Feb 13, 2019
Sustainability and “green” practices are becoming standard for many corporations, driven by both a belief in corporate responsibility and by customer mindset. A recent Nielsen global online survey shows 81 percent of respondents feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment. The initial worry that sustainable events would result in higher costs has subsided. In fact, it has been shown that environmentally-friendly events can actually cost less, as they require a more mindful approach to waste reduction. But there is still quite a bit of misperception related to what it… more
Feb 06, 2019
Last month, representatives of global events, tourism and sustainability bodies ushered in the new year with the launch of four Principles for Sustainable Events designed to guide and motivate event organizers worldwide to embrace and implement green practices.   This multi-stakeholder group, convened by the Events Industry Council (EIC) through two forums held during IMEX in Frankfurt and Las Vegas, agreed that the focus of these principles should include: Shared responsibility for implementation and communication between event organizers and suppliers Identification of basic… more
Nov 26, 2018
More than a decade after the launch of the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), now the Events Industry Council Sustainability Initiative, we’re still trying to make our events more environmentally friendly. One area where it’s easy to make a difference is food waste, or the reduction thereof.  “It’s really just having a plan going in about what waste you’re going to generate and trying to minimize that as much as possible,” said Sustainable Event Consultant Julia Spangler.  She continued, “Maybe you’re serving on all disposable dishes and using plastic cups or handing out a lot of… more
Nov 26, 2018
Julia Spangler is a sustainable events consultant and speaker specializing in waste diversion and zero waste events. Her website urges people to make sustainability a part of their events’ success stories and her services include green events, green weddings and helping venues become more sustainable. Spangler also recently launched an online course, “How to Plan Zero Waste Events,” that teaches event organizers how to keep waste out of the landfill, improve guest satisfaction and achieve zero-waste results.  I met Spangler at the ILEA Live 2018 conference, where she presented a breakout… more
Nov 26, 2018
Events are mirrors of the organizations and industries they serve, reflecting their values and priorities. Therefore, it’s no surprise that green initiatives have flooded the events industry as more and more companies include sustainability goals and practices in their missions. And just as sustainable practices can be good for business, reducing costs and potentially raising customer loyalty, for example, they can also be great for events for many of the same reasons.  Britt Zarling, vice president of corporate communications at Fiserv, notes that the company’s corporate values apply to all… more
Nov 26, 2018
The United Nations defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, there has been some murkiness as to what exactly that means with regard to events and what the definition of sustainability is for the events industry.  U.K.-based meetings and events company BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has put together a "Green White Paper" that attempts to help put an industry wrapper around the concept. Fueled by survey data, the paper discusses the differences between “green meetings,” corporate… more
Nov 26, 2018
As the desire for sustainable meetings and events grows, so does the need for sustainable cities in which to hold them. The city of Brussels, Belgium was ranked ninth in the 2009 European Green City Index and now, a decade later, the city is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the “Green city of Europe” by 2024. “As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet,” said Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, director of the Convention & Association Bureau at visit.brussels.  She continued, “The city was voted the number one… more
Sep 17, 2018
After being introduced to environmental science and sustainability in high school, Jessica Glenn knew what she was meant to do with her life. As the Director of Sustainability at Freeman, Glenn is driven to help show organizers produce more environmentally friendly events that also maximize the attendee experience by getting them excited about and invested in sustainability. TSNN had a chance to sit down with Glenn to hear about her passion for green events, how some shows are pushing the envelope to lessen their environmental footprint and how it truly takes a village to create a sustainable… more
Sep 14, 2018
Less than a month after Vancouver became the first city in the world to adopt a comprehensive zero waste strategic plan and the first city in Canada to ban plastic straws and polystyrene containers, the city played host to Sustainable Brands, the annual global flagship conference of one of the leading corporate sustainability communities of brand innovators and sustainability professionals working to shape the future of commerce worldwide. Held June 4-7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and for the first time in Canada, Sustainable Brands drew more than 2,300 participants from across the… more
Aug 28, 2018
Full-service event production company, Shepard, has launched a bold set of initiatives to reduce the 600,000 tons of garbage produced by the events industry each year.  Its ambitious efforts were recently recognized by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), which in May awarded Shepard with a certification for its sustainable printing practices – the first time an SGP certification has been awarded to a general services contractor.  A non-profit organization that certifies printing facilities’ sustainability best practices, SGP certifies printing facilities as part of its… more
Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact