Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Measurement: The Next Step

As evidenced at the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference last month, measurement and reporting of environmental impact has finally taken hold.  Presentations were no longer about educating participants on why measure, instead they included real-life statistics and information proving the value of green meetings.  Yes (fist pump)!

Venues, hotels and meeting organizers are validating their environmental and economic savings with data. Take a look at the stats from one session compiled by Shawna McKinley.  Reporting mechanisms such as calculators, case studies, and corporate reports are being used to tell the story.  Sustainable meetings are good business!

Greenwashing tales of why an organization is a "good corporate citizen" are now being questioned and the public wants solid facts and figures to back it up.  Social media, with its radical transparency, are pushing this trend forward.

It is heartening to witness this shift in the hospitality industry and know we are on the way to a more sustainable future.

photo credit: Green Meeting Industry Council

1 comment:

Melissa Tse said...

Hi Nancy,

I am a staff writer for MICE Now, a tourism and events publication baed in Shanghai. I'm currently writing a piece of on planning eco-friendly events, meetings and conferences. Would you be interested in speaking with us more on this topic? Please feel free to reach me at melissa.tse@gmail.com

Thank you,
Melissa