MPI’s Commitment to Sustainability

MPI has made the following commitment to sustainability and to sustainable events:

We recognize the immense potential impact our actions have on the communities in which we do business and make a deliberate commitment to the transformational power of meetings and events to support environmental, economic and social sustainability.

We will establish leadership and demonstrate commitment in the area of sustainable meetings by including environmental, economic and social factors in decisions we make on behalf of our members, and by making the best use of resources for maximum impact and alignment with our objectives.

We will educate and inform our members about our actions. We are committed to building our brand, supporting our mission and vision, and connecting our community in a sustainable way.

Sustainable practices in place by MPI

• Avoiding the use of non recyclable products
• No handouts for any sessions provided by MPI- print on demand at print station
• One page per day onsite guide printed on FSC paper, significantly reducing paper usage
• Recycled polyester material lanyards
• Biodegradable Cotton bags made using materials meeting REACH regulations (registration, evaluation, authorization of chemicals)
• Re-usable Badge holders
• Wooden Pens\
• FSC certified Notepads
• Selecting local suppliers
• Maximizing use of plasma screens over temporary signage
• No gifts in rooms- on demand only
• No magazine drops in rooms

For more resources on sustainable events, click here.

Help us Identify Sustainability Issues in Orlando–Participate!

As part of MPI’s ongoing commitment to sustainability at our events and continuing certification under the BS 8901 Sustainable Event Management System (launching as ISO20121, in 2012) we’d like to ask you to kindly give three minutes of your time to fill out these four questions on sustainability at WEC in Orlando to help us define the key issues surround the event. Click here to take the survey.

WHY? A key aspect of the application of BS8901 is the engagement of stakeholders and ensuring collaboration in the definition of MPI’s sustainable event objectives and KPIs for WEC. As a one of our key stakeholders we’re taking this opportunity to reach out and inform you what we are doing, seek your guidance and knowledge as a stakeholder in the event and ensure that we leave no stone unturned in our search for sustainability.

Sustainability is not something we can achieve alone. It’s something we need to do together! Thanks for taking your time to be a part of this process.

British Standard 8901 for Sustainable Event Management

We have incorporated the principles of the first sustainable event standard, British Standard 8901, into how we work. This includes planning for the event, implementation of the event on-site, and a post-event review process that allows us to learn from our successes and challenges and incorporate changes into our next event. For a BS 8901 case study on the first MPI event to attain third-party certification, please click here. For more sustainability case studies of our past events, please click here.

Community Projects at WEC

Education

At MPI, we make it a priority to provide WEC attendees with the latest content, news and tools for organizing sustainable events, here are some of the initiatives on site:

Corporate Social Responsibility Learning Track
The CSR track is designed to address multiple levels of proficiency in the field of Sustainability and will include three areas of concentration: Basic Sustainable Meetings, Measurement (Tools, Standards and Guidance) and Strategy (using CSR to give back to the world, aligning your brand and practical case studies on implementation). By attending CSR sessions at WEC, you will reinforce your knowledge of sustainable meetings which will increase your level of CSR awareness and competency. You will turn theory into practice by learning from case studies of major events and see how it really works.  The majority of the content in this track has been created for intermediate to advanced level professionals that are ready to take the next steps in CSR. Please see the Education section of the WEC website for a list of CSR specific sessions.

Environment – Eight areas of “green meetings”

At all of our events, we consider the eight areas of “green meetings” as defined by the Convention Industry Council. These include: destination selection, transportation, venues, accommodation, food and beverage, communications, on-site operations and expositions. For sustainability case studies of our past events, click here. This year at WEC 2011, MPI’s and its partners’ sustainability efforts include: 

ACCOMMODATION

Logo Key Cards - The sponsored logo key cards attendees will receive when they check into their hotels will be made up of pre and post industrial recycled PVC.  (Please note two hotels use RFID card systems and these cards are not in this scheme.)

Conference Hotels - Our partner hotels are committed and contracted to participate in sustainable initiatives during WEC, if they weren’t already doing so! Click on the links below to see what else our conference hotels are doing.

http://www.peabodyorlando.com/greener-peabody/
http://www.rosengreenmeetings.com/
http://www.thehiltonorlando.com/our-hotel/social-responsibility/index.cfm

COMMUNICATIONS

Mailed Printed Brochure
MPI’s WEC conference brochure was printed on FSC certified paper and used soy based inks.

iPhone/Blackberry Application
We’re trying to cut back on printed materials at WEC and to help in the transition we’re providing conference materials in real-time with the free WEC iPhone/Blackberry app. Easy to navigate, the app offers a searchable conference agenda, speaker information and profiles, access to the MPI Twitter feed and Facebook page and attendee list.

