BlueGreen Meetings
This is the best all-around resource site for planners looking to green their meetings. Blue Green Meetings is a charitable initiative with the goal of promoting environmental responsibility and sound business practices in the meetings trade. Access superior free tools, tips, sample contracts, checklists and best practices from the top green planners in the meetings trade.
Convention Industry Council
A meetings meta-association made up of 32 organizations with a stake in the health of the meetings trade, such as ASAE and DMAI, Convention Industry Council (CIC) is best known for running the CMP certification program. Of late, green meetings have become a special project of CIC, and, in 2004, the group issued a comprehensive report and best practices guide. The
CIC Green Meetings Task Force Report outlines best practices (pdf).
US Environmental Protection Agency Green Meetings
This government regulatory agency has a somewhat minimal site dedicated to green meetings.
U.S. Green Building Council
This organization accredits buildings as LEED Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Their directory of LEED certified projects represents a great list of potential green group venues.
Green Seal Lodging Industry Program
This non-profit organization helped California to develop green lodging guidelines for employee meetings and travel as well as for the general public. The Washington, D.C.-based group provides a somewhat limited but growing list of hotels for planners looking for properties certified green by a third party.
IMEX Environment Awards
The award recognizes meeting organizers who are environmentally aware by highlighting opportunities that now exist to stage business tourism events in green-minded venues. They also discuss issues of sustainability.
Green Hotels Association
This resource brings together hotels that are interested in environmental issues. The Green Hotels Association provides a listing of participating green hotels by state as well as approved vendors that is extremely helpful when planning green events.
Green Events Suppliers
This directory provides a web-based platform, showcasing socially and environmentally responsible suppliers. Green Events Suppliers gives detailed information relating to environmentally conscious groups that can aid your event planning decisions for green events.
