Sustainability & Social Impact

Mission Statement: Our mission at ConferenceDirect is to care for the world we live in, from the customers we serve to the ways we give back to our community.  At ConferenceDirect we strive to set an example not just in the meetings industry but for our associates, partners and the world.

Our global events industry has the ability and responsibility to drive meaningful change, create welcoming communities and improve society through our actions. 

ConferenceDirect is committed to creating a more sustainable world. We follow the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, that were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. The SDG provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. We have committed to a 30% reduction in our Carbon Footprint by 2030.

What ConferenceDirect is Doing: 
At APM you will see the following efforts in support of environmental and social responsibility: 
•    Social Responsibility / DEI:

• Group CSR Activity impacting Local Organization and Donation Option
• Hospitality Student Workshop for local Youth Group hosted at APM

•    Wellness: 

• Morning wellness activity and wellness break activities
• Fitness center use offered to all attendees

•    Food & Beverage

• Menus focused on healthy eating, lower water and carbon footprint options.
• Bulk beverage stations. Reusable beverage containers, glassware, or compostable/recyclable cups. 
• No pre-poured beverages for catered event. Any pre-set food limited to 80% of total expected attendance. 

•    Destination, Venue & Event Production 

• Pennsylvania Convention Center

  • LEED Gold Certified building

  • Obtained the gold level certification in line with the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event standards for venues.  Practices include:  

    • Energy saving reflective roof 

    • Energy efficient LED lighting 

    • Innovative cooling systems 

    • Reduced water use 

    • Safe cleaning products 

    • Expanded recycling initiatives 

    • Streamlined management of HVAC, lighting, power, elevators and escalators 

  • Members of the Center’s “Green Team” were awarded gold and platinum Sustainability Star awards for their outstanding service. 

  • Through a contract with VOLTUS, the Center has increased its portfolio to include the Synchronized Reserve Market Program. This will allow the facility to further reduce its electricity usage and creates an opportunity for consumers to play a role in the operation of the electric grid. 

  • Each year, the PCCA contributes significant funds toward training future hospitality professionals through programs at Philadelphia Academies, Inc., Mercy Career and Technical High School, and OIC Philadelphia. 

  • Supplier Diversity Program  

• PHLCVB – click here to learn more.  

  • One of the first CVBs in the U.S. to establish a division highlighting the destination as a diverse, equitable, and inclusive location for meetings, events, conventions, and visitors.  

  • Over 90% of hotels for convention attendees are within walking distance to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, greatly reducing the need for alternative transportation options and avoiding a significant number of emissions. 

  • Philadelphia’s public transportation service, SEPTA launched “SEP-TAINABLE” their award-winning sustainability program. Since the inception of the program, 15% of SEPTA’s electricity comes from clean, renewable energy and 9 out of 10 buses are hybrid-electric vehicles which reduce emission by up to 40%. 

  • Over 140 Indego bike share stations around the city. 

• Sustainable décor options, such as linenless tables and reusable centerpieces
• Recycling and/or donation of event registration materials 

•    Housing: Arrangement made for housekeeping to be by request only for attendees

What You Can Do as an Event Attendee: 
We encourage all attendees to join our efforts in support of environmental and social responsibility in the following ways: 

• Bring your own water bottle.
• If you are within driving distance of Arlington, consider driving to APM. 
• If you are flying to APM, take direct flights if available from your home destination and consider the additional flying information outlined below. 
• Take public transit to/from your home airport.
• Use alternative transportation to get around town
• At check-in: decline daily guestroom housekeeping; opt to receive an e-Folio at departure, rather than a printed folio
• Use digital marketing materials and giveaways in the Trade Show instead of printed items and promotional giveaways.
• Turn lights off when leaving guestroom for the day. 
• Recycle your name badge/lanyard at the end of the conference. 

Flying to the Event - Did you know that air travel makes up approximately 85% of an events carbon footprint?
Although flying is generally a significant source of emissions, there are some best practices you can follow to mitigate your carbon footprint when traveling:

1. Choose Direct Flights: Non-stop flights produce fewer emissions than connecting flights because takeoffs and landings are the most fuel-intensive phases of a flight.
2. Fly Economy Class: Flying in economy class allows for more passengers per flight, which distributes emissions among more people, making it a relatively more sustainable option compared to premium classes.
3. Fly on Modern Aircraft: Whenever possible, choose airlines that operate newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft. Newer planes are designed to be more environmentally friendly.
4. Offset You Carbon Emissions:  The below airlines offer the option to purchase carbon offsets when booking your air. You can voluntarily offset the emissions from your flight by supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.

• The Emirates
• Quantas
• Virgin Australia
• Delta Airlines
• British Airways
• Jetstar
• Air New Zealand
• United Airlines
• Air Canada
• Jetblue Airways
• Gulf Air

1. Pack Light: Reducing the weight of your luggage can help save fuel since heavier planes require more energy to lift off and maintain altitude.
2. Use Public Transportation: Whenever feasible, use public transportation to and from the airport instead of private vehicles. Public transit emits fewer emissions per person.
3. Support Airlines with Green Initiatives: Choose airlines that are actively implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint and support sustainable practices.
4. Consider Alternative Modes of Transportation: For shorter distances, consider taking trains or buses, as they generally produce fewer emissions per passenger compared to flights.
5. Pack Reusable Items: Bring reusable items like water bottles, utensils, and shopping bags to reduce the waste generated during your journey.
6. Minimize In-Flight Waste: Avoid unnecessary single-use items during your flight, and properly dispose of waste in recycling and trash bins provided.
7. Advocate for Policy Changes: Support policies and initiatives that encourage the aviation industry to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce emissions.

WHY ConferenceDirect encourages declining housekeeping and why it matters: 

1. Reduced Water and Energy Usage: Cleaning a hotel room involves laundering towels and linens, which requires significant amounts of water and energy. By reducing the frequency of these cleanings, hotels can conserve water and energy, thus lowering their environmental impact.
2. Less Chemical Usage: Cleaning products used in hotels often contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Reducing the frequency of room cleaning means less usage of these chemicals, which is beneficial for both the environment and human health.
3. Lower Waste Generation: Daily cleaning generates a substantial amount of waste, including used toiletries, packaging, and disposable items. By minimizing the frequency of cleaning, hotels can reduce the overall waste they generate and send to landfills.
4. Decreased Pollution: The process of laundering linens and towels can contribute to water pollution due to the chemicals used and the release of microfibers. Reducing the number of laundry cycles helps minimize this pollution and its environmental impact.
5. Extended Lifespan of Linens and Furnishings: Frequent washing and cleaning can lead to wear and tear on linens, towels, and furnishings. By reducing the frequency of cleaning, hotels can extend the lifespan of these items, ultimately reducing the need for replacements and conserving resources.
6. Guest Awareness and Behavior: Not cleaning the room daily can also raise guest awareness about sustainability. Guests may become more mindful of their resource usage, leading to them reusing towels and linens during their stay, which further contributes to water and energy conservation.
7. Staff Efficiency: Reducing the daily cleaning routine allows hotel staff to focus on other sustainability initiatives or tasks that contribute to the hotel's environmental efforts, making operations more efficient.

Remember that while these practices can help reduce your personal carbon footprint, the larger challenge of addressing aviation emissions requires a collective effort from airlines, governments, and the broader industry to invest in cleaner technologies and sustainable practices. 

Learn More: 

• 8 Ways to Make Your Event More Sustainable
• EIC Sustainable Event Standards