Signage
In an effort to reduce waste MPI has created many signs that are used for multiple events.  For example the chapter lollipop signs that are used to help gather individual chapters during the General Sessions and Lunches are re-used year after year.

Digital Signage
Digital Signage will be used when possible to reduce the use of paper and cardboard.

Printing
This year MPI has decided to use a digital format for its conference guide. The guide information will be available through the MPI website and through a mobile application on both iPhones and Smartphones. We will share basic schedule information with attendees through a z-card.  These are daily cards that give attendees an at-a-glance view of the day. These will be printed on FSC certified paper.

DESTINATION SELECTION

Orlando has a well deserved reputation as one of the most sustainable cities on the Continent, in choosing Orlando we took this into consideration alongside it being the location of a fantastic Platinum Leed certified Conference Centre. We’ve also selected as many hotels as possible within walking distance of the venue.

To learn more about Orlando’s sustainability, visit: http://Orlando.ca/sustainability/.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Recycling
Centerplate and the OCCC work in partnership on all recycling efforts.  The OCCC provides collection bins throughout the property and the OCCC’s Building Services staff collects all recycled materials placed in these bins including glass, aluminum, steel, plastic, and paper.  Per OCCC guidelines, Centerplate participates 100% in the current recycling program.

Centerplate also contracts with Darling International to recycle all of our grease and used cooking oil.  Both waste products are 100% recycled and tracked on a quarterly basis.   

Incorporation of Environmentally Friendly Products
Centerplate utilizes biodegradable disposable serviceware in all areas as applicable.  These items include PLA (corn based) cups & utensils, Bagasse (sugarcane fiber) plates and post consumer recycled content napkins.  We have committed to using 100% biodegradable products in our guest areas by January 2010.  Please see the attached press release for more information on this subject.

Seasonal, Locally Grown Foods – Fresh from Florida
Centerplate’s Culinary Team at the OCCC pushes the envelope in “Redefining Fresh” as a philosophy for menu creation and food preparation.  Led by Chef James Katurakes, a.k.a. Chef K., the Culinary Team consistently utilizes local, regional farmers for a variety of “Fresh from Florida” products such as fruit jellies, honey varietals, organic cheeses, vegetables, popular & unique citrus fruits, and a wide variety of seasonal items as well. 

Non-Toxic Cleaners 
As part of our overall green initiatives, we have switched some of our cleaning chemicals to non-toxic, eco-friendly Green Seal® certified cleaning products. The following is a list of the Green Seal® chemicals we are currently utilizing:  Clean & Smooth Lotion Skin Cleanser/Antiseptic, Digiclean Mild Foam Hand Soap, Wash ‘N Walk No Rinse Floor Cleaner, Oasis 146-3 Compartment Sink Sanitizer, and the environmentally-friendly Apex Dishwash Solid Detergent line.

Food Rescue 
The OCCC promotes and encourages the donation of all edible and safe surplus food products to local food rescue programs, such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.  Second Harvest is a private, nonprofit organization that collects and distributes donated food to more than 450 nonprofit partner agencies in six Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia.

Green Architecture 
Prior to beginning our contracted partnership with the OCCC, Centerplate presented the Center with architectural and design specifications for façade improvements in the Retail outlets.  We requested the contractor specify any available environmentally-friendly finishes and veneers as well as low-emission adhesives, sealants, paints, and laminate adhesives that might be applicable to our designs.  We were also able to use some of the discarded materials in a variety of re-construction projects.

The OCCC Purchasing Department has been diligent in helping us locate environmentally-friendly furniture for all Retail seating areas as well as Energy Star equipment as replacements for out-dated or non-functioning equipment.  The tables and chairs in each Retail food court are made from recyclable materials and are GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certified by the GreenGuard Environmental Institute. 

Welcome Reception
In an effort to promote a sustainability practice, we would like to encourage delegates to use the same glass/plates for refills. We will post signage at the bars/food stations. We need your help to be as sustainable as possible! Example:  Help us save water and energy please keep your glass/plates for refills.

ON-SITE OPERATIONS

MPI Staff Shirts
Made with strong silky organic cotton grown without chemicals in an Earth-friendly manner that reduces greenhouse gases, supports biodiversity, and preserves precious groundwater.

Flip Chart vs. White Boards
MPI will encourage speakers and MPI staff to use erasable Whiteboards over the use of Flipcharts.  This will help reduce the amount of paper waste generated by WEC. 

Heating/Cooling Usage
We’re trying to save energy wherever we can! Depending on the complexity of a set-up prior to our event moving in, and as long as safety allows, only decreased lighting will be available during pre-move-in times. Only at the start of a general move-in full lighting will be in place.  Similarly, no equipment will be powered up until pre-arranged times as necessary. HVAC system will not turned on during move-in or move-out times of an event. 

