Mary Klida
Mary Klida is Marketing and Communications Manager at Cobo Center in Detroit. She is an award winning writer with more than 30 years communications experience.
20 Steps to a Greener Event from Detroit’s COBO Center
November 27, 2015
Cobo Center has been awarded the Keep Michigan Beautiful (KMB) President’s plaque, their highest annual award. KMB was founded in 1965 by then Michigan Governor George Romney as a response to Lady Bird Johnson’s White House Conference on Beautification.
The President’s Plaque is awarded for environmental improvement, beautification, site restoration and sustainability.
Patrick Bero, CEO/CFO of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, the governing body of Cobo Center, was on hand to receive the award October 16, 2015, in Frankenmuth Michigan.
“In 2011, at the beginning of our 5-year $279 million renovation, we put together a Green Committee with members from every department and vendor company in Cobo Center,” said Claude Molinari, regional director of operations SMG and assistant general manager or Cobo Center. “That committee drives the momentum for improving sustainability and environmental stewardship of our facility and community.”
Since 2012, when Cobo Center was certified a Green Venues Michigan facility, it has received five sustainability recognitions, including the Detroit EcoWorks Sustainability Champion Award in 2014, the Detroit Free Press Michigan Green Leaders award in 2015, the GMIC APEX certification in 2015, and now the KMB award.
“We feel Cobo Center offers a unique package of Green Event support at little or no cost to customers, in a place not known for sustainability – Detroit! We aim to change that perception and show the world that Detroit is back and better than ever,” said Thom Connors, SMG regional vice president and general manager of Cobo Center.
Cobo recommends that customers who want to make their events more sustainable start with these 20 easy suggestions:
1. Investigate Cobo’s Green certifications. They outline the operational structure for sustainability
2. To save time in your RFP, simply mail your questions about Green Events in Cobo Center to greenevents@cobocenter.com
3. Use Cobo’s free app and website to find sustainable transportation options and walkable local attractions
4. Cobo Center has 180 recycling stations. Have some placed strategically throughout your event spaces, especially on the closing day
5. Cobo Center will supply a post-event sustainability report that meets the requirements of your Green Event sponsors
6. Use signage without dates to promote re-use
7. Use online event service order forms on the Cobo website to reduce paper waste
8. Distribute event information online or in digital format
9. Use the free facility app to notify attendees of event and facility features
10. Generate less paper waste by using Cobo’s digital signage to announce sponsors, direct attendees and announce agendas
11. Work with Cobo’s chef to source food locally and sustainably
12. Request un-served food from your event be donated to Forgotten Harvest, a local food redistribution agency (48.8 million pounds of food last year)
13. Publicize Cobo’s sustainability practices to your attendees and encourage participation
14. Cobo uses compostable food containers and utensils making food outlet waste 100% compostable or recyclable
15. Your sponsor can underwrite a coffee break with their logos on compostable cups
16. Include a sustainability slide show at the entrance and exit of your event and let attendees know how they can be a part of it
17. Recycle badge holders to local charities and declare to attendees with signage
18. Inclusivity is sustainability. Work with your event manager to insure attendees special needs are met during your event
19. Work with your event manager to create Detroit area walking tours for attendees to encourage walking as transportation
20. Cobo supports the use of bicycles as attendee transportation
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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