Feb 13, 2019
Sustainability and “green” practices are becoming standard for many corporations, driven by both a belief in corporate responsibility and by customer mindset. A recent Nielsen global online survey shows 81 percent of respondents feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment.
The initial worry that sustainable events would result in higher costs has subsided. In fact, it has been shown that environmentally-friendly events can actually cost less, as they require a more mindful approach to waste reduction. But there is still quite a bit of misperception related to what it… more
Feb 06, 2019
Last month, representatives of global events, tourism and sustainability bodies ushered in the new year with the launch of four Principles for Sustainable Events designed to guide and motivate event organizers worldwide to embrace and implement green practices.
This multi-stakeholder group, convened by the Events Industry Council (EIC) through two forums held during IMEX in Frankfurt and Las Vegas, agreed that the focus of these principles should include:
Shared responsibility for implementation and communication between event organizers and suppliers
Identification of basic… more
Nov 26, 2018
More than a decade after the launch of the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), now the Events Industry Council Sustainability Initiative, we’re still trying to make our events more environmentally friendly. One area where it’s easy to make a difference is food waste, or the reduction thereof.
“It’s really just having a plan going in about what waste you’re going to generate and trying to minimize that as much as possible,” said Sustainable Event Consultant Julia Spangler.
She continued, “Maybe you’re serving on all disposable dishes and using plastic cups or handing out a lot of… more
Nov 26, 2018
Julia Spangler is a sustainable events consultant and speaker specializing in waste diversion and zero waste events. Her website urges people to make sustainability a part of their events’ success stories and her services include green events, green weddings and helping venues become more sustainable. Spangler also recently launched an online course, “How to Plan Zero Waste Events,” that teaches event organizers how to keep waste out of the landfill, improve guest satisfaction and achieve zero-waste results.
I met Spangler at the ILEA Live 2018 conference, where she presented a breakout… more
Nov 26, 2018
Events are mirrors of the organizations and industries they serve, reflecting their values and priorities. Therefore, it’s no surprise that green initiatives have flooded the events industry as more and more companies include sustainability goals and practices in their missions. And just as sustainable practices can be good for business, reducing costs and potentially raising customer loyalty, for example, they can also be great for events for many of the same reasons.
Britt Zarling, vice president of corporate communications at Fiserv, notes that the company’s corporate values apply to all… more
Nov 26, 2018
The United Nations defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, there has been some murkiness as to what exactly that means with regard to events and what the definition of sustainability is for the events industry.
U.K.-based meetings and events company BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has put together a "Green White Paper" that attempts to help put an industry wrapper around the concept. Fueled by survey data, the paper discusses the differences between “green meetings,” corporate… more
Nov 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… more
Sep 17, 2018
After being introduced to environmental science and sustainability in high school, Jessica Glenn knew what she was meant to do with her life. As the Director of Sustainability at Freeman, Glenn is driven to help show organizers produce more environmentally friendly events that also maximize the attendee experience by getting them excited about and invested in sustainability. TSNN had a chance to sit down with Glenn to hear about her passion for green events, how some shows are pushing the envelope to lessen their environmental footprint and how it truly takes a village to create a sustainable… more
Sep 14, 2018
Less than a month after Vancouver became the first city in the world to adopt a comprehensive zero waste strategic plan and the first city in Canada to ban plastic straws and polystyrene containers, the city played host to Sustainable Brands, the annual global flagship conference of one of the leading corporate sustainability communities of brand innovators and sustainability professionals working to shape the future of commerce worldwide.
Held June 4-7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and for the first time in Canada, Sustainable Brands drew more than 2,300 participants from across the… more
Aug 28, 2018
Full-service event production company, Shepard, has launched a bold set of initiatives to reduce the 600,000 tons of garbage produced by the events industry each year.
Its ambitious efforts were recently recognized by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), which in May awarded Shepard with a certification for its sustainable printing practices – the first time an SGP certification has been awarded to a general services contractor.
A non-profit organization that certifies printing facilities’ sustainability best practices, SGP certifies printing facilities as part of its… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.