#Eventprofs: Please fill out the GMIC @greenmeetings sustainability survey. We need the data!

Last week, the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) sent out a survey on sustainability practices. Full disclosure – I work for them as Director, Sustainability.

The survey is part of a multi-phase study commissioned by GMIC that is being conducted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) titled An Analysis of Corporate Brands: How Corporate Brands Use Live Events to Underscore Sustainability Practices. Study results will be available in September 2016.

If you’re an event professional (planner, supplier, third-party planner), please take a few minutes (12-15 or so) to fill out the survey.

The purpose of this study is to gain a clear vision of the current sustainable/green practices in the meetings and events industry, and understand which sustainable practices are regularly implemented. The results aim to provide a sustainable events planning benchmark against which firms can compare their own planning, and provide guidance for planners and suppliers for new opportunities in sustainable meetings and events.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Dina Zemke and Dr. Yen-Soon Kim at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, thanks to support from the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau.

Here’s why I think this is important:

1. Planners need data. The more real data that we have about how sustainable events support organizations and their sustainability mandates, the better we’ll be able to communicate the value of this approach to our stakeholders and decision makers.
2. Suppliers need data. The information in this survey will help suppliers to know what is in greatest demand from a sustainability perspective so that they can prioritize their investments in sustainable infrastructure for the greatest impact.
3. The industry needs data. Let’s face it, people like to know where they are compared to others. These benchmarks will help us to set targets for events, and to know what we can do to stand out. It will also help us to track our progress in making the event industry more sustainable.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Thank you!