Green Meetings

Did you know that the average U.S. meeting attendee, over the course of an event, uses more than 2000 BTU’s of electricity, consumes more than 800 gallons of water, and generates more than 80 pounds of waste according to a 2001 Environmental Protection Agency study? Albrecht Events can help you reduce the effect of your events and meetings on the environment. If you share our desire for stewardship of the earth, we offer several meeting and event solutions that help to offset carbon emissions.

Join us in producing environmentally responsible meetings. The choice is yours. Ask us about fair and local food choices, biodegradable name badges, carbon offset choices, and green contract addendums!

Simply Green: 10 tips for going green:
1. Purchase lanyards made from recycled soda bottles
2. Use flower seed paper for name badge stock and badge holders made of plant material
3. Use water stations in lieu of bottled water
4. Choose venues with detailed environmental policies
5. Use paperless technology for communications with attendees
6. Make sure recycling bins are available and visible in several locations throughout your meeting venue
7. Coordinate with your meeting venue to turn off lights and air conditioning in rooms not in use
8. Plan a meeting easily accessible by public transportation (Philadelphia is situated in the center of the Northeast Corridor, a simple train ride for visitors from Boston, NY, and Washington DC)
9. Resource locally grown and organic foods
10. Purchase reusable centerpieces and décor

Philly Green: 10 reasons to meet and be green in our home city of Philadelphia:
1. Philadelphia has one of largest car sharing programs in the world www.phillycarshare.com.
2. The Philadelphia Eagles are the “greenest” professional sports team in America www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gogreen
3. Philadelphia is conveniently located between Boston, New York, and Washington DC offering shorter commutes for those traveling along the east coast www.amtrak.com
4. An innovative team is currently working to bring Philly Bike Share to life www.bikesharephiladelphia.org/home
5. Philadelphia’s Center City District is installing a number of Solar-Powered Trash Cans www.bigbellysolar.com/products
6. Philadelphia is home to a number of restaurants serving organic and sustainable foods www.whitedog.com
7. The Philadelphia Convention Center uses green seal certified cleaning products, has a clearly defined recycling policy, and can automatic lighting system to reduce energy usage www.paconvention.com/home
8. Many of the city’s buildings have installed green roofs including The Free Library of Philadelphia www.library.phila.go
9. The Philadelphia Zoo can help you to offset the carbon emissions of your meeting by planting trees www2.philadelphiazoo.org/phila/Conservation/Footprints/Offset-Your-Footprint.htm
10. Philadelphia maintains one of the largest and oldest municipally-operated park systems, encompassing 9,200 acres, www.fairmountpark.org

For more Philly Green Facts, The Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has assembled this helpful guide.

Albrecht Events Green Practices

We use 100% recycled paper in all of our office printers
We use biodegradable trash bags
We work virtually and meet in the middle when necessary to reduce our miles on the road
We deliver our paper and cardboard to Paper Retriever bins to help out local community organizations
We consolidate meetings so we have fewer trips to make in a week
We continue to research new green products and services available to our meeting and event clients
We seek out and offer creative green solutions to our customers

Additional Resources for Planning a Green Meeting in Philadelphia
www.philadelphiausa.travel/philadelphia-page.php?tid=1228&pageid=481

Albrecht Events is a member of the Green Meeting Industry Council and the Sustainable Business Network.