An Exploratory Study of the Importance of Sustainable Practices in the Meeting and Convention Site Selection Process

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop a list of sustainable practices at convention facilities and assess the importance of these items according to meeting planners. The recycling of items had the highest levels of importance. Significant differences were found between third party and association meeting planners’ levels of importance in the areas of water resources, energy efficiency, and recycling. Length of being a Certified Meeting Planner was not related to the importance of sustainability practices. Females placed more value on programs that capture separate organic waste for composting and on energy certification than did their male counterparts. Results give meeting planners and venues a clearer picture of the current state of sustainable practices and its importance in the meeting, incentive, convention and event (MICE) industry. However, further research is needed, and discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• convention tourism
• Certified Meeting Planners
• destination decision making
• sustainability practices

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Convention Industry Council for providing the sample to conduct this study and their input and support of the project.