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EXPLORING ECOTOURISM

Green Events
by Ron Mader

PLANETA FORUM

As the garden grows so does the gardener.
- Garden Notebook

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PHOTO GALLERY: Events


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Events offer an opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances. They also provide an opportunity to smooth over troubled relations (limar asperezas).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Conferences and trade events can be more eco- and people-friendly. The following recommendations have been culled from best practices around the globe:

COMMUNITY RELATIONS
How well locals are included -- from preparation to post event follow-up -- should be used in evaluating the success of any event. When locals are treated with respect, everyone wins.

PARALLEL CONFERENCING
Please, no more closed door meetings that do not include an opportunity for a virtual dialogue among interested parties before, during and after the event. As we propose in the Sustainable Tourism Wish List, interested constituencies without the money or time to attend the event in person should have the opportunity to participate.

ACCOMMODATION
When practical, use local B&Bs and small hotels. If the facility has environmental conservation programs, point out the details to guests.

REGISTRATION
Use less paper and offer online registration.

ENERGY
Lighting and energy efficient measures should be incorporated wherever feasible. Conference centers that maximize energy efficiency should communicate the details to their guests.

CULTURE
Feature local culture and entertainment.

FOOD
Serve locally grown products and organic food when possible. Point out such items on a menu. Food can be served in a buffet style in which participants can choose what they do and do not wish to eat. Additionally, many conference centers and restaurants support community food drives. Eco kitchens also find ways to compost.

PAPER
Far too much paper is wasted at events. The good news -- more conferences are going paperless!

RECYCLING
Recycle and explain the process to conference participants.

INFORMATION
Like food, information is best served self-service. Otherwise, brochures end up in the garbage. If you are distributing a conference program or background reading, distribute two-sided copies.

TOURS
Schedule a heritage walk. Local tours promote where the conference takes place and gives visitors a feeling for the neighborhood and a locals a chance to interact with conference participants.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION
For those concerned about the environmental impact of international transportation, review the pros and cons of Carbon Emission Offsetting.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Use shuttle services to and from the conference.

WATER
Serve water from pitchers. If using plastic bottles, make sure there is a receptacle for recycling and a means to refill the bottles.

RED FLAGS

What are the red flags of an eco- or people-unfriendly event?

Water is served in individual plastic bottles.

Recycling is not evident.

Locals are treated poorly or even excluded from the meetings.

The event is announced online, but no follow-up or summaries are posted.

Name badge holders are not reused.

Meals are served via paper or plastic disposable containers.

Sadly, such events are common. An academic ecotourism conference in California housed speakers at a chain hotel and served meals in cardboard boxes. A friend complains that an organic trade expo in Chiapas created "mountains of trash."

QUESTIONS

Should a charter or declaration be made without participation of all stakeholders?

YOUR TURN

Planeta.com asks readers to evaluate events in which you have participated or organized. Working notes are compiled on the Planeta Wiki: How green is your eco conference

 

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AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


REFERENCES

g Conferencing in the Virtual and Natural Worlds
g Green Events (2006)
g Events Evaluation Survey (2007)

FLICKR

g Rural Tourism Fairs 2001-2008
g What is the value of attention?
ONLINE FLICKR

WIKI

g Planeta Wikispace
g How green is your eco conference?
g Toward Effective Communication in Responsible Travel and Ecotourism
ONLINE WIKI

VIDEO

g Message for Responsible Tourism Conference
VIDEO

ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB

b Eco-friendly events can leave large, unfriendly footprints - G. Jeffrey MacDonald/USA Today

VOX POPULAR

Gastamos más tiempo en el transito que en el destino.


ABOUT THIS GUIDE

This Planeta guide is part of our professional 'How2' series featuring practical tips on press trips, media releases and media kits. We also coach the tough topics: on greening events and improving signage. It can be easy if you learn a few techniques.


PLANETA CONFERENCES

g Food, Health and Building Communities 2008
g Tourism and Climate Change 2008
g Ecotourism Challenges Dialogue 2007
g Urban Ecotourism Conference September 2004
g Environmental Impact of Transportation October 2003
g Sustainable Development of Ecotourism April 2002
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