A major step towards the goal of raising awareness for sustainable management in the event industry.

"Green Meetings" are not just an effective tool against climate change but also a serious competition factor. In order to raise awareness in the meeting, convention and event industry and recommend best practices the German Convention Bureau (GCB), European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) and the Association of German Event Organisers (VDVO) have agreed to co-operate with Green Globe Certification (GGC).

All GCB, EVVC and VDVO members will benefit from the agreement and enjoy price benefits thanks to reduced auditor fees.

The agreement centres on the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification Standard that evaluates the ecological, social and economic development of businesses according to scientifically approved 41 criteria and 337 indicators. Criteria specifically related to events businesses are extracted from the Green Globe Standard. To receive the Green Globe certificate meeting, convention and event organisers must meet at least 51 per cent of these criteria and have the result confirmed by an independent auditor.

Under the new agreement GCB, EVVC and VDVO want to offer their members the certification system as part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy. In return, Green Globe Certification will offer help and advice – for example by recommending sustainable practices, offering training for the correct recording of key indicators and effective communication of Sustainability achievements.

"We started thinking about the topic of sustainability and ecologically responsible behaviour in the event industry at an early stage," points out Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the GCB. "There exists no comprehensive sustainability standard for our industry so far; hence specific add-on criteria need to be developed and resulting best practice structures certified. This co-operation is another major step towards the goal of promoting sustainable management in the event industry. We expect Green Globe Certification to provide a valuable contribution to advancing the concept of green meetings & events and dedicated support for our members, so that they can effectively realise the future potential of sustainability."

Above all, the GCB and EVVC continue to set innovative trends in sustainability. The two bodies will also organise the green meetings and events conference in Mainz on 1 and 2 March 2011.

"This event and the co-operation with Green Globe Certification will give us a strength and public impact that we rarely had in the past," says EVVC President Joachim König with conviction. "The major players of the event industry - EVVC, GCB and VDVO - can now jointly reach the majority of the industry and therefore offer pragmatic recommendations beyond association boundaries while triggering processes for sustainable management."

The dynamism that is now gathering steam is also being very positively received in the industry. "In our opinion it is important and right that the three biggest lobby groups of our industry are jointly agreeing on a uniform standard," says VDVO board member Till Runte. "This will enable us to evaluate much better whether we need to make national or industry-specific adjustments in the field of sustainable green meetings. Together we are strong."

Guido Bauer, CEO Green Globe Certification, also points out that the ideal partners have joined forces in this case: "We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking co-operation. The Green Globe Standard for Meetings is the most widely recognised certification for sustainable meetings in the world. The co-operation with the GCB, EVVC and VDVO is a major factor for achieving ambitious climate protection goals in the meeting and convention industry."