PORTLAND, OREGON – Meeting Strategies Worldwide won the Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award given by the International Hotels Environment Initiative and Oceans Blue. This award acknowledges environmental excellence and innovation and represents the highest accolades for environmental responsibility among meeting planners and hosts. Presented at the IMEX Worldwide Exposition at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany the award recognizes organizations that are leading the way in this dynamic industry, earning distinction as the best in their field.

The judging process for the Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award was evaluated by an independent environmental auditor who assessed environmental criteria and practices. The criteria included minimizing environmental impact through energy efficiency, air and water quality, water conservation, waste management, waste minimization, and environmental purchasing. Other factors considered were economic indicators, commitment to change practices, commitment to the community, and commitment to conservation.

The Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award was presented to Meeting Strategies Worldwide for the 2002 Forest Leadership Forum held in April 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Sponsored by the Certified Forest Products Council and the World Wildlife Fund, the conference was one of the greenest ever achieved for its size in the United States at the time. In addition, it raised awareness, changed business practices, educated venues, vendors and attendees, and spawned entrepreneurial partnerships. Most importantly, it helped to prove that environmental stewardship and economic responsibility can be mutually beneficial.

Meeting Strategies Worldwide, a Portland-based woman owned company is a full service conference management, training and consulting firm recognized internationally as a leader in environmentally responsible meetings. "We not only have a responsibility to be environmentally conscious, we have an extraordinary opportunity to make a substantial difference. Practicing environmentally responsible planning is the way we do business. We are proud to be recognized for our work on an international level." said company principal Amy Spatrisano, CMP, who accepted the award in Frankfurt. For more information regarding Meeting Strategies Worldwide visit www.meetingstrategiesworldwide.com, or call 503-252-5458.

Meeting Strategies Worldwide

Meeting Strategies Worldwide

Based in Portland, Oregon in the United States, Meeting Strategies Worldwide Meeting Strategies Worldwide is an award-winning, environmental firm that specializes in the meetings industry. They provide leading edge organizations with event management, consulting and training services to produce sustainable meetings, conferences and events. The company was founded in 1994 and embraced environmental responsibility as a core value and defining specialty. Since then Meeting Strategies Worldwide has positioned itself as the leading firm for developing and implementing sustainable meeting practices. Our mission is to provide world-class conference experiences by creating lasting relationships with our clients, embracing innovative ways of doing business and using the Earth's resources wisely. It is also our mission is to expand environmental practices into the meetings and hospitality industry so that sustainability becomes a standard business policy. Making a difference. One meeting at a time.

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