Green Meetings - What's Next
Tamara Kennedy-Hill is executive director of the Green Meetings Industry Council.
www.greenmeetings.info
THE GREAT GLOBAL warming debate continues. But no matter what side of that argument you find yourself, there appears to be a consensus on one critical issue – sustainability.
Both sides agree that our small planet is in jeopardy and we need a collective effort to, as many Native Americans believe, leave the land better than we found it.
MPG* recently spoke with Tamara Kennedy-Hill, director of the Green Meetings Industry Council, about why this issue is so important.
“Sustainability is looking at what we do today and balancing that impact for future generations. It incorporates environmental, economic, and social considerations. It’s a better way of living - being respectful and responsible – with the goal of providing a legacy for future generations.
I was drawn to the GMIC because I felt its mission was aligned with this definition of sustainability. I don’t feel you can be competitive about doing the right thing – advancing sustainability – because it is of universal interest.”
Tamara recently wrote an outstanding article for Green Lodging News that addresses many on the most frequently asked questions on the subject of sustainability and green meetings. Here is a condensed version of her article:
What the Future Holds
What do I have to do to call my meeting or event green? Is there any industry accepted certification for green meetings that I can apply for? What kind of criteria does my facility need to meet in order to be called green?
How do you know if you are green enough? What is that one clear measurement you can turn to that will demonstrate to investors, customers and employees that you are committed to sustainability? What is the role of government and industry in setting the standards? Ultimately, how can you be involved?
ASTM, APEX, GMIC and Why You Should Care
The meetings and events industry does not currently have an industry-wide accepted standard for green meetings and events. The solution is being addressed by a collaborative, voluntary consensus, standards development process between ASTM (the U.S. EPA-approved standards development organization), the Convention Industry Council’s APEX, and GMIC.
The purpose of the standard is to:
• Enable suppliers and planners to ask the right questions
• Reward success and encourage improvement
• Outline the performance standard and define what practice is needed and to what degree (i.e. recycling)
• Help people make good decisions
• Help people measure
• Enable certification of the standard
• Fit within the way of doing business by the industry
• Recognize the global nature of the meetings industry
• Identify a minimum standard to be called “green.”
The standards process seeks to gain a balanced perspective from both meeting planners and suppliers to fully assess what it means to plan and provide green meetings and events.
Background of the Organizations
ASTM International (originally known as the American Society of Testing and Materials) is a standards developing organization for all major industries. Because of its voluntary consensus building process, ASTM is the U.S. EPA’s choice for green meeting standards development.
At the same time that the U.S. EPA contacted ASTM, the CIC’s APEX was working on a way to address green meetings standards before regulation. The question of whether or not it is possible for industry and government to collaborate on the standards development process was raised.
The short answer was “yes.” GMIC was instrumental in bringing these two parties together (ASTM and APEX) to ensure there was not a duplication of efforts with the standards building process and that industry and government goals would align.
“The desire was to have a collaborative process between APEX and the ASTM,” says Amy Spatrisano, president of GMIC and chair of the APEX Green Meeting and Events Practice Panel. Both organizations are committed to moving this process forward.”
Just recently there was a signed memorandum of understanding between ASTM and APEX that outlines the voluntary consensus process and the outcomes of standards developed for the industry that will be approved by the U.S. EPA and accepted by the meetings industry.
How Can the Industry Become Involved?
The mission of the APEX panel is “to develop best practices and voluntary standards that can be implemented to create a more environmentally responsible event.”
The panel oversees nine sub-committees: accommodations, venues, transportation, F&B, exhibition, destinations, A/V, communications and onsite office. There are currently more than 250 people included in the subcommittee process. The target goal for the first phase and presentation of the standards to ASTM is spring of 2009.
GMIC supports an inclusive industry process that is based on accepted definitions, standards, and voluntary consensus. As members of the CIC, GMIC support the APEX/ASTM standards development process for green meetings and events.
When asked when GMIC will implement its certification system, Spatrisano said, “As an organization we have opted to wait until the standards are developed before creating a green meetings certification system. We expect this to be complete sometime next year.”
For those interesting in becoming more informed on this subject, GMIC is hosting its 2009 “Greening the Hospitality Industry” Conference February 24-26, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Gold LEED certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Jason Fulvi, Executive Director of Convention Sales for VisitPittsburgh, said, “We’re fortunate that Pittsburgh was already experiencing a dramatic environmental renaissance when we made the decision to construct a LEED certified convention center. The investment paid off. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center strengthens the city’s focus on environmental practices and continues to put Pittsburgh out front as a leader in the green building movement.”
MPG* asked Tamara to describe a green meeting of the future.
“There would be an industry approved measurement standard to evaluate whether or not a meeting is green. While we may see more regional meetings and more use of innovative technology, I don’t foresee face-to-face meetings ever going away because there is intrinsic value in interpersonal connection. The social aspect of meetings is part of who we are. In the future, we will know how we can meet that human need for connection in a more sustainable and economically viable manner.” 
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