HSMAI's Affordable Meetings® Goes Green

MCLEAN, VA | Sustainable practices are top of mind with meeting planners, even the Democratic and Republican national conventions will go green this year. With a conference agenda focused on sustainability and a general session on "greening your meetings," HSMAI will kick off its own green efforts at the 12th annual Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings® West Conference and Exposition at the Long Beach, CA, Convention Center, June 11-12, 2008 by incorporating environmentally friendly operations into the day-to-day management of the show.

HSMAI plans to incorporate sustainable practices into its Affordable Meetings conferences and cut down on paper usage by switching to an electronic registration process for attendees, emailing badges prior to the show, posting the exhibitor set up manual online and distributing a CD containing all conference materials that will replace the traditional printed seminar book. Additionally, the conference journal will be printed on recycled paper. Attendees will receive biodegradable badges and lanyards along with re-usable tote bags made from recycled materials.

“We want to practice what we preach,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “By setting an example, we not only educate attendees on green practices, but we provide ideas for greening their own meetings as well.”

At HSMAI's Affordable Meetings West, the Long Beach Convention Center will provide reusable water bottles and water stations to cut down on the use of disposable cups. The conference attendee hotels are also conveniently located within walking distance of the convention center.

Additionally, the conference in Long Beach this week will feature a general session on ways planners can “green” their meetings without causing additional stress. Attendees will learn how to partner with eco-friendly meeting sites, discover why and how hotels and other venues are stepping up their investments in sustainability and about the latest developments in green meeting standards and metrics.

"Meetings and conventions can leave a hefty carbon footprint and the trade show industry is always looking for ways to reduce the impact meetings and conventions have on the environment," said Beth Petersen, show manager with GLM. "HSMAI's Affordable Meetings is showcasing how trade shows are taking steps to be environmentally friendly."

More than 700 attendees, representing meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military, are expected to visit HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West 2008 show. Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West is free-of-charge for qualified meeting planners.

Booth space is still available at the Affordable Meetings West and can be obtained by contacting Beth Petersen, show manager, GLM, (804) 261-3929; fax (804) 918-1547; e-mail: [email protected].

Other shows for 2008 include: HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo™, Sept. 10-11, 2008, Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Washington, D.C. Event Technology Expo™ (ETE) will be the first large-scale event dedicated to addressing all aspects of technology as it relates to tradeshows, meetings, and special events.

Attendee information for HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West is available by calling 914-421-3200 Ext 7777. For additional information and a complete program schedule, visit www.affordablemeetings.com. Click here to view the show program or go to .

About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® West | HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings West will once again offer attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with more than 250 exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that will showcase venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by GLM, a dmg world media business. Visit for more information.

About HSMAI | HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(r). Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 39 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone (703) 610-9024; fax (703) 610-9005, or visit the website at .