Certifications & Commitments

BS 8901

MeetGreen® became the first North American event management firm to join the exclusive ranks of those who have been certified under the British Standard Sustainable Events Certification 2009 (BS 8901:2009), the British Standard that attests to the highest degree of expertise in producing sustainable meetings and events. The standard is pending approval to become part of the prestigious ISO (International Standards Organization), the world's most widely recognized certification body.

The British Standard International website describes the certification as follows:

BS 8901 encompasses the entire range of events ranging from large scale conferences and unique events such as the 2012 Olympics to music festivals and air shows. The standard is applicable throughout the sector supply chain encompassing venues, organizing companies and industry contracting firms and is aimed at the following groups:

• Event organizers
• Venues
• Organizations and/or individuals in the supply chain

BS 8901 provides guidance in the form of easy to understand practical information designed to assist the user to implement the requirements and those in event management to manage their environmental, financial and social risks and impacts spanning all aspects of event management.

BS 8901 will:

• Help companies to improve sustainable performance within available budgets
• Reduce carbon emissions and waste, improving the resource efficiency of the entire event supply chain
• Present opportunities for more efficient planning and encourage the re-use of equipment and infrastructure. The standard covers:
• Reduce environmental impacts such as carbon usage, waste management and effects on biodiversity
• Improve social impacts such as community involvement and fair employment
• Establish economic impacts such as local investment and long-term viability

Further Reading:

• Press release about our certification
• Download our first Corporate Report
• "Get Certified": Interview in Smart Meetings with our own Shawna McKinley
• BS8901 Certification website

UN Global Compact

The principals of MeetGreen® signed the UN Global Compact in September of 2008. By signing the world's largest corporate citizenship and sustainability initiative, MeetGreen® signals our dedication to developing internal practices that reflect and drive the principles of the program. As part of our commitment, MeetGreen® submits an annual Communication on Progress (COP). Please download our first Corporate Report here.

The UN Global Compact Website describes the initiative as follows:

The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. By doing so, business, as a primary agent driving globalization, can help ensure that markets, commerce, technology and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.

The UN Global Compact presents a unique strategic platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship. Structured as a public-private initiative, the Global Compact offers a policy framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of sustainability principles and practices related to its four core areas. Indeed, managing the enterprise risks and opportunities related to these areas is today a widely understood aspect of long-term "value creation" -- value creation that can simultaneously benefit the private sector and societies at large.

For more information, download an official brochure from the UN Global Compact Website here.