A centralized electronic system controls the lighting in all meeting space. Schedule for lighting is based on actual meeting room use with allowances for pre-meeting set-up or post-meeting strike of equipment after an event.  When meetings rooms are not in use, lights will be off. An electronic panel in every room allows for easy control of lighting to different levels when necessary.

Lanyards
PC/Nametag has created a custom lanyard made of reclycled polyester material for MPI’s WEC 2011.  This lanyard can also be used again at MPI events held at the local Chapter level, and even at other large scale MPI events. 

Registration Bags
We’re giving you the choice! WEC 2011 conference attendees have the option to not receive a registration bag.  Currently, half of the registrants for the conference have chosen to not receive a bag, take part! For those that do want a bag, instead of selecting a product that had to be manufactured specifically for the conference, PC/Nametag offered an existing product that was already in stock. MPI will be utilizing 2500 bags that have already been manufactured. The bags have been manufactured by a supplier accredited to the Quality Certification Alliance (QCA) which requires compliance on social accountability and environmental stewardship alongside a number of other areas. Click here to learn more.

TRANSPORTATION

Public Transportation
MPI encourages attendees to walk from the hotels located in direct proximity of the Orange County Convention Center. 

Public Transit Website: www.golynx.com 

Carbon Offset
We’re offering all delegates the chance to offset the entire Co2 generated by your travel to and from the event and participation onsite at the convention center and hotel. Your contribution will bring wind power to India providing a local rural population access to renewable energy and employment.

We have calculated that each delegate will contribute to 1tCO2e on average. This Carbon offset allows an individual or organization to offset the equivalent of its GHG emissions that cannot be reduced any further (“incompressible emissions”), by investigating in the GHG emission reduction projects in a developing country. This mechanism enables to reduce, in a developing country, a GHG volume equivalent to the one produced by the emitting country. Sign up through your registration!

Our carbon offset project for MPI events is a windmill Power Plant located in Devarkulam (India). Beyond positive impact on climate, this project provides the following sustainable development benefits:

• Wind energy for generating electricity instead of fuel based power plants,
• Alleviation of poverty by establishing direct and indirect benefits through employment generation 
• Improved economic activities by strengthening of local grid of the state electricity utility 
• Development of road network and improvement of electricity quality, frequency and availability as the electricity is fed into a deficit grid. 
• Investment of about INR 260 million to a developing region

This project is registered under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto protocol under #1053.

VENUES

The Orange County Convention Center's West building has achieved LEED Platinum status and offers some of the most advanced sustainable design features including: A 24,0000 sq. meter planted roof, on-site black and grey water recycling system, seawater heating and cooling, the most current energy management technology, natural lighting and ventilation and marine habitat in the foundation. http://www.occc.net/Community/green.asp

All venues have been asked to when possible:

• No heating used during events set up or tear down
• “Free cooling system”
• Use of high efficiency bulbs, energy saving and LED
• Light Sensors in stairs, toilets and corridors
• Venue creates renewable energy with photovoltaic plant of 100 KW
• Soon to receive ISO 9001 certificate 
• Separate recycling bins for delegates to use located in all important points at venue
• Registration
• Conference rooms
• Recycling points will be clearly signposted

Our Partners

Learn more about what our partners are doing in terms of sustainability.

Orange County Convention Center

Freeman

PC/Nametag

Conference Hotels have been asked to when possible:

• Instruct HOTEL housekeeping staff to shut blinds/curtains when guest rooms are vacant.
• Provide a linens/towel reuse program in guest rooms
• Provide a recycling program
• Provide clearly marked and appropriate recycling containers in common areas including lobby and HOTEL guest rooms unless HOTEL sorts and recycles recycled items back of the house.
• Instruct the HOTEL housekeeping staff to not replace guest room bathroom amenities (soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, mouth wash, etc.) daily unless they are gone.
• Use environmentally responsible cleaning products for carpets, floors, kitchens and bathrooms (minimum 50% of all cleaning products must be environmentally responsible)
• Provide number of MPI guests participating in the linens/soft goods reuse program
• Provide Number of MPI guests participating in guest room recycling program (if recycling bins available in the guest rooms).
• Provide Recycling Weight/amounts for Glass containers, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, table coverings, pallets, paper (newspaper, cardboard and other office paper) waste by weight for: landfill (non-recyclable materials).
• Click on the links below to see what else our conference hotels are doing
  • http://www.peabodyorlando.com/greener-peabody/
  • http://www.rosengreenmeetings.com/
  • http://www.thehiltonorlando.com/our-hotel/social-responsibility/index.cfm