Social Responsibility at Annual
Creating a Sustainable 2012 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition
2012 is the fifth year that ASAE has integrated social responsibility into every level of our meetings and events management. These efforts — which range from as major as the site selection to as minor as opting out of pre-poured water at a board dinner — demonstrate that we take our commitment to operate sustainably seriously. In fact, our recognition of the need for ASAE and the wider association community to help lead and grow the green meeting movement is one reason why we signed the Global Principles for Socially Responsible Associations & Nonprofits, which includes sustainable event planning in its framework.
Our green meeting strategy aims to lighten our environmental impact and give back to the host community in meaningful ways, while simultaneously providing outstanding service and experiences to our attendees. We also hope to build awareness about what we as individuals and organizations can do to contribute to society through experiences and learning that strengthen ourselves and the entire sector.
The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, our 12 host hotels, and our vendors and exhibitors all have been critical partners in our sustainability efforts — thanks, y'all — but you as an attendee also can make a difference to the planet during your trip.
Below are highlights of the actions we're taking with these partners to live our sustainability commitment and to provide a stellar meeting experience for you. We'll be updating this information regularly, so check back often to monitor our progress and feel free to share your suggestions by e-mailing Amy Ledoux, aledoux@asaecenter.org. For information on the Global Principles or the ASAE Convene Green Alliance of green meeting planners, visit www.asaecenter.org/srprinciples or contact Christopher Wood, cwood@asaecenter.org or Kristin Clarke, kclarke@asaecenter.org.
A Journey of Learning
Sustainability can be a major business driver if aligned with core values and competencies and well-integrated at all levels. That requires active learning, as well as serious conversations, experiments, monitoring, and evaluations.
ASAE wants to help by offering a range of education sessions and speakers who will demonstrate the role sustainability plays in almost every functional area of an organization. Check the roster and choose any of the numerous sustainability-related topics to explore, from ethics to green communication.
And, of course, you'll find plenty of sustainability resources, cases, tools, and news at www.asaecenter.org/socialresponsibility if you just can't wait. You can also swing by the Connection Central Lounge to pick up materials and share your thoughts and needs in this regard with ASAE staff.
For the 2012 conference, we looked hard at numerous RFPs before choosing a site with an active sustainability strategy that is paying off.
In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the City of Dallas for becoming one of the largest green power purchasers in the nation. The EPA also recognized that Dallas was the first U.S. city to be ISO 14001-certified across all of its major operations. The international certification outlines environmental goals for organizations and communities needed to exceed environmental compliance and to continuously diminish the eco-impacts of their operations.
"The City of Dallas is committed to being the greenest city in America, and we intend to lead by example," says Mayor Tom Leppert, according to the city's website. For more information about green initiatives in progress , visit www.greendallas.net.
Among the most visible sustainable buildings in Dallas is the LEED Silver-certified Dallas Convention Center, one of the greenest facilities in the nation. It has long invested in myriad actions to reduce the ecological footprints of both the facility and those who visit it. Of particular focus have been installing 54 rooftop solar panels that heat the facility's water, upgrading the energy efficiency of the heating and air conditioning, and reducing energy usage by almost half and water usage by 18%. As a result of tougher recycling efforts, up to 70% of waste generated at an event can be kept out of local landfills.
The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau also is an active member of ASAE Convene Green Alliance (CGA), which promotes and teaches planners how to make meetings and events more eco-friendly. If you are a meeting planner interested in sustainable meeting management, please consider a FREE CGA membership. You'll receive invitations to free green meeting-related education sessions and networking events; a bimonthly e-newsletter with templates, tools and other time-saving resources; and website resources at www.convenegreen.com. If you are interest, please e-mail Christopher Wood, CGA executive director and director.
