5 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Eco-friendly Venue

November 21, 2015

Shane Shirley

Shane Shirley is CMO for SBS Brands, a 90-year-old global brand leader focused on creating digital and print business solutions that offers traditional and eco-friendly customized promotional products to accelerate trade show marketing.

A lot of work goes into organizing a tradeshow and choosing a venue is a huge part of the process. When you opt to plan an eco-friendly event, that puts an extra emphasize on finding just the right fit for your venue. Here are 5 things to you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing an eco-friendly location you’re your next tradeshow.

·         The Host City is Pivotal - Determining the host city is the first decision to be made, but there are a lot of things to consider. The ideal location will be centrally located in order to minimize travel for the majority of your exhibitors and attendees. This may very likely be easier said than done, but the more central the location, the less greenhouse gases are generated by travel and those who attend will need to purchase fewer carbon offsets.  

·         Check Out the Neighborhood - How close is the venue to airports and train stations? What is the public transportation system like? Is the area walkable? Can it easily be accessed via a bike? Are there eco hotels and restaurants nearby? When people attend a tradeshow, they will spend a great deal of time at the event, but consider how this venue relates to the fabric of the surrounding area and the larger impact.

·         Look for Venues with International Green Meeting Certification, like the Cobo Center in Michigan -  This certification is awarded by the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) which is a non-profit, membership-based professional organization led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Very specific criteria must be met in order for a venue to receive such certifications, so when choosing a venue look at any awards or certifications they’ve received; because this will help you determine their level of eco-friendliness.

·         Put Your Green Requirements in Your Contract - Include your eco goals in your contract and review these points when you have discussions with representatives from the host city and venue. By letting everyone know upfront what you want to achieve, you will be better able to determine which city and venue are the best fit for your event.  

·         Look for Partners - Find people and organizations you and your attendees can work with to help make your event as green as possible. For instance, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers was able to drastically reduce the amount of food waste generated at their show by teaming up with local food banks and soup kitchens. This was a simple solution that benefited the community in the host city and made the event significantly greener.

The venue will really set the tone for the greenness of your event. Selecting a venue is a major decision and with some careful consideration, you can easily make sure your venue is eco-friendly. What do you look for when selecting a tradeshow venue?

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.