Media Contact:
Theresa R. Davis
tdavis@mpiweb.org
+1.972.702.3044
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MPI Provides Suppliers Free Access to Sustainability Tool
New resource enhances planning, reporting, compliance for meeting professionals
Sept.22, 2011–Meeting Professionals International (MPI) now provides free access to its Sustainability Event
Measurement Tool (SEMT) to supplier organizations, a value for companies looking to proactively reach CSRminded planners. Suppliers who upload their information to the system become part of the database event
organizers around the world can search when determining the sustainability standards of venues.
“As an industry, we have a responsibility to design events that positively affect economic, social and
environmental outcomes,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI president and CEO. “Our members consider
sustainability measurement an essential part of the meeting performance management process, and now
suppliers have access to this valuable tool. Their inclusion will contribute to the aggregate data MPI collects
in an effort to continually benchmark progress in CSR initiatives within our industry.”
The SEMT features include:
 Simplified user levels (basic and advanced)
 Planning questions informed by industry standards (APEX/ASTM, BS8901/ISO 20121 and the Global
Reporting Initiative)
 Improved graphical report generating and export capabilities
 Measurement and reporting of an events water, waste, energy, paper, food and community impacts
 Conversion and calculation of carbon emissions using international standards and datasets
 Integration with other measurement systems such as IHG Green Engage
The SEMT, which launched in 2010, was developed by the Triple Bottom Line Alliance with a founding
investment through the MPI Foundation by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and guided by MPI’s CSR
advisory council with members from Oracle, the United Nations, IHG and Microsoft and in collaboration with
the Green Meeting industry Council (GMIC).
“Companies are increasing their focus on sustainability compliance in procurement, said Paul Salinger,
President of the GMIC and VP of Oracle Corporation. “Meeting professionals now have a tool based on
global standards to measure and report on the environment and sustainability impacts (ESI). This saves
time, reduces reputational risks and increases sustainