DENVER—The 2010 Sustainable Meetings Conference has opened registration with a new theme, keynote speaker Annie Leonard, a wide-ranging program, and the ambitious goal of drawing 500 participants to Denver from February 9 to 11, 2010. The conference theme, “Scaling it Up,” underscores the growing importance of sustainability in meetings and events, as well as surging interest in the Green Meeting Industry Council’s (GMIC) premier annual event (formerly the Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference).
“This conference is the opportunity for meeting organizers and hosts to address the sustainability issues that are redefining the industry,” said GMIC president Amy Spatrisano, CMP. “GMIC selected Denver primarily for its ability to draw a network of committed leaders with demonstrated experience hosting sustainable meetings and events, like the Democratic National Convention.”
Denver is also home to GMIC’s second official chapter, which has seen its membership grow 50 percent in the past year. The chapter will serve as host committee for the conference and lead the charge for GMIC’s annual community service project.
Focus on Green Meeting Standards
Building on the trash action challenge that participants adopted at GMIC’s 2009 conference, this year’s keynote speaker will be Annie Leonard, author and host of the online film, “The Story of Stuff.” The rest of the program is devoted to a series of interactive learning sessions centered on the APEX/ASTM green meeting standards, as well as the process learning methodology modeled in international event standards like the UK’s BS 8901. GMIC will use feedback from conference participants to develop a green meeting professional training series and certificate program in the coming year.
“We plan to involve conference participants in applying the checklists, standards, and reduction targets to their own organizations,” said GMIC executive director Tamara Kennedy-Hill.
“We want to balance targeted reduction goals within a consistent sustainability framework that encourages continuous improvement,” Spatrisano adds, “Each event that incorporates these integrated practices can help make a global difference.”
The call for presenters is live, along with conference registration and full conference details, at www.sustainablemeetingsconference.com.
