GREEN MEETINGS

Case study: Accor Group Hotel

Table of Content

Introduction4

What are green meetings?6

Background of the Study8

Implementation of Sustainable Building Practices9

Objectives of the study12

Chapter Two: Literature Review13

Transportation15

Accommodations17

Meeting Venue17

Food and Beverage18

AV and Exhibits20

Communications22

2009 Public Policy Workshop (PPW)23

Spring 2009 House of Delegates (HOD) Meeting24

Professional Development25

Go for the Green25

Chapter III Methodology28

Research Design28

Literature Search28

Key Words:29

Case study: Accor Group29

Company Profile29

Background and objectives29

Activities30

SWOT Analysis32

Strategic Planning for Future Market34

Analysis of Accor35

Lessons learned36

Chapter Four: Discussion38

Executive Summary38

Trends38

Economic Factors41

Policies42

Technology & Innovation44

Human Factors47

Legacy projects47

Environmental Impact48

Green Building Practices51

Chapter Five: Conclusion56

Limitations of the Study56

Conclusion56

References59

Chapter One: Introduction

Introduction

With concerns about the long-term viability of the environment looming, public and private organizations have recognized the need to incorporate green methodologies into their business practices. The U.S. Government in particular has taken impressive strides to become more environmentally conscious. These efforts are especially evident with respect to the buildings that it owns and occupies. However, the Government must take further strides to reduce the startling environmental impact attributable to these buildings. In the United States alone, buildings account for the consumption of sixty-eight percent of all electricity consumed, thirty-eight percent of carbon dioxide emissions, and twelve percent of water usage. Accordingly, as an influential global leader with the ability to promote worldwide environmental consciousness, the U.S. Government must make a concerted effort to reduce domestic building consumption.

Tourism is commonly recognized as one of the world's largest industries and continues to expand at a rapid rate (UNWTO 2006). Tourism development has been a profitable economic tool, making it an alluring industry and form of development for many countries and regions around the world. However, the benefits are also often accompanied by many negative effects that result in impacts, both of an environmental and social nature (leakage, noise, air and water pollution, degradation of natural resources, labour issues, encroachment and overbuilding. In 2006, the Canadian tourism industry accounted for two percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or $27.4 billion and 633,600 jobs (Canadian Tourism Commission 2008). These figures do not account for the indirect economic benefits that tourism has on the Canadian economy. The tourist hotel industry in Canada contributes significantly to these figures. As of 2004, there were 15,613 hotels in Canada with operating revenues of over Canadian $13 billion. This industry in Canada is significant, not only in terms of its positive economic impacts, but also in regards to its negative environmental and social impacts. The development and long term success of the tourism industry worldwide depends on a constant availability of natural and cultural resources. The appeal of a destination is based on the natural beauty and authenticity of these resources, yet these resources are also what is affected most by overexploitation and degradatio. As tourism is a resource intensive industry, this has resulted in a significant ecological footprint (Bohdanowicz 2005). Given tourism's significance to global and local economies and its impact on the natural environment, the need to implement environmental practices has come to the forefront of global issues. The business case for going green, or in other words being more committed to the environment, in ...