Amy Spatrisano of MeetGreen shares insights and introductions to Green Meeting Fundamentals

1. Green Meetings
Better practices for the meetings industry
Amy Spatrisano, CMP
MeetGreen®
Formerly Meeting Strategies Worldwide
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2. INTENTION
• What makes the most business sense?
• What’s right?

3. Relevant Data
Average conference delegate over 3 days:
Produces 61 lbs/27+kgs of solid waste
Uses 846 gallons/3202+ liters of waste
Produces 1419 lbs/643+ kgs of ghgs
Data Source: US Environmental Protection Agency

4. More facts…
79% of buyers deliberately
avoid destinations/venues
known to have poor
environmental records
Source: IMEX 3rd Annual Survey Results 2008

5. More facts…
Planners are or expect to
plan a green meeting
during the next year…
Association 42%
Corporate 36%
Independent 35%
2008 Meetings Market Trends Survey

6. BALANCE

7. FOUR INTENTIONS
Do right by the planet
Make the best business decision
Measure the impact
Share the story

8. DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

9. DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET
What is a green meeting?

10. The Four Ps
• People
• Planet
• Profit………
• Purpose

11. What's your
PURPOSE?

12. DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

13. DO RIGHT BY THE PLANET

14. MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION

15. MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION
(44%) confused by the term “sustainability”
(71-75%) don’t know which
product/company is sustainable
(34%) willing to pay for sustainable goods
(21%) actually buying more sustainably
Source: Sustainability: The Rise of Consumer Responsibility, The Hartman Group, Inc., January 2009.

16. MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Re-pay

17. MAKE THE BEST BUSINESS
DECISION

18. MEASURE THE IMPACT

19. MEASURE THE IMPACT

20. MEASURE THE IMPACT
• 1.5 lbs trash per person 2008
• 76% waste diversion (66% increase)
• 41200 lbs donated materials
• 21 community organizations helped
• 933 lbs GHG per person
• 100% offset
• 42% organic
• 15% local

21. MEASURE THE IMPACT

22. SHARE THE STORY

23. SHARE THE STORY
Greenwashing:
“The act of misleading consumers
regarding the environmental practices
of a company or the environmental
benefits of a product or service.”
Source: Terrachoice

25. Over the top images
Fluffy language Nothing to do
with product

26. Gives a good feeling
Claims that are
product relevant
A recognised 3rd party label Significant and
major green
commitments

27. SHARE THE STORY
Planners:
• Be informed
• Read labels
• Seek proof
• See for yourself

28. SHARE THE STORY
Marketers:
• Be transparent
• Be authentic
• Third party validation
• Report progress

29. Amy Spatrisano, CMP
MeetGreen®
www.amy@meetgreen.com