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Putting Sustainability First,
by Timothy Schneider, Publisher, Association News
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Findings from the study reveal that nearly three quarters (72 percent) of planners surveyed have increased their efforts in the last five years to take simple steps to embrace sustainable best practices, including 21 percent who indicated they have “significantly increased” their efforts. And when asked which sustainability measures they feel make the biggest positive impact, almost half (48 percent) said “reducing waste” and a third said “recycling or donating unwanted or waste materials.”

These findings are in line with practices at the recent IMEX in Frankfurt, where the IMEX team launched a new initiative called Waste Watcher, aimed at reducing waste by providing opportunities for everyone at the show (especially exhibitors) to reuse and recycle furniture, exhibit space graphics, flowers and printed items that would usually be discarded. Other sustainability initiatives at IMEX included a switch to using digital rather than printed show guides and printing badges on paper rather than plastic.

As event organizers ourselves, we applaud the efforts of IMEX Group and all meeting planners who take simple but important steps to lessen the wastefulness that often occurs around meetings and events. By promoting these practices among staffers, exhibitors and attendees, association executives can not only promote sustainability but also conserve the association’s precious financial resources.

Plan now to join us at Meetings Quest—the nation’s longest-running series of educational and networking events for meeting planners. Hosted by Meet AC, Meetings Quest will be held June 28–29 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Educational sessions on the hottest topics impacting meeting planners include a session on negotiating hotel and venue contracts with attorney Jonathan Howe—founding partner of Howe & Hutton and general counsel for Meeting Professionals International. A second session will focus on event safety and security and will be led by Steven Hacker, the former president of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events.

In addition to the educational programming, Meetings Quest in Atlantic City will feature an Opening Celebration with live entertainment on the beach and rolling-chair tours on the iconic Boardwalk. An inspirational keynote address by seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller and an afternoon appointment- based expo will round out the Meetings Quest program. For more information, please see page 17 for the destination guide and event schedule for Meetings Quest in Atlantic City, call 877-577-3700 or visit MeetingsQuest.com.
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Timothy Schneider is the publisher of Association News and SportsTravel magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating 156 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider Publishing also organizes Meetings Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting planners, and the TEAMS Conference & Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers. TEAMS ’17 will be held October 30–November 2, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. For further information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free 877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the United States.

The current issue of Association News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking here.
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Media Contact:
Timothy Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider Publishing Company, Inc.