Cobo Center Obtains Recertification to International Green Meeting Standard
April 5, 2017
In an effort to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and attract more sustainably minded events, Detroit’s Cobo Center has achieved APEX/ASTM Venue Standard recertification.
Developed by ASTM International and the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), the Venue Standard is one of nine APEX/ASTM Standards for Sustainable Meetings and Events that were created by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide planners and suppliers with specific guidelines and performance measurements for producing more environmentally sustainable events.
“We continue to make strides in improving the sustainability of our offerings, including a new kitchen and food court composting program,” said Claude Molinari, Cobo Center general manager.
He added, “Getting recertified to the ASTM Green Meeting Standard and hosting Sustainable Brands 2017 signals that our efforts are truly world class.”
Billed as the largest convening of global brand leaders and sustainability practitioners, SB‘17 is set for May 22-25 at the Cobo Center, where more than 2,000 attendees are expected to converge.
“Sustainable Brands is excited to partner with suppliers and venues like Cobo who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices,” said David Fiss, Sustainable Brands executive producer of live events and member of the Convention Industry Council’s Sustainability Leadership Council.
He continued, “Doing so helps our event meet our sustainability goals, educate our attendees and encourage other suppliers to the meeting and events industry to do the same. A sustainable event is more thoughtful and creates a better participant experience.”
The APEX/ASTM Specification for Evaluation and Selection of Venues for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences standard outlines the procedural requirements for venue selection and specific performance criteria for staff management, communications, waste management, energy, air quality, water, procurement and community partners.
Cobo Center initially achieved this certification in 2015 and was the ninth convention facility in the U.S. to do so.
In addition, the Venues certification is the fifth credential Cobo Center has earned related to its ambitious sustainability efforts.
In 2012, Cobo Center became the largest Green Venues Michigan facility; in 2014, it was designated an EcoWorks Sustainable Communities Champion; in 2015 the Detroit Free Press named Cobo Center a Detroit Green Leader and in 2016, Keep Michigan Beautiful awarded the facility its highest honor, the KMB President’s Plaque.
Learn more about Cobo Center’s green initiatives here.
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Partner Voices
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