Meet Sustainably in Brussels

November 26, 2018

As the desire for sustainable meetings and events grows, so does the need for sustainable cities in which to hold them. The city of Brussels, Belgium was ranked ninth in the 2009 European Green City Index and now, a decade later, the city is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the “Green city of Europe” by 2024.

“As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet,” said Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, director of the Convention & Association Bureau at visit.brussels. 

She continued, “The city was voted the number one sustainable city in Europe in terms of environmental policy in the European Green City Index and holds the number 10 spot in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS)-Index. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe with 28 square meters of green space per inhabitant and is one of the most active cities in the area of passive construction with more than 265,000 square meters of exemplary buildings.”

The first step toward holding a sustainable meeting is finding a sustainability-friendly venue. Choosing a destination that is easily accessible via public transportation helps cut down on carbon emissions. If your event is too large to host in a hotel, offer sleeping room accommodations as close to your venue as is possible. 

Visit.brussels recommends selecting properties that have shown care about sustainable development (eco-friendly accommodation) and pursue a policy of corporate social responsibility (CSR), or have been awarded an eco-label such as the Green Key

The Green Key program, an initiative of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), aims to promote sustainable development in tourism infrastructure. The bureau provides a list of hotels, venues and other accommodations within Brussels that have been awarded this designation, and for larger meetings, a list of sustainable venues.

Minimizing waste is another important element of sustainable meetings. But for planners and venues to be able to do this most effectively, the infrastructure for recycling and waste management needs to be in place – which often requires a city-wide initiative. 

“Brussels is a leader in waste management and number one in Europe in the recycling of packaging waste,” von Ingelgem said. “There is a strong political will to make Brussels a pioneering city in sustainable and responsible tourism.”

She continued, “The Brussels-Capital Region focuses strongly on the circular economy (PREC program), good food and the fight against waste (Good Food Brussels). Last but not least, the most polluting vehicles have been progressively banned since 2018 from the Brussels-Capital Region as part of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) strategy.” 

Brussels is in the process of developing a regional sustainable development plan that will include a sustainable city district, sustainable neighborhoods and a mobility center promoting sustainable mobility. 

Visit.brussels offers a helpful guide for event planners who wish to hold more sustainable meetings. The guide, developed by the MPI Belgium Chapter and funded by the Brussels Institute for Environmental Management (Bruxelles Environnement) as part of the Meetings Go Green project, provides event managers with tools, best practices and courses of action to help them organize eco-friendly, low-waste activities.

Download your complimentary copy of the Meetings Go Green guide HERE.

 

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact