28 August 2008

Sustainability hits home at meeting venues

Almost three quarters of the UKÃ¢â¬â¢s hotels and meeting venues have adopted sustainability practices, according to latest data.

Of the 700 hotels and venues registered on a dedicated database, 74% have corporate social responsibility policies in place.

The Venue Sustainability Rating database run by venue finder Conference Care demonstrates venuesÃ¢â¬â¢ and hotelsÃ¢â¬â¢ CSR principles, policies and procedures covering elements including procurement policies, energy efficiency and contribution to the local community.

Participating properties include global hotels chains, independent UK properties, conference and training centres and unique venues.

While rate and location still take priority in the decision making process, it is becoming more common for CSR values to influence where meetings, training and events are held, according to the company.

Conference Care director Chris Peacock said: Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe are responding to demand from our clients to highlight the most sustainable venues; when sourcing and proposing venues we make sure that clients are aware if the venue has a rating and what it is.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœItÃ¢â¬â¢s interesting to see that clients are moving towards those venues with higher ratingsÃ¢â¬~.

by Phil Davies