Greening the Convention

Sustainability and minimizing our impact on the environment is important to IYNAUS and our convention planning. We’re using innovative practices that lessen our impact on the environment. Along with our other green measures, IYNAUS is trying to be a model for others to reduce the environmental impact of events.

IYNAUS has enlisted the services of MeetGreen, a meeting management company that specializes in “green meetings.” The company’s MeetGreenSM Certification Program quantifies our actual environmental savings and assigns points according to environmental impacts in eight guideline categories: destination selection, accommodation selection, meeting and venue selection, transportation, food and beverage, exhibit production, communications and marketing, and onsite office procedures.

Following are some of the resourceful measures that will green this year’s convention.

Destination selection

Environmental aspects of the destination (Portland, OR) were considered when selecting the host city, including venues and suppliers with environmental practices, availability of waste reduction and recycling, local transit, and energy and water conservation programs adopted by the host city, venues and suppliers.

Transporation

The convention venue was chosen so that attendees can walk to the sessions.
Attendees are encouraged to choose ground transportation options that minimize their carbon footprint such as mass transit, rail service, car sharing or shuttle service.

Guest accomodations

Housekeeping will leave old containers of partially used toiletries instead of replacing.
Hotel staff is instructed to turn down the heat/air-conditioning, shut drapes, and turn off the lights when rooms are vacant.
A towel and sheet reuse program is in place for all sleeping rooms.

Food and beverage

Recycle and/or a compost program for throw-away food waste.
Use china / glassware on all banquet / catering functions.
Cloth napkins are used in all banquet functions.
Eliminate the use of polystyrene products for banquet/ catering functions.
Condiments served in bulk containers, except sugars and sweeteners, in banquet functions.
Eliminate the use of disposable service-ware.
Menus will be chosen with local, organic and sustainable products when possible, and only vegetarian meals will be served.
Donate leftover food to a local charity.

Meeting management and exhibits

Recycling bins for glass, plastic, metal and paper available on all meeting floors.
Leftover and unused tote bags, product samples, etc. will be donated to a nonprofit organization.
To avoid paper waste, exhibitors are requested to print handouts on 100 percent post-consumer paper with vegetable-based ink and bring a minimum amount to distribute.
The exhibit freight transportation company is requested to use biodiesel fuel.
Convention registration is entirely online and confirmations are electronic.
Convention office equipment is all EnergyStar rated.

We hope that by investing in these activities, the convention demonstrates IYNAUS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.