The following is an excerpt from Boston Green Tourism's concept paper on greening a city's convention and lodging industries. The paper's author Dan Ruben points out the many economic benefits for the agencies running conventions, for lodging, and for the cities hosting green-minded conventions:

Besides access to nature, beauty and outdoor recreation, what is meant by a green convention and tourism destination?

Green convention and tourism customers value the following characteristics in facilities and services:

• facilities that reduce fossil use through energy efficiency, energy conservation, and use of renewable energy,
• transportation alternatives that are energy efficient and have low emissions,
• water use efficiency,
• solid waste reduction and recycling,
• healthy indoor air quality and minimization of toxic substances,
• local and organic food, and
• consumer education about the environment.

By demonstrating such environmentally responsible practices in the following areas, Boston would improve its position to attract environmentally-minded conventions and tourists.

• Convention Centers (The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, World Trade Center, Hynes Convention Center, and Bayside Expo Center): Adopt more environmentally sound practices and publicize their environmental programs on their websites and in their literature. Link and here for two examples.
• Lodging Facilities: Become recognized as environmentally-preferred lodging facilities. There are several options for demonstrating a facility’s merits:
• Certification programs: EPA’s Energy Star program; LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings; Green Seal; Audubon Green Leaf Program; and Green Globe 21.
• Setting and meeting standards: California’s Green Lodging Program; Florida’s Green Lodging Certification Program; Vermont’s Green Hotels Initiative; and Ceres Green Hotel Initiative.
• Examples of describing environmental achievements: Fairmount Hotels; The Lennox Hotel.
• Transportation: Publicize Boston as a destination where visitors do not need cars. Demonstrate how visitors can get to their destinations by mass transit or walking. Offer hybrid vehicle rental options and access to tours that use low emission vehicles.
• Restaurants and Caterers: Restaurants can become environmentally-preferred through certification (Link) or by setting and meeting their own standards (see San Diego Natural Pages, which lists restaurants that are certified green, and those offering organic and vegetarian food). Caterers that offer local and organic food could be highlighted, too.
• Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau: Communicate how the Boston area is a green destination. Help environmentally-minded visitors select green facilities and services. Market Boston’s advances to organizations requiring green conventions.
• Other: Cruise ships, bus tour operators, visitor offices and golf courses (pdf) could also distinguish themselves by becoming certified or establishing and meeting their own standards. Event planners could demonstrate their ability to meet green guidelines.

What are the advantages of enhancing Greater Boston’s status as a green convention and tourism destination? Distinguishing Boston as a green convention and tourism destination can boost Boston’s economy, strengthen its image, improve its environment, and benefit the community.

a. economic impact

By greening Boston’s convention industry, convention marketers will have a much stronger appeal to organizations that demand environmentally sustainable business practices. Addendum 1 lists a few of the organizations that require environmental best practices at their conventions and meetings.

Since the average “attendee to a high-end convention or trade show spends more than $300 a day,” such business is very lucrative. Each three day convention of slightly more than 1,000 people brings in $1 million into the city’s economy. A convention the size of the U.S. Green Building Council Conference would earn more than $9 million.

Some convention centers already tout their environmental attributes, including Portland’s Oregon Convention Center, Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center, and San Francisco’s Moscone Center. By greening our own convention centers, and the services that support convention-goers, Boston could be positioned to compete successfully with these facilities.

The costs for implementing environmentally-friendly practices at convention centers may be offset by reduced utility and waste hauling bills. Seattle’s Washington State Convention and Trade Centre’s energy efficient lighting initiative saves almost $200,000 per year. San Francisco’s Moscone Center cut hauling costs by $500,000 per year since implementing a recycling and donation program in 1998.

In addition to convention business, Boston could derive greater economic benefits from ecotourism...

To read the entire concept paper, click here.