Mercedes hunt sustainability in the mice industry estc15

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Sustainability Within the Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Events (MICE) Industry By: Mercedes Hunt April 30, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Defining Sustainability “…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

–Operationalized as the: •Environmental •Social •Economic •Institutional (Policy, Ethics, Governance)

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Implementation of Sustainability • Out of the box thinking • Choices supporting environmental, social, economic and institutional • Certifications • Activism/ Membership- Pledge to “Ask for it”

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Sustainable Practices Can Save Money!

Examples •Minimizing waste, printed materials, providing locally grown food, recycling name badges or designing re-usable signage Case Study Examples •Using water pitchers saved $12,187 (Meeting Strategies Worldwide, 2002) •Use bulk condiments – Bulk cream saved 62%, bulk sugar 50% (Meeting Strategies Worldwide, 2002)

•Day-lighting products increased sales about 40% (Meetings South, 2004)

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Self-assessment Standards in the MICE Industry

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (Self-assessment of environmental and social welfare, varying models)

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Green Key Meetings Certificate Program (Self-assessment of meetings and events, compliments APEX/ASTM Standards)

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International Association of Convention Centre’s (IACC) Code of Sustainability (Self-assessment for venues)

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

3rd Party Certifications •

APEX/ ASTM Standards (Events and venues, focuses on environmental sustainability)

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Green Seal (Vendors, cleaning products, etc.)

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Green Globe (Events, meetings, venues, vendors, etc.)

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ISO 14001 Environmental Management (Environmental aspects of events and venues)

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

3rd Party Certifications •

Global Reporting Initiative (Corporate/ Organizational reporting)

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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) (Environmental sustainability of venues)

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Rainforest Alliance (Focused on sustainable tourism)

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Travelife (Tour operators, travel agents, accommodations)

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

• Example: ESTC – RFP, Print program, no water bottles, recycled paper, destinations, vendors, incorporation of community

• Example Colorado Convention Center – Energy consumption, waste, water, air quality, community, certifications

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Sustainability Trends in the MICE Industry UNWTO, 2014 •Market consolidation (less and bigger players) •Rise of digital (hybrid and online events) •Corporate social responsibility, sustainability, measurement and meeting design International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) •Relating across generations, reaching a younger group online •Impact of technology – Paperless events, faster internet, better planning tools, gamification, apps, growth of social media/ video marketing

•24/7, year-round marketing and events, non-attendee engagement •Complexity by varying strategic tactics

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM

Additional Resources Online Articles •5 Steps to a Greener Meeting •10 Easy Tips for Making Your Event More Sustainable •The GMIC Guide to Forming a Green Team •U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Green Meetings Research Articles •Tinnisha, S. M., & Mangala, S. M. (2012). Sustainable event marketing in the MICE industry: A theoretical framework. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 13(4), 227-249.

•Unterkofler, C., & Simons, A. (2014). Green venue report 2014: The state of convention center sustainability. Greenview, and Johanna Walsh of Twirl Management. Retrieved from www.greenvenuereport.com