2008 Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference - Greening Initiative

The 2008 Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference is being held with green principles in mind. Our first goal is to do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint, and then secondly to offset those emissions we cannot avoid.

Find out how we are reducing the environmental impact of our meeting.
Find out how you can help!

In addition, the GMIC is partnering with Offsetters Carbon Neutral Society to offset the emissions produced by our event. Your support is integral to making a more energy efficient, green-powered world possible by supporting additional projects that are based locally in our host destination, as well as globally.

Offset your conference attendance now.
Why are we offsetting this way?

The Green Meeting Industry Council is greening our conference by:

• Selecting destinations that are able to respond to green requirements in our RFP.
• Requesting and contracting the hotel and caterer to comply with environmental practices that reduce waste, conserve water, promote energy efficiency and air and water quality.
• Printing our conference program and delegate list on 100% post-consumer recycled content paper, using soy-based inks.
• Discouraging handouts and making presentations available online.
• Requesting exhibitors to minimize collateral material and provide sustainably-minded giveaways.
• Providing a paperless registration service.
• Collecting and re-using name badge holders and lanyards.
• Partnering with the Vancouver Food Bank in an on-site volunteer program. We also invite delegates to contribute to our Food Drive for the Vancouver Food Bank, where your $2 donation purchases $6 in food for the needy in the city. Donations can be dropped off at registration.
• Providing 10 scholarships to students to attend the Green Meetings 101 Training Seminar.
• Providing a carbon offset program.

The Four Seasons Hotel has committed to implement the following for our event:

• A recycling program that includes paper, glass, plastic, metals and organic waste (compost).
• A food donation program for any left over un-served food.
• China and linen meal service.
• Condiments in bulk and juices, water and ice tea in pitchers instead of individual containers.
• Menu selections that include local and organic products and provide vegetarian options.
• Amenity donation program for any unfinished toiletries.
• Use live, edible and/or re-useable decorations.
• Practice energy efficiency by turning off lights and HVAC when rooms are not occupied.

We encourage you to join us in greening our conference by:

• Walking or taking transit in the city, rather than taking a taxi. The Four Seasons is conveniently located near the Granville Street bus corridor and Skytrain Station. For transit information please click here. The Airporter also operates regular bus service between the Airport and downtown hotels.
• If you must take a taxi go hybrid! Yellow Cabs operate a hybrid taxi fleet with over 40 vehicles in Vancouver.
• Turning off the lights and heating in your room when it is not occupied.
• Bring your own re-fillable mug.
• Reduce what you use and recycle what you can!
• Participate in our carbon offset program.