Sense & Sustainability: Reducing your Event Footprint

Agenda:

8:15 AM - 9:00 AM -  Registration, Coffee & Conversation
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM -  Welcome Remarks
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM - Session 1: Eco Friendly at the Point
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM - Break
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM - Session 2: Becoming a Sustainability Leader: Science, Solutions and Storytelling.
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM - Saybrook Point Resort & Marina Venue Tour
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch & Networking

Eco Friendly at the Point
With the natural beauty of the Connecticut coast in their backyard, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina is especially conscious of their commitment to oceanic, wildlife, and wetlands conservation. Saybrook Point is one of 400 Energy Star Rated properties in the United States. They were the first Green Lodging Certified hotel in Connecticut and are a member of the Green Spa Network. Saybrook Point also prides itself on its Farm to Chef Rated Program, as well as receiving the first Clean Marina Award in Connecticut. Join Saybrook Point's leadership team as they discuss their on-going practices and tour the property to see their green initiatives in action.

In this session, we'll discuss:

1. Location counts - learn what venues can do to reduce their impact on their surroundings
2. How green is a "green" venue - thinking beyond just recycling and waste reduction, how are venues conserving energy?
3. More than your meeting/event space - how properties are incorporating green practices into the attendee experience with food and beverage, transportation & more

 

Becoming a Sustainability Leader: Science, Solutions and Storytelling.
As we emerge from a pandemic, we’re confronted with an even bigger challenge: the unfolding impact of climate change on our industry and society. News of record heat waves, 100-year floods, raging wildfires, and floating islands of plastic provide daily reminders that we simply cannot continue with “business as usual.” As we rebuild the meetings and events industry, many among us feel inspired to build back better.
Fortunately, we already have the tools to address our industry’s biggest environmental challenges. And if we deploy them creatively, we can both improve the impact of our events and help to drive a broader movement towards a cleaner, healthier planet.

During this session:
In rapid fire format, we’ll identify and explore the science behind the three biggest sustainability challenges faced by every event. Then we’ll present practical, straightforward solutions that enable you to transform these environmental liabilities into opportunities to drive positive change. Along the way, we’ll share examples of using the power of storytelling to inspire your colleagues and delight your event attendees.

Course participants will have the opportunity to work in intimate groups and learn from their peers as they contemplate deploying sustainability tactics within the context of events they manage, host or supply. Together we’ll celebrate the ideas, challenges and hard questions that emerge as we remake the meeting and event landscape.

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Meet Our Speakers:



Eric Zimmerman
Founder & CEO, TripZero

Eric Zimmerman founded TripZero to address one of the fastest growing contributors to climate change—the massive carbon footprint created by event travel. As a Sustainable Event Planner, the company sources everything from single hotel meetings to city-wide events for clients that range from buttoned-down finance conferences to reggae festivals. Then, TripZero calculates the carbon footprint created by event attendee travel and offsets it by funding renewable energy and reforestation projects—for free. Along the way, the company collaborates with clients to share sustainability stories that delight attendees. As a Certified B Corp, TripZero joins a global community of companies using business as a force for good that includes leaders like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s and Athleta.

Eric’s involvement in sustainable enterprise began when he ran a large book publisher with over 10,000 titles in print. He guided the enterprise to a responsible manufacturing strategy that saved 50,000 trees and 20 million gallons of water while eliminating 5 million pounds of CO2 emissions. To spread the word, his team launched a product labeling initiative that educated millions of consumers on the environmental benefits of products made with post-consumer recycled paper.

Eric lives in Carlisle, Massachusetts where he and his family recently completed a zero-energy renovation to their home. The effort reduced total energy consumption by almost 70%. And the addition of a large solar system enabled the building to achieve a carbon-positive rating while also supplying enough solar energy to power two electric vehicles. Eric holds a degree from Cornell University. He is also a member of Meeting Professionals International. 

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Pricing:

Member: $65.00
Non-Member: $90.00
Past President: $50.00
Student: $50.00

The Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, offers a little bit of everything to make your stay exceptional. Expect an attentive staff to greet you at arrival and assist in finding the perfect accommodations with brilliant views to match, and this is just the beginning. Discover the true meaning of revitalization and relaxation at our spa or find your perfect stride in our state-of-the-art fitness center. Savor the fresh, local ingredients found throughout our thoughtfully curated menu at Fresh Salt. Or, if it’s not all play, allow our perceptive meeting planners to help you create the ideal corporate event with perfectly executed details at the ready. We strive to offer something for everyone and are always happy to help you plan a trip to best suit your needs.



Thank You to Our Event Gold Sponsor:

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Thank You to our Sponsors!

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Official Registration Partner: