Host a Sustainable Event in Minneapolis

Events

Exhibitors

Events

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.

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.

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.

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.

Offset Your Carbon Impact: Partner with Green Cities Accord to invest in carbon offset solutions that help balance your environmental footprint.

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.

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.

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.

Donate Leftover Items: Work with your Event Coordinator to donate excess items to local organizations instead of throwing them away.

Offset Your Carbon Impact: Partner with Green Cities Accord to invest in carbon offset solutions that help balance your environmental footprint.