Sustainable Meetings

Meeting Planning

Electronic Sales Tools

The traditional meeting planning process requires the use of tremendous amount of paper. By utilizing multiple electronic tools, we significantly reduce paper usage in the meeting planning process and encourage the use of web and email based business conduct.

• E-menus - Online menus allowing hotels to adjust their menus and pricing easily. Hotels can send the URL to the menus via email to meeting planners
• Floor plans and capacity charts - Allows meeting planner to view hotel's floor plans, room plans, and capacity charts online
•  StarGroups - Allows meeting planner to personalize their own event website, with logos, messages and a unique URL for attendees to book group rooms within a block for any upcoming event or best available rates after cutoff
• Reservation Connection - An automated process for uploading rooming lists into hotel Property Management systems via an excel spreadsheeet or third party housing bureau interface; removing the need for manual entry and paper rooming lists.  Meeting planners post the rooming list online via a secure (password protected) website.
• Reservation Cross Check - Enables hotels to quickly compare a meeting planner's attendee registration list with an in-house reservation list to acheck who has booked within a block or outside of a block. It provides accurate data on number of room nights, reservations, and cancellations.Electronic Sales Tools

Socially Conscious Meeting Programs Available

Sustainable Meeting Packages available through your Catering/Convention Services Manager which feature local and organic menu creations

Meeting Set-up

Energy-Efficient Digital Signage

We utilize energy-efficient LCD signage that lowers energy consumption compared to traditional digital signage and reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Sustainable Meeting Supplies

Meeting supplies require materials, energy, and water to manufacture and transport. After use, their disposal can cause pollution and take up space in landfills.

• In our banquet department, we provide double-sided meeting pads, recyclable pens and mints with no wrappers for meeting delegates. All meeting supplies are set at a station, instead of individual settings to reduce waste

• In-house water filtration systems installed
  

White Board / Recycled Content Paper Flip Charts

Millions of pounds of white boards end up in landfills every year when they become unusable or worn. Waste deposited in landfills and incinerators directly and indirectly contributes to pollution and the depletion of natural resources.

• Meeting Rooms equipped with whiteboards are available upon availability. Flip charts provided are made of 75% post consumer recycled content.

China Service / Environmentally Preferred Disposable Products

Disposable food service supplies require materials, energy, and water to manufacture and transport. After use, their disposal can cause pollution and takes up space in landfills.

Biodegradable/compostable dinnerware reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources and minimizes pollution by reducing persistent waste volumes. Composted matter enriches the soil and reduces the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

• All dishes and cutlery used are re-usable
• To-go containers and bags are made of compostable materials

Condiments Served In Bulk

Serving condiments in individual packets creates both packaging and food waste.

• We have an opportunity to provide our meeting guests with condiments in bulk containers to help reduce wasteful packaging

Sustainable Banquet & Catering Menu Options

Organic farming integrates wild biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity and soil conservation, and eliminates the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agricultural practices.

• Our culinary department has access to local produce, sustainable seafood, fair trade and organic products. Our Executive Chef has prepared a full sustainable menu including breakfast, break, lunch, reception, and dinner options. Please click here to view our sustainable e-menus
• The culinary department also observes responsible food planning and purchasing practices to reduce waste and spoilage
• Meeting planners are presented with the option of using pitchers of water instead of bottled water

Meeting Space Recycling

We have created a comprehensive recycling program in both the heart of the house and front of the house areas of the hotel. All meeting rooms are equipped with recycling receptacles and later, all recycling is sorted to the appropriate stream by our trained hotel associates.

Meeting Services

Green Printing Services - Printers defaulted to double sided printing

Post Meeting

Meetings Impact Report is available through your Catering/Conventions Service Manager. This report will indicate the impact on the environment by conducting a sustainable meeting.
Key indicators to track the current environmental benefit of activities of sustainable meetings:

• Energy Savings
• Water Savings
• Waster Management, including reduction of waste sent to landfills through--Recycling (glass, paper, plastic, metal) and Environmental Savings; Composting; Material Selection and Reuse
• Sustainable Food Choices
• Volunteer Programs Offered
  
• Food Donation - Leftover food from banquet functions is donated to a local shelter
  

Green Transportation Services Information

Vehicle operation contributes to climate change and air quality problems through the emission of pollutants.

Public Transportation is available and easily accessible for guests and meeting delegates. Please see below for Green Transportation Options:

OC Transpo

Please click here to make travel plans using Ottawa's local public transportation

Http://www.octranspo1.com/trave1planner/trave1planner/

Allante Limousine - member of Green Ride Global

Green Ride Global implements industry leading environmental sustainability programs into ground transportation companies. All Green Ride Global member companies are operating inside of a robust Environmental Policy and Environmental Management system that is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% over the next 5 years.

Reservations can be made at the Concierge Desk in our main lobby or directly with Christy Merkley.

613-799-5466 - Christy Merkley, President