Industry powerhouses, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership and Marriott International, Inc, are joining the Convene Green Alliance (CGA) for a one time event, highlighting the planning and implementation needed to create sustainable events.
The recent Focus Forum was titled: Learn How ASAE & The Center Commit to Sustainability at its Annual Exposition. The event was held at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va. Leaders shared how they went from concept to launching a strategic, social responsibility initiative with an eye towards environmentally friendly business and meeting practices.
An impressive group of panelists from ASAE & The Center including Amy Ledoux, vice president of meetings and expositions; Christopher Wood, director of social responsibility; Kristin Clarke, writer, editor and researcher; they were later joined by moderator Jay Hamilton, senior director, corporate public relations, Marriott International, Inc.
The panel offered attendees several takeaways from the session:
- How to leverage your business relationships by working the vertical market to maximize green initiatives.
- How ASAE & The Center put sustainable business practice into play to create a “wow” event; The Food & Wine Classic.
- The ASAE social responsibility website; tips, tools, resources, and case studies.
- What challenges and successes ASAE & The Center has had during its sustainability quest and how that can help other associations further their missions.
“ASAE & The Center offers credibility to the sustainability movement,” says Tracey Messina, executive director of CGA. “This session offered attendees a great opportunity to learn what an association made of up association executives and meeting planners are doing to satisfy the environmental demands of its members.”
“The timing of this event couldn’t be more ideal,” adds Jack Sammis, president and CEO of IMN Solutions, a leading association, foundation and meeting management company that founded and manages CGA. “Attendees have a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives in place before attending ASAE & The Center’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Los Angeles.”
