ASTM, Convention Industry Launch Green Meeting Activity
Considering the effects of meetings on the environment is the purpose of a new activity launched by ASTM International and the Convention Industry Council through its Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative.
Responding to a request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ASTM and CIC have gathered a variety of stakeholders from government, business, and industry in Task Group E06.71.14 on Green Meetings and Events. The focus of the task group, which is currently being housed in Subcommittee E06.71 on Sustainability, part of ASTM International Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings, will be the development and implementation of industry-wide accepted practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions, and exhibition industry.
Interested parties are encouraged to participate. Vetting green meetings and events standards through the ASTM process will solidify their status as the standards to follow in creating green meetings and events.
In order to further consolidate their working relationship, ASTM International and CIC have recently signed a memorandum of understanding. The MOU outlines a framework of cooperation between ASTM and CIC to develop the core standards for green meetings and events.
The standards development process will be multi-faceted, incorporating many economic sub-sectors including lodging and hospitality, convention centers and trade shows, food service, transportation, and meeting planning, etc. Sue Tinnish, APEX director states, "The standard will take these interrelated sectors and define best practices and voluntary standards that can be implemented to create a more environmentally responsible meeting or event. The vision is to create a set of best practices that will help planners and suppliers alike navigate the sometime confusing process of making meetings and events green."
For technical information, contact Sue Tinnish, APEX, Convention Industry Council, Washington, D.C. (phone: 847-394-9857; stinnish@conventionindustry.org). Committee E06 meets Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Miami Beach, Fla.