Instead of plugging in a typical plastic flash drive to your computer, try an Eco Flash in a cherry wood finish. These wooden bits of technology are sure to spark a conversation about the greener aspects of your company and promote a fun product at the same time.

Replace your old cups (especially Styrofoam ones) and writing utensils with biodegradable corn products. There are many stylish and practically priced cups and lids that are made from 100% biodegradable lactic acid that has been extracted from corn. The same can be said about Corn Pens, and eco click paper pens which are made from recycled paper and corn derived bio-plastic. You can also give your meetings some color with enviro-mood pencils which change color from the heat of your hands.

If you have the environmentally friendly writing utensils, you need the environmentally friendly notebooks. We recommend Recycled Terra Notebooks which come in combinations of 4 fun colors and are made from 100% recycled cardboard, 30% recycled journal paper, and have 100 pages complete with the recycle symbol in the corner. Buy enough for the whole company for under $5.00.

Another enjoyable green product is anti-bacterial hand sanitizer that keeps your hands and the environment clean at the same time. Available in 1 oz bottles or individual packets, both the sanitizer itself and the trendy packaging are safe for the environment.

1. Determine the environmental policy you plan to implement then put it into writing. Get funding from the meetings host organization then share the policy with suppliers and speakers who will most likely be eager to help you go green.
2. Use the media to cut back on paper use. Create a conference website, advertise on the web, and offer electronic registration.
3. Choose a central location. Find a host city that is close to as many attendees as possible and a venue that is close to where they will be staying.
4. Make sure the venues you use have recycling policies and facilities available.
5. Use bulk dispensers for condiments and salt and pepper instead of individually packaged items.
6. Pick a hotel that offers linen reuse programs and bulk dispensers for shampoos and soaps.
7. Offer vegetarian meals and serve meals that use local seasonal produce.
8. Use environmentally friendly products such as recycled paper, cups made from corn, and vegetable based inks.
9. Be sure lights and air conditioning units are turned off when rooms are not in use.
10. Calculate the money and energy you save by implementing environmentally friendly policies. Chances are, you’ll never return to your old traditional ways.

Telephone, satellite and internet conferencing options have truly made the world we live in smaller and more accessible.  It makes reasonable sense to take advantage of the most up-to- date options possible.  While the hassle of coordinating and attending meetings and conventions can be inconvenient, the logistics of putting them into action can be costly.  Think of all the expenses an internet or telephone conference makes completely unnecessary.  Air travel is pricier than ever and your transportation budget does not end there.  Cabs and rental cars don’t come cheap, even if only used for short periods of time.  While hotel rooms can be reserved in blocks to cut down on total cost, not having to book one at all makes clearly the most fiscal sense.  Most importantly, meetings that take advantage of new age concepts and communication options help to preserve out natural resources by limiting the use of energy required to move people from city to city and by cutting down on the trash and waste that’s a byproduct of large gatherings.  Such innovation and forward thinking helps to ensure the long term health of planet Earth, while having a positive effect on your bottom line as well.

If you’re going to send invitations to the party, there are hundreds of websites offering free e-cards.  Not only will you save paper, you’ll save money too.  Socializr, Purpletrail, and Evite all offer a variety of free cards and invitations with sound, pictures and animations.  If you’ve got friends or relatives who don’t go online very often, look for cards made from recycled material.

Another way to go green is with your plates and utensils.  Americans throw away unbelievable amounts of paper and plastic tableware every year.  If you’re hosting a small event, try to use washable items that can be used.  But, if it’s a big event and you have to go disposable, there are plenty of products made with recycled material.  And as always, make sure to recycle everything you can.  As simple as it is to throw something away in a different bin, sadly, many people won’t walk ten feet out of their way to dispose of trash in a recycling bin.  Make sure to set the bin right beside the trashcan with each one clearly marked so there are no excuses for unnecessary waste.

A final way to keep with the green trend is the food and drink you purchase.  Buying local, organic products helps local farmers and also reduces the CO2 emissions released in the transportation of goods from far away.  Even better, you don’t have to worry about the harmful effects that pesticides might be having on your body.

A Green Hotel is an eco-friendly lodging option, providing services that save water, save energy and limit the solid waste they produce.  As a business owner or corporate event planner, you can do your part to help preserve our planet by recommending that out of town clients and guests stay at Green Hotel.  It may help to research Green Hotels in the area and provide a list for incoming travelers long before they would have to finalize any plans.  If you are putting on a conference or large gathering, consider scheduling the actual event at a Green Hotel as well.  These are not small hippie villages in the woods; they are fully modern hotels usually complete with same upscale amenities and sizeable banquet halls.  This will ensure that any trash accumulated at such an event will be collected and disposed of in the most responsible way possible.  Recommending and booking in the same hotel will also provide increased convenience and accessibility for travelers.  A full list of Green Hotel members is kept by the Green Hotels Association and is readily available online.

Going green can be a financial benefit, even for hotel owners, as a lot of the environmentally conscious programs they institute actually save money.  For a relatively small membership fee, the Green Hotel Association will recommend a wide array of tips and suggestions that will not only help Mother Nature but may help your hotel as well.

Don’t forget to carpool, even when you are out of town.  If you have to attend a meeting in a far away location, chances are you won’t be the only company representative.  If you are renting a vehicle, go in on the same car with a coworker, the more the merrier.  Not only does it cut down on air pollutants, it also cuts down on your cost.  Do the math, 2 people in 1 car means you only pay half the price.  If you decide to take a cab around town instead, make sure you don’t hail one down just for you.  Splitting a cab can be a great way to meet new people or get to know office acquaintances, ensuring you won’t be stuck at dinner by yourself.

Also, be sure to select a hotel in a location that cuts down on your total commute time.  Just like you wouldn’t buy a dirt cheap house that is an inconvenient distance from your job, don’t get stingy on your hotel reservation and book a cheaper room all the way across town.  Not only do you run the risk of running late or getting caught in unfamiliar traffic patterns, the extra miles you will be on the road will still hit you in the wallet in the form of cab fares and gas money.  Instead, try to stay as close as possible, for your own benefit and the environment’s.