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EcoSummit 2012 E-Newsletter: August 2012
Sustainability at the Forefront of Green Events Guide and Green Ribbon Program
EcoSummit 2012 is bringing together the world’s most respected minds in ecological science to discuss restoring the planet’s ecosystems, and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) signature environmental conference, Summit on Sustainability & the Environment, returns to central Ohio on October 3 as a featured event of EcoSummit 2012.
EcoSummit 2012 offers a once in a generation opportunity for central Ohioans to promote ecological sustainability on the world stage and showcase the environmental sustainability achievements of the region and state. With this in mind, it became a priority to incorporate sustainability principles into the event to reflect the values embodied in the conference and minimize the environmental footprint of the event. Not only will we strive to make the event as green as possible, but we also hope to leave a legacy that goes beyond EcoSummit 2012.
The Sustainability & Materials Management Green Events Guide was developed to assist event planners, venues, suppliers/vendors, exhibitors and hotels in implementing sustainable practices to make events and services greener. The guide includes a menu of actions and recommendations based on the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Standards for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences, the United Nations’ Green Meeting Guide, and the experience of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center has made significant strides toward greening the facility and their operations, as demonstrated by their goal to attain LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) Silver Certification. LEED is a program that seeks to minimize the impact that buildings have on the environment. The Convention Center is taking an integrated approach to its building operations that include aspects of energy, water, light, landscape, and waste. ARAMARK is the exclusive provider of all food and beverage services for the Convention Center, and they have also implemented several conservation practices, including pre-consumer kitchen composting. Both the Convention Center and ARAMARK are committed to making the event as green as possible.
The event guide is organized into five sections: event planners, venues, exhibitors, vendors/suppliers and hotels. Each section contains a menu of actions applicable for implementation by those represented in each section. The actions are intended to provide as many options as possible. While ideally every action would be implemented, it will not be possible in every situation.
The EcoSummit Green Ribbon Recognition Program promotes exhibits that incorporate sustainability principles. The program will recognize exhibitors that implement the sustainability principles by displaying a Green Ribbon in the exhibit. The program consists of eight green initiative areas related to the common aspects of an exhibit. Each green initiative area will list at least one implementation action that has been assigned value points for a total of 120 points. To earn a green ribbon, the exhibitor must select and commit to implement actions totaling a minimum of 75 points.
The Convention Center and the following partners assisted with the guide:
• Angel Arroyo-Rodriguez, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA)
• Kristi Higginbotham and Melanie Stanley, Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO)
• Bob Thomas, Exhibit and Event Management
• Brandi Whetstone, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
See other articles in the August 2012 newsletter:
- Food Security to Be Addressed at EcoSummit 2012
- Register Now for MORPC's 2012 Summit on Sustainability & the Environment
- A Celebration of Silent Spring
- EcoSummit 2012 International Film Festival: Call for Submissions
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