ST. LOUIS, MO.—The board of directors of the International Association of Conference Centers introduced a rigorous Code of Sustainability at the 28th annual conference in March to encourage member properties around the globe to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices in nine areas: education and awareness, waste management, recycling, reuse, water conservation, purchasing, energy management, air quality, and food & beverage.

According to Lois Berg, chair of IACC’s Sustainability Committee (director of administrative services at The Johnson Foundation, Inc. – at Wingspread Conference Center), the Code will “allow member properties to commit to sustain and support IACC’s Environmental Policy, adhere to at least 75 percent of the tenets of the Code, and join other member organizations that have signed the Code in a global, association-wide effort to strive for greater sustainability.”

Following the annual conference, the Sustainability Committee sent the Code to members along with a survey to determine their status with regard to 59 practices. Members that responded to the survey indicated whether each of the practices was in place, planned or no plans.

Three Participation Tiers

IACC recognizes members that have signed the Code of Sustainability in three tiers. To qualify for the Platinum tier, they must have 100 percent of the Code’s practices in place; for the Gold tier, 85 percent of the practices are in place; and for the Silver tier, at least 75 percent of the practices are in place.

One member property has qualified for the Platinum Tier (The Johnson Foundation, Inc.—at Wingspread Conference Center), meeting 100 percent compliance with all 59 tenets. Sixteen member properties have met the Gold tier, and 14 member properties have qualified for the Silver tier.

A list of all IACC members that have met at least 75 percent of the tenets of the Code of Sustainability is available online along with the IACC Environmental Policy Statement and IACC Code of Sustainability. Click here.

SOURCE: International Association of Conference Centers