Green Meeting Industry Council

Green Meeting Industry Council
Name	Green Meeting Industry Council
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	2002
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Global
Focus	Sustainable events, meetings, conferences

Green Meeting Industry Council The Green Meeting Industry Council was a nonprofit organization focused on promoting sustainable practices within the meetings and events sector. It engaged stakeholders across the hospitality, convention, trade association, and corporate meeting communities to reduce environmental impacts and advance social responsibility. The council worked with venue operators, convention bureaus, event planners, certification bodies, and industry associations to embed sustainability into procurement, operations, and legacy planning.

History

Founded in 2002, the organization emerged amid increasing attention to environmental initiatives showcased at gatherings such as the Earth Summit and the World Economic Forum. Early collaborators included actors from the American Society of Association Executives, International Congress and Convention Association, Convention Industry Council, U.S. Green Building Council, and regional Convention and Visitors Bureaus such as Visit Britain and Tourism Australia. Over time the council engaged with professional bodies like Meeting Professionals International and Association of Corporate Travel Executives while responding to events including the Kyoto Protocol discussions and the rise of corporate sustainability reporting influenced by frameworks such as Global Reporting Initiative and Carbon Disclosure Project. The group evolved alongside technological developments from vendors like Cvent and Eventbrite and intersected with standards from ISO 20121 and the LEED program of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Mission and Objectives

The council’s mission emphasized reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste, and enhancing social responsibility at conferences and expos. Objectives included education for planners tied to curricula from institutions like Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, development of best practices informed by research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and University of California, Berkeley, and advocacy aligned with policy actors such as the United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The organization also aimed to influence purchasing through collaborations with corporate buyers at General Electric, Microsoft, and Google and to support community legacy efforts inspired by initiatives like the Olympic Games sustainability programs.

Programs and Certifications

Programming combined toolkits, training, and recognition. The council promoted alignment with standards including ISO 14001 and ISO 20121, while referencing credentials from LEED, BREEAM, and third-party verifiers such as Green Seal and UL Environment. Training partners included academic providers like Michigan State University and continuing education programs from George Washington University. Tools and calculators used data sources such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and lifecycle assessment work from Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The council coordinated pilot projects with technology vendors such as Encore Global, PSAV, and Marriott International and referenced certification models akin to Fair Trade USA for supply chain integrity.

Membership and Governance

Membership spanned professional planners, meeting suppliers, destinations, and corporate meeting buyers including representatives from Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group, Omni Hotels & Resorts, AccorHotels, and regional bureaus like Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and New York Convention Bureau. Governance structures reflected nonprofit best practices similar to boards seen at American Hotel & Lodging Association and International Association of Exhibitions and Events, with committee models comparable to Sustainability Accounting Standards Board working groups. Leadership development drew on mentorship models from Association of Fundraising Professionals and Society for Human Resource Management.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The council forged partnerships across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors with entities including World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and academic partners such as University of Michigan. Industry collaborations involved Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association, Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, and technology platforms like Eventbrite and Cvent. It engaged standards bodies like ISO committees and sustainability initiatives such as the Global Reporting Initiative and the Carbon Trust, as well as municipal partners in cities including Vancouver, Barcelona, Sydney, and Dubai.

Impact and Industry Influence

Through guidance, case studies, and conferences, the organization influenced procurement policies at corporations and destinations, referencing examples from Apple Inc., Adidas, and IKEA sustainable sourcing programs. It contributed to reduced waste and energy use at major events including trade fairs modeled on CES and conventions similar to Comic-Con International, and informed legacy planning for multisport events like the Olympic Games and cultural events such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its work intersected with climate policy dialogues at forums like the United Nations Climate Change Conference and business networks such as the World Economic Forum.

Awards and Recognition

The council administered and inspired award programs recognizing sustainable meetings, drawing comparisons to accolades from Green Key Global, Sustainable Event Alliance, Travelife, and hospitality awards from publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Member achievements were highlighted in industry outlets including Skift, Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Trade Show News Network, and academic case studies published by Harvard Business School.

Category:Organizations established in 2002 Category:Sustainability organizations