution.

Respecting the environment

Most of the hotels and conference centres that are located beside one of Switzerland’s many lakes have used lake water for heating and cooling for years: just one of a range of measures to protect the environment.

World champions in recycling

Careful control of planning, strict building regulations, tough pollution limits, an exemplary waste-disposal system and a comprehensive recycling policy: Switzerland’s commitment to the environment has won plaudits worldwide.

Liverpool Convention Bureau to launch series of Top Ten Guides to the city

As part of a focus on helping event organisers unearth the wealth of venues and restaurants in the city, Liverpool Convention Bureau is to launch a series of top ten guides, which will be hosted on its website www.visitliverpool.com/conferences

The top ten guides will encompass the best of what Liverpool has to offer under the headings of; Green Liverpool, Historic Liverpool, Sporting Liverpool, Incentive Liverpool, Culture Liverpool, Unique Liverpool, Extender Liverpool, Meet Liverpool and Expert Liverpool with Cool Liverpool being the first focus for the team.

“Liverpool has so much to offer event organisers, especially considering the wealth of new hotels, venues and refurbishments that have come on board over the last few years – keeping track of what’s available can be difficult;” comments Carol O’Reilly, Liverpool Convention Bureau.

“The guides will by no means be exhaustive, but we hope they will provide anyone wanting to book an event in Liverpool a flavour of the city and a great starting point.”

Green Globe Certification Announces Formation of New International Advisory Committee

The role of the International Advisory Committee will be to continue the ongoing review of sustainability criteria that underpins the Green Globe Standard. Green Globe Certification CEO, Mr. Guido Bauer, said, “As an Affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and part owned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) we have benefited from expert guidance in the formulation of our Green Globe Standard.”

“Our appointment of Mr. Guy Chester brings substantial expertise and insight into the practical achievement of sustainable tourism as well as connection to specialist environmental networks around the world. With Mr. Guy Chester on-board, Green Globe will continue to provide the highest international standard in sustainability certification.

Mr. Guy Chester is the former Chair of the Accreditation Committee for the Tourism Stewardship Council (TSC), the lead authority supported by the travel industry, UNEP, UNWTO and the United Nations Foundation, delivering the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Mr. Chester authored updates of the Green Globe Company Standard between 2002 to 2009 and will remain a board member of TSC.

Mr. Chester said, “In my role with the TSC and with my previous experience updating the Green Globe Standard, I have worked with many experts in sustainable practices across the many industry sectors that make up travel and tourism.

“I am honored to have taken up this new position and look forward to bringing past and new contributors to our International Advisory Committee.”

The new draft Green Globe Standard will be presented at the Green Globe World Summit in Kassel, Germany — May 28 – 31, 2010. Founding members of the International Advisory Committee will be announced and nominations for executive positions will be open. For more information about the Summit, please visit www.greenglobe.com/worldsummit.