Going Green - August/September 2010

Greening ASAE & The Center’s Annual Meeting From left to right are ASAE & The Center Writer and Researcher Kristin Clarke; Marriott Senior Director of Corporate Public Relations Jay Hamilton; ASAE & The Center Director of Social Responsibility Chris Wood; CGA Executive Director Tracey Messina Buonforte; and ASAE & The Center Vice President of Conventions & Expositions Amy Ledoux, CMP, CAE. Executives from ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, Marriott International, and the Convene Green Alliance (CGA) led a CGA Focus Forum on June 24 that highlighted the social responsibility and green initiatives at the 2010 ASAE & The Center Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles, August 21–24, 2010. Initiatives include carbon offsetting options , biodegradable lanyards, badge holders and registration bags; and sustainability programs at host hotels. www.convenegreen.com, www.asaecenter.org

MGM Resorts International has joined Convene Green Alliance, pushing the total membership for CGA to more than 900 association and industry partners. The most notable example of MGM Resorts’ sustainability efforts is the design and construction of CityCenter in Las Vegas, the world’s largest environmentally sustainable, mixed-use development to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. MGM Resorts International environmental programs are managed in five areas, including energy and water savings, sustainable design and construction, efficient waste management, environmentally friendly procurement programs, and an extensive education program about green initiatives for employees, guests and the surrounding communities. www.mgmresorts.com, www.convenegreen.com

MeetGreen aligns with IMEX America. The first IMEX America will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo October 11–13, 2011. To help the new U.S. trade show achieve its environmental

The Las Vegas Sands Megacenter.

objectives, the organizers have appointed MeetGreen as the show’s Official Sustainability Consultants. MeetGreen will work with the IMEX group and its partners to set green standards for transportation, food and beverage, and the venue in particular. Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation unveiled Eco 360, a broad-ranging energy efficiency and environmental initiative. With the recent LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certification of the Venetian and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the combined properties now comprise the largest adjoined LEED-certified building in the world (the Palazzo received LEED for New Construction Silver in 2008). IMEX America’s unique model will ensure that 2,000 hosted buyers from the association, corporate and agency sectors attend the show. “We intend to do our utmost to meet — and set — some very demanding green standards for IMEX America,” said IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer. www.imexamerica.com, www.meetgreen.com