ESG


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 joins the Events Industry Council in the commitment to impact, inspire and empower the event industry to advance the Sustainable Development ConferenceDirect works to integrate the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals into our meetings and events. 

What ConferenceDirect, and our Event Hosts, are Doing:

DEI & Social Responsibility:

  • Group CSR activity at CDX benefiting a local Las Vegas organization. 

Wellness:

  • Wellness activities offered to all event attendees
  • 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. 

Housing

  • ConferenceDirect has arranged for housekeeping to be upon request only.  
  • Bulk guest-room amenities – shampoo, conditioner, body wash. 

Destination, Venue & Event Production 

  • Digital signage or reusable branding materials
  • Sustainable décor options, such as linenless tables and reusable centerpieces (when available)
  • Recycling and/or donation of event registration materials

Accessibility:

  • Live captioning available in CDX General Session room 
  • Scent-free recommendation for all attendees 
     

Caesars Palace & Caesars Entertainment Highlights:

Caesars Entertainment is committed to creating responsible and sustainable experiences across its portfolio, including at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. As part of its enterprise-wide commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence, Caesars has implemented impactful programs that promote sustainability, community investment, and wellness.

Sustainability Highlights:

  • Achieved a 22% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2019.
  • Diverted 44% of waste from landfill through comprehensive recycling and waste management programs.
  • CAESARS FORUM, a LEED Gold-certified venue, is recognized as one of the greenest meeting facilities on the Las Vegas Strip.
  • 10.8% of Caesars’ energy use in 2023 came from renewable sources, totaling approximately 284,300 MWh from on-site and green grid projects.
  • In 2023, Caesars completed a 6.6 MW solar canopy installation at its Harrah’s and Caesars Atlantic City properties.

Social Responsibility: Contributed more than $74 million in total community investment in 2023:

  • $66 million in mandated and discretionary giving
  • $2.7 million in value from over 83,000 Team Member volunteer hours
  • $3.8 million through the Caesars Foundation
  • $1.6 million in additional in-kind giving across corporate and property levels

Wellness Initiatives:

  • Launched a Meetings Wellness Menu in 2023, offering:
    • 160+ wellness-focused food and beverage options
    • 17 wellness speakers and practitioners
    • 19 curated wellness activities for meeting and event attendees
  • Hosted a six-stop wellness roadshow, educating planners on integrating wellness into events for a more mindful attendee experience.

To learn more about Caesars Entertainment’s corporate social responsibility and sustainability commitments, visit the Caesars Entertainment Meetings & Events CSR page.

 

Visit Las Vegas Highlights:

As an industry leader, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is unwavering in its commitment to conservation and sustainability. Our comprehensive Climate Action Plan outlines our ambitious mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) by 50% by 2030, and by 100% by 2050. In partnership with our valued tradeshow organizers, we will create a sustainable legacy and inspire positive change in Southern Nevada and beyond.

Click here to learn more about LVCVA’s sustainability efforts.  

 

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 Las Vegas, consider driving to CDX 2025. 
  • At check-in: decline daily guestroom housekeeping; opt to receive an e-Folio at departure, rather than a printed folio. 
  • Turn lights off and close window shades when leaving the guestroom for the day. 
  • Recycle your name badge/lanyard at the end of the conference. 

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.

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

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. 

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