ASM Global Unveils Ambitious Strategy to Transform Global Venue Portfolio Into World’s Most Sustainable
April 18, 2023
ASM Global is upping the ante with its sustainability goals via an ambitious plan to convert its global event venues portfolio into the most sustainable on Earth. The global leader in venue and event strategy and management is in the process of launching this strategy through its corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, and in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a leading sustainability consulting firm specializing in the hospitality, sport and event industries.
Beginning this year, ASM Global will dedicate its full resources to achieving measurable results throughout its businesses using WeTrack, the most comprehensive sustainability tracking system in the venue space, with the goal of reflecting that scale and creating a substantial collective impact on every continent it operates.
“Our current portfolio of LEED-certified venues has set the standard, and we’re now raising the bar even higher,” said Ron Bension, ASM Global president and CEO. “This entire program will be integrated into all of the relationships with our existing and future clients as part of our intrinsic ASM Global DNA.”
He continued, “As we stated when we first partnered with Honeycomb Strategies last summer, demand from our established and newer clients for state-of-the-art sustainability innovations has been consistently increasing. We are now in a position to work with them and lead the industry in this incredibly important space.”
ASM Global already boasts the largest collection of certified green venues with more than 40 and growing throughout its portfolio, he added.
The company has committed to the following for all its venues:
- Reduce energy consumption by 25% by 2030 from baseline year (2023)
- Achieve 20% of all energy consumed through renewable energy sources by 2025
- Be carbon neutral by 2050
- Divert more than 50 percent of waste overall by 2025
- Eliminate single-use plastic in front-of-house by 2025
- Reduce water consumption by 25 percent by 2030 from baseline year (2023)
- Award 50 percent of its reportable spend to suppliers adhering to its environmental purchasing policy by 2030
- Increase plant-based menu options by 35 percent by 2024 within Savor (ASM Global’s food division) venues
- Decrease food waste by 75 percent by 2026 within Savor venues
“The project has already begun,” said Lindsay Arell, co-principal of Honeycomb Strategies. “We’ve selected a group of pilot venues across size, type and continents that have begun reporting against the goals. The aim is to add additional venues at a fast pace to obtain important baseline information for 2023.”
Those pilot venues include Colorado Convention Center, Broward County Convention Center, Cox Business Center, Hawai’i Convention Center, Huntington Convention Center, Long Beach Convention Center, Los Angeles Convention Center, Moscone Convention Center and Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Developed to help customers track progress on sustainability, ESG (environmental, social and governance) and CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives, the WeTrack system provides planning, sustainability goals and operations solutions to some of the world’s biggest sports and entertainment brands including FIFA, IOC, Wimbledon and World Triathlon, to name a few.
ASM Global venue ambassadors will each have a system set up for them with common indicators that ASM Global wants to track along with venue goals specific to the community in which they operate, according to ASM Global officials.
“For almost 20 years, the Colorado Convention Center has been a leader on the live event sustainability front,” said John Adams, general manager of the Colorado Convention Center. “We are excited to be a pilot venue for this project as ASM Global expands this commitment to all of its venues worldwide.”
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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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