Primary Case Study

IMEX Annouces First Responsible Meeting Award Winner

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – April 9, 2003 – Meeting Strategies Worldwide has been recognised as the first Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award winner at the IMEX Worldwide Exhibition.  Presented by IMEX, the International Hotels Environment Initiative and Oceans Blue Foundation, the Award acknowledges environmental excellence and innovation and represents the highest accolades for environmental responsibility among meeting planners and hosts. Presented at the IMEX Worldwide Exposition at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany the Award recognizes organizations that are leading the way in this dynamic industry, earning distinction as the best in their field.

The Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award was evaluated by a committee of judges that included meeting industry representatives and the conservation community.  A verification of the specific meeting nominated was conducted by an independent environmental auditor who assessed environmental criteria and practices. The criteria included minimizing environmental impact through energy efficiency, air and water quality, water conservation, waste management, waste minimization, and environmental purchasing. Other factors considered were economic indicators, commitment to change practices, commitment to the community, and commitment to conservation.

The Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award was presented to Meeting Strategies Worldwide for the 2002 Forest Leadership Forum held in April 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Sponsored by the Certified Forest Products Council and the World Wildlife Fund, the conference was one of the greenest ever achieved for its size in the United States at the time. In addition, it raised awareness, changed business practices, educated venues, vendors and attendees, and spawned entrepreneurial partnerships. Most importantly, it helped to prove that environmental stewardship and economic responsibility can be mutually beneficial.

"Oceans Blue is extremely pleased to be recognising the efforts that were taken to green the 2002 Forest Leadership Forum,"  indicated Shawna McKinley, General Manager of Oceans Blue Foundation USA.  "We were also very impressed by the performance of the other nominees for the Award all of whom had taken unique approaches to minimising waste and environmental impacts associated with their events, from establishing environment teams for their venues and meetings, integrating new technology and creating community partnerships."

Meeting Strategies Worldwide, a Portland-based woman owned company is a full service conference management, training and consulting firm recognized internationally as a leader in environmentally responsible meetings. "We not only have a responsibility to be environmentally conscious, we have an extraordinary opportunity to make a substantial difference. Practicing environmentally responsible planning is the way we do business. We are proud to be recognized for our work on an international level." said company principal Amy Spatrisano, CMP, who accepted the award in Frankfurt. For more information regarding Meeting Strategies Worldwide visit www.meetingstrategiesworldwide.com, or call 503-252-5458.

At its 1997 world meeting, Interface achieved dramatic environmental and cost savings through the joint efforts of delegates and the meeting venue.

The resort chosen to host the 1,000 delegates over six days was the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in Hawaii.  While the resort was not particularly ‘green’ at the outset, management responded to Interface’s greening requirements by altering standard operating procedures and implementing capital improvements, such as installing solar panels. Delegates joined in the effort by reducing their own consumption while on site.

Data were collected each day on utility usage and waste generation, and reported the following morning at plenary sessions. Total consumption was compared with the average of a similar convention held the previous year. The results were impressive: total electricity consumption had been reduced by 21 percent; water use by 48 percent; and solid waste by 34 percent. Amortized over time, the greening measures were estimated save the resort over US$1 million per year.

Contact: Pauline Armstrong