WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA.—A collection of eight new ASTM International standards will provide meeting and event planners and their suppliers with specific guidelines and performance measurements for creating environmentally sustainable or “green” events.
The standards have been in development since 2007, when Subcommittee E60.02 on Hospitality, part of ASTM International Committee E60 on Sustainability, partnered with the Convention Industry Council through its Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative to address the tremendous need for uniform standards that measure environmental performance in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. APEX promotes development of industry-wide accepted practices to enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings industry.
“This is a major accomplishment representing collaboration between ASTM International, the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and hundreds of volunteers across North America and Europe,” says Sue Tinnish, Ph.D., chairman of Subcommittee E60.02. “Sustainability is a strategic concern for planners, suppliers and the organizations they represent.”
Eight Areas Covered
The approved standards cover the evaluation and selection of the following topics as they relate to sustainable meetings, events, trade show and conferences: ASTM E2741, destinations; ASTM E2742, exhibits; ASTM E2743, transportation; ASTM E2745, audio visual (A/V) and production; ASTM E2746, communication and marketing materials; ASTM E2747, on-site offices; ASTM E2773, food and beverage; and ASTM E2774, meeting venues.
A ninth standard on accommodations (ASTM WK22056) is still under development and will be available at a later date. To see more information, including the scopes of the standards, visit www.astm.org/COMMIT/SUBCOMMIT/E6002.htm.
“The level of specificity required and accountability of both the planner and supplier that is built into these standards is unprecedented,” Tinnish says. “The standards provide planners and suppliers a path to jointly support more environmentally sustainable meetings.”
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