Environmental concerns became part of America’s consciousness as early as 1970, marked by the first Earth Day.  After that early exuberance, interest and commitment waned.

Today, eco-awareness has returned with a vengeance -- partly due to the recent fluctuations in petroleum prices and a public focus on climate change.  Personal commitments to conserve resources have led to pressure on businesses across the board to show their environmental allegiance.

Companies and institutions are feeling the heat, both internally and externally. Corporate and public leaders want high sustainability marks. Consumer are starting to look for assurances that they are patronizing a “green” establishment and purchasing sustainable products.

A critical initiative within the hospitality industry involves “Green Meetings,” an effort to reduce the amount of resources -- energy, water, food, paper products -- consumed during events and conventions. Many meeting planners and organizations are including RFP clauses that ensure a supplier’s commitment to “going green” before booking an event. You can see a sample clause here.

Here are some best practice guidelines to help you align with Green Meetings initiatives.

Sources and Ideas for a Green Property
A web search on “Green Meetings” today turns up a vast amount information. Most experts agree, however, that the initiative is led by two organizations: the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) and Oceans Blue Foundation, founder of the Blue Green Meetings movement. A reference guide of helpful organizations and websites is listed below.

A big step in solidifying the movement, however, came in May 2007 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a model 14-point checklist for Green Meeting Suppliers for their agency.  The EPA approach is seen as a template that eventually may be emulated government-wide - important, due to the billions a year spent on travel and meetings. It has also become the new standard for organizations to measure themselves.

When considering meeting space, EPA looks at criteria like these for properties that consume less and manage their resources in environmentally positive ways. Use this list to determine how your property measures up. Considerations include:

• Recycling program
• Guestroom linen/towel reuse option that is communicated to guests
• Easy access to public transportation or shuttle services
• Bulk dispensers or reusable containers for beverages, food and condiments
• Reusable serving utensils, napkins and tablecloths when food and beverages are served
• Energy efficiency program and water conservation program
• Paperless check-in and check-out for guests, and use of recycled or recyclable products
• Other “green” environmental initiatives such as receiving environment-related certifications, participating in EPA voluntary partnerships, supporting a green supplier networks, etc.
• Food sources from local growers or a policy to consider the growing practices of farmers who provide the food
• A policy to use bio-based or biodegradable products, including bio-based disposables for the cafeteria

Robust Resources
The following organizations are the industry leaders of Green Meetings. Many offer newsletters and sponsor conferences, helping you to stay on top of the trends that can help qualify you as a “Green-Savvy Supplier.”

Blue Green Meetings
An initiative spearheaded by Oceans Blue Foundation focuses on developing environmental best practices for all sectors of the tourism industry. Useful tools, tips and guides are available under the Links and Resources section. Resources for both meeting planners and properties/suppliers. Site is the property of the Green Industry Meeting Council.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency offers several sites that can help your company become greener and more responsive to customers that want the same. 

Green Meetings Site (Home)
This site is designed to help plan meetings while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. An interactive tool provides information for several audiences, such as meeting planners, suppliesr of meeting services, meeting hosts who contracts with meeting planners or an attendee.

Energy Star
The U.S. EPA offers an Energy Star for Hospitality program to the lodging industry. Energy Star for Hospitality is a proven energy management program that helps hotels measure current energy performance, set goals, and track savings. Included on the site are performance guidelines, case studies and more tools and resources.

Green Meetings Initiative Publications
This site contains a number of links to pivotal industry organizations whose work is creating more sustainable meetings and events.  This site is an excellent one-stop source of information.

Environmental Preferable Purchasing Guides 
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) helps the U.S. federal government buy green, and stimulates market demand for green products and services. This site targets purchasers of convention and meeting services, and helps green vendors, businesses large and small, and consumers. Sections of the site include a database for finding and evaluating green products and services; tools and related links.
    - Identify federal green buying requirements
    - Calculate the costs and benefits of purchasing choices
    - Manage green purchasing processes

Global Green Hospitality Consortium
GGHC is a nonprofit founded to provide the hospitality industry with the resources to implement sustainable standards and practices offered by various green associations, and state and federal programs. Services include property certification, energy audits, product certification and a forum for emerging technologies.

GreenBiz.com
An online news and information resource on how to align environmental responsibility with business success. It offers more than 8,000 resources, including daily news and feature stories, reports, checklists, case studies, and links to organizations, technical assistance programs, government agencies, and recognition programs. Search under “hospitality” for relevant articles.

Green Lodging News
Provide background information on a number of topics important to lodging providers - including heating & cooling systems, kitchens, air quality and lighting.  Blogs and newsletters update environmental trends in the industry.  Useful resource links and case studies.

Green Meeting Council
The Green Meeting Industry Council is dedicated to improving meeting management practices by promoting environmentally responsible strategies through the collaborative efforts of meeting industry stakeholders.

Green Seal
Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause a minimal amount of pollution and waste. Green Seal certifies these using internationally recognized methods and procedures. The website includes a list of hotels that have been Green Seal certified and provides instructions on how to get your lodging property certified.

Meeting Planners International
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is a global authority and resource for the $100+ billion meetings and event industry.  The website has numerous articles related to Corporate Social Responsibility, and several tools and calculators to use in evaluating your green initiatives.

Additional reading and resources:

Government of Canada  

Environment Canada Greening Meetings Downloadable, Customizable Guide   

Convention Industry Council Green Meetings 

David Suzuki Foundation 

Fast Company 50 Ways to Green Your Company

Your Bottom Line - From Green Hotels