GMIC - 20 final thoughts

As I have mentioned, I live in Vancouver, where we do consider ourselves sustainable - not perfect but certainly taking some great steps. This week it was awesome to see, as they self - referred, the "Choir" of Green Meeting and Event Professionals at the GMIC event at the Doubletree Portland. By all accounts, a hotel ahead on sustainability, while still maintaining very high standards, excellent food quality and presentation, and yes, the warm cookies. (hello!!)

I blogged to support the (Spruce Almighty) team and became a virtual extension of the event. As they did say in their final wrap-up to keep communicating the message, I have just a few things to continue the conversation. I will note here that I have a lot of thoughts on being green and even more on being sustainable but as I have covered these in the blog links here, I won't rehash my pretty strong feelings and amazing examples. Instead a focus on the awesome information, lessons and next steps that came out of GMIC.

1. This is the "choir" who must now continue to spread the message of sustainability.
2. Social gaming, when properly structured, is an amazing tool for increasing the depth and breadth of learning, engagement and relationship building. Make the time to plan for it, communicate it, and promote it. Then debrief it.
3. Meeting and event professionals are ideally positioned to make huge impacts if we take even small steps on each meeting to make them more sustainable.
4. As strategists, we need to maintain our seat at the table, and ensure that sustainability is high on the agenda of every event's basic structure.
5. Open source your knowledge. When we share knowledge we open ourselves up to even more opportunities to learn and grow.
6. We must consider our entire supply chain, and engage suppliers in discussion about our objectives and expectations around sustainability.
7. We know sustainability is high on consumer and client wish lists. But "green" is just one factor. They also want to know if the people producing the product are being treated fairly, if there is cooperation, and that we care about where our products are being made and how.
8. We need to not only engage in discussion, but we need our suppliers and stakeholders to own the process with us and share responsibility for sustainability.
9. Social media is an amazing tool, not just for hybrid meetings, but also for continuing the discussions and growing the reach of the messages.
10. The messages must be consistent.
11. SMART goals are both important, but are also something as event professionals that we can work with our clients and stakeholders to better articulate - leading to meetings that are more productive. (pick the words that fit you best)
1. S - specific, significant
   M - measurable, meaningful, motivational
   
   A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
   
   R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
   
   T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable
12. Experimentation in safe environments is important to growth. Accept the growing pains, enjoy the innovations gained along the way. (no experimenting = no innovation)
13. Collaboration is the most important transformative tool.
14. Collaboration is "easier" when started face-to-face. It can be started with off-line tools, but it is trickier - off-line is an awesome way to continue the conversations. Indefinitely.
15. Standards can be sexy. Ask anyone who has given their time (and it takes TIME to reach consensus) to bring one standard after another to fruition.
16. The only way for standards to become standards is if we engage with and use them.
17. Think in bulk - save packaging where you can. Bring your own water bottle or mug for example and encourage others to do the same. (hotel soap / shampoo, condiments and so much more)
18. Apparently bags are on the way out (btw check these out - made from fabric reclaimed before it becomes landfill and sewn by home sewers)
19. Be a champion. Embrace the challenge. Sustainability is not an option.
20. Our First Nations ancestors plan ahead for seven generations. What will our world be like in seven generations if we don't step up and take responsibility now? 
Be the change you want to see!  Thank you so much to the board, leaders, speakers, presenters, staff, team and volunteers who all made this happen.