An Exploratory Study of Meeting Planners and Conference Attendees’ Perceptions of Sustainable Issues in Convention Centers

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the importance of sustainable concerns at convention centers among meeting planners and attendees. Sectors impacting sustainability within convention centers were drawn from the Convention Industry Council's Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) / American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards. Results from a sample of meeting planners and attendees suggest planners are willing to pay more to plan meetings at sustainability certified facilities. Attendees are willing to pay more to attend meetings at facilities providing staff trained in aspects of sustainability. Results suggest no statistically significant differences between levels of importance attached to sustainable issues by groups, but levels do differ based on demographic characteristics.