A user's guide to certifications, resources and what they all mean.

A new hotel proclaims it's LEED-Silver certified. Fantastic. Now what does that actually mean for you and your group once your meeting is on site? Here is Successful Meetings' guide to the primary environmental certifications as well as meetings-related resources and what you need to know about them.

LEED
www.usgbc.org

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a third-party certification program. It covers new builds, major renovations, and existing buildings, as well as other projects such as retail spaces, homes, and healthcare facilities.

A new build or major renovation is evaluated on factors such as indoor air quality, water efficiency, and materials and resources and is issued a particular number of points for meeting certain criteria. Public transportation access, for example, earns six points; using low-emitting paints earns one point; and optimizing energy performance can earn between one and 19 points. Depending on the number of points received, the project can be awarded a Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59), Gold (60-79), or Platinum (80+) designation.

The LEED website offers detailed case studies and project profiles of select endeavors, which explain how and why properties such as the Orchard Garden Hotel in San Diego received its certification.

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org

Green Seal certifies products and services (more than 3,600 in 286 categories), including construction materials, food-service packaging, and industrial and household cleaners.

The name is likely recognizable from announcements that a property has switched to using Green Seal- certified cleaning products as part of its ongoing efforts, but it also certifies lodging properties themselves. The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center in Portland, OR—always a standout for its sustainability programs—is Green Seal-certified, as is the Hyatt Regency Washington DC, and all 10 of the Great Wolf Lodge properties. Certified products, services, and properties are subject to ongoing compliance monitoring.

Green Seal also partners with destinations to supplement efforts within a specific area. It began working with the Los Angeles City Council in December on the Los Angeles Green Business Certification Program to help patrons identify green business and assist the businesses in adopting environmentally friendly initiatives.

Green Globe
www.greenglobe.com

Green Globe offers certifications for attractions, events, venues, hotels, resorts, conference centers, spas, destination management companies, tour operators, and a variety of other categories. Certification is weighted heavily on initiatives related to energy and the environment (70 percent), followed by corporate social responsibility (20 percent) and conservation (10 percent).

The program came out of the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, at which 182 heads of state endorsed sustainable development principles; Green Globe grew out of that spirit and offers a carbon calculator, offset programs, consulting services, and benchmarking programs in addition to its certification program. Green Globe is also a partner in the Los Angeles Green Business Certification Program.

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
www.auduboninternational.org

The Audubon program is open to private, public, municipal, nine-hole, resort, PGA, and residential community courses. It covers environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management, and outreach and education. In terms of the attendee experience, perhaps the most noticeable of these will be the wildlife and habitat management, which often ensures that golfers will play past native species they might otherwise not have seen.

There are currently 800 certified courses, including many that are prime meetings and incentive destinations, such as the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, AZ, the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa in Jupiter, FL, and the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. Recertification is required every two years.

Florida Green Lodging Program
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging

Florida is ahead of the pack when it comes to green programs. A state effort, coordinated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program recognizes properties that have made great strides in preserving the area's natural resources.

As of mid-January, 615 properties have earned the designation, which is based on communication and education; waste reduction, reuse, and recycling; water conservation and energy efficiency; indoor air quality; and transportation. Once earned, the Green Lodging certification is valid for three years. The DEP website also offers an extensive Green Meetings page with downloadable checklists.

Originally published March 1, 2010

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