Top 5 Reasons to Book a Sustainable Meeting in Monterey County Sustainable meetings are the latest buzz in the meetings industry— and for good reason. Reducing your carbon footprint while pursuing business goals is the best possible form of multitasking you can do. In Monterey County, sustainable meetings aren’t just a fad -they’re how we do business.
1. T he hotels in Monterey County are a treasure trove of environmental sustainability. If you’re looking for an environmentally-conscious place for your team to stay, Monterey County has got you covered. Its hotels are outfitted with biodegradable and locally sourced products and collaborate with a number of green organizations, including LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the Monterey Regional Waste Management District, and Compost Coalition program — and many more. Many of these hotels have more than 60% diversion rates, meaning that more than 60% of the waste that could have been dumped into a landfill is instead recycled.
2. You won’t have to worry about your personal carbon footprint. The hotels in Monterey County focus plenty of resources on saving energy. They use occupancy sensors and efficient lighting, as well as electric vehicle charging stations. Water conservation, too, is a focus: The hotels install water-saving appliances and many of them use ozone and greywater systems. There is also a strong focus on plastic reduction, and many items are locally sourced, organic, and packaged in bulk.
3. LEED® certifications are everywhere. There are a number of hotels in Monterey County that currently hold a LEED® Certification, and many like Monterey Conference Center, who are in the process of becoming LEED® certified. These properties are at the top of their game in terms of being eco-conscious. The Portola Hotel & Spa, for example, features an Ozone laundry system that generates its own electricity, and it participates in the local food scrap and composting program. At the Asilomar Conference Grounds, guests can be confident that three-quarters of the water used for maintenance operations is recycled.
4. There are a variety of outdoor activities. Team-building activities can — and should — be environmentally friendly. Monterey County offers a variety of scenic locales and activities. If you’re looking for a marine-themed activity, Adventures by the Sea can help you explore the Monterey Bay by kayak. You can cut down on fuel emissions by renting bike rentals along the Recreation Trail, and don’t forget the guided hikes at Point Lobos.
5. There are an abundance of green organizations to partner up with. In addition to utilizing sustainable services during your meeting, your group can partner up with local client services to give back to the environment and foster a sense of community. Your team can do a shoreline cleanup with Save Our Shores, or partner with Pass It On Please, a group that recycles and reuses the surplus inventory/goodie bags from your event. Instead of ending up in a landfill, excess items from your meeting will be redirected to schools and nonprofits.
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