Sustainable Events
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is committed to sustainability. From waste reduction to energy-efficient practices, small changes can make a big difference. Explore our top tips to host an environmentally-conscious event and best practices for exhibitors and clients.
Events
Hosting an event? Here's how you can help the MCC's sustainability efforts.
Venue & Transportation
- Choose Sustainable Venues: Select venues that prioritize sustainability, like MCC, which operates on 100% renewable electricity and diverts 60% of waste from landfills.
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Encourage direct flights to minimize emissions and promote eco-friendly transportation like light rail, biking and walking.
- Stay Close to the Action: Book accommodations near the MCC to reduce transportation impact.
Food & Waste Reduction
- Support Local & Sustainable Food: Choose seasonal, locally sourced menus. Limit food waste by ordering appropriate food amounts, and consider vegetarian or poultry options. Promote locally-owned restaurants over chain restaurants for client dinners and attendee free time.
- Utilize Water Bottle Stations in the Building: Encourage your team and visitors to bring their own reusable bottles rather than using single-use bottles.
- Recycle & Compost Everything You Can: Educate your team and attendees about tri-sort containers available at the event.
Materials & Event Swag
- Use Digital Instead of Print: Opt for digital signage and event materials to cut down on paper waste.
- Minimize or Rethink Event Swag & Gifts: Instead of plastic trinkets or one-time use items, consider digital resources, reusable swag or interactive experiences. Explore locally sourced gifts from women-, BIPOC- and LGBTQ+-owned businesses.
- Donate Leftover Items: Work with your Event Coordinator to donate excess materials to local organizations instead of throwing them away.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Attendee Engagement
- Incorporate CSR Initiatives: Engage attendees with meaningful CSR activities that support the local community. Your event coordinator can connect you with nonprofit partners for donation and volunteer opportunities.
- Educate & Engage Attendees: Share sustainability initiatives on your event website and materials to encourage participation and highlight your green initiatives.
Connect with Partners
- Offset Your Carbon Impact: Partner with Green Cities Accord to invest in carbon offset solutions that help balance your environmental footprint. For more information please contact your sales representative.
Exhibits
Here's how you can help the MCC's sustainability efforts.
Sustainable Booth Design
- Rethink Your Booth Design: Avoid carpeting or use a reusable material to cut down on waste. Many carpets are single-use and end up in landfills.
- Avoid Foam Core & Styrofoam: For signage and displays, choose recyclable or reusable materials like cardboard or fabric. Foam core and Styrofoam are not biodegradable and contribute to landfill waste.
- Turn Off Booth Electricity: Reduce unnecessary energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint by turning off booth lights, TVs, etc. at the end of each show day.
Waste Reduction & Recycling
- Rethink Booth Garbage Cans: Encourage visitors to use event-provided waste stations for proper sorting. Small trash bins lead to contamination of recycling and compost streams.
- Recycle & Compost Everything You Can: Educate your team and attendees about tri-sort containers available at the event. Proper sorting helps divert waste from landfills.
- Recycle Any Packaging or Save to Reuse: Reduce waste by reusing shipping materials for
future events. - Minimize or Rethink Giveaways to Attendees: Instead of plastic trinkets, consider digital resources, sustainable swag or interactive experiences. Most giveaways end up in the trash after the event.
Sustainable Resources & Materials
- Offer Digital Assets for Information: Use QR codes instead of printed brochures to reduce paper waste.
- Limit the Number of Items Shipped: Consolidate shipments and only bring what you truly need for your booth. Excess shipping contributes to emissions and packaging waste.
- Aim to be Plastic-Free: Reduce or eliminate single-use plastics at your booth.
- Utilize the Water Bottle Stations in the Building: Encourage your team and visitors to bring their own reusable bottles rather than using single-use bottles. Plastic bottles are one of the top waste items at events.
Community Impact
- Donate Leftover Items: Work with your Event Coordinator to donate excess items to local organizations instead of throwing them away.
Connect with Partners
- Offset Your Carbon Impact: Partner with Green Cities Accord to invest in carbon offset solutions that help balance your environmental footprint. For more information please contact us at SalesMCC@minneapolismn.gov.
