Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Meeting planners responding to the Green Meeting Industry Council survey answered the question:

"What percentage of the time do you include "green" clauses in your RFPs?

42% include green clauses

Now that is a lot of buying power as survey participants reported that 33% of their meetings were over 1,000 participants and another 30% were over 250 participants.

The ROI of Sustainable Meetings

"Where have you seen the greatest ROI in being involved with sustainability initiatives for you or your organization?"

That was the question posed to Green Meeting Industry Council members in a survey released this week. Their answers...

44.3% Increased Brand Marketing Exposure for the Organization
39.6% New Business Opportunities
33% Professional Development
25.4% Promotional Opportunities
13.2% Other

Survival Checklist

Thanks to Regina Baraban, Editor of Financial Incentives & Meetings for this 2009 Top Ten list for financial and insurance planners:

10. Sustainability. Our future depends of sustainable solutions. Keep moving forward with your green meetings and travel initiatives.
9. Creativity. When times get tough, the best planners get creative.
8. Community. We’re all in this together, reach out to colleagues.
7. Technology. Learn it and use it.
6. Education. Business content, not boondoggles, is the mantra for meetings in 2009.
5. Big Picture. Think strategically, not just logistically.
4. Return on Investment. Crunch the numbers to prove value.
3. Regulatory Reform. A new era of regulatory reform is about to begin and your meetings will not be immune.
2. Perception. In 2009, image is everything.
1. Humor.

Amazing how many of these can and do relate back to green meeting practices!

Green Travel On The Rise

According to a recent Business Travel News survey of 197 corporate travel buyers, 39 percent said they consider environmental issues in their buying processes. That is up from 29 percent in 2008. In a January CWT Travel Management Institute Report, 18 percent of 178 travel managers said managing an environmentally friendly program is a higher priority in 2009.

"People are concerned with making the economical right choices, but they are also being pressured to make environmentally good choices too," said Advito general manager Mary Ellen George.

Source: Green Profile Rises Despite Economy, by Seth Harris, Business Travel News, 04/06/09

Dangle The Right Carrot

In an attempt to Go Green...but mostly to save money, we drastically reduced the number of conference bags ordered for EclipseCon this spring. At registration, instead of just handing them a conference bag, we asked the participants if they wanted one. They were also told they would receive an extra drink ticket if they refused the bag. Surprising(or not) more than 50% wanted a drink more than a bag.

This also allowed the conference to eliminate sponsored items getting pre-stuffed in the bags. Take a look at the savings:

o on purchasing and shipping of the bags (50% fewer),
o on the cost of drayage with the decorator (lower poundage)
o less exhibitor promotional materials shipped
o no bag stuffing labor costs
o less trash produced

More than offsetting the cost of a beverage. Creative and fun solutions to the exiting challenges we face!