Asserting that, “As we launch headlong into the 21st century, sustainability is going to become a major issue for our industry,” then president Steven L. Peters of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) announced the formation of a Sustainability Task Force late last year. As Jeff Blosser, executive direction of the Oregon Convention Center, notes, “These words really didn’t mean much five years ago, but now we all have to pay attention and react to this new operating model. The triple bottom line is real and needs our attention for energy conservation, savings in dollars spent and improving the environment every day.”
The task force has three specific charges:
- To improve awareness of sustainability issues in all sectors of the public assembly industry
- To create opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information in support of sustainable facilities and best practices
- To develop practices and procedures that will support sustainability efforts in public assembly facilities around the world
Current president Robyn L. Williams, at IAAM’s July conference and trade show, voiced her commitment to growing the already significant green awareness and practices among event and meeting facilities. She announced that the task force will become a permanent committee deserving of further support from the IAAM Foundation, and that it furthermore will expand its reach and mission through research, education, and chapter meetings.
The Sustainability Task Force is overseen by the IAAM Industry Affairs Council, and is co-chaired by Gemma Prosser from Birmingham, England, and Allyson Jackson from Salt Lake City. For more information, contact Steven Peters at speters@venuworks.com.
IAAM is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to managers of public assembly facilities such as arenas, amphitheaters, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes.
Links:
“Going for the Green: Sustainability Makes Sense When It Comes to Your Venue” in Facility Manager
“Becoming Green Giants: Learning to Walk the Talk When It Comes to Sustainability Programs” in Facility Manager, with some excellent ideas of steps to take to go green
IAAM’s May 2008 webinar on implementing green cleaning practices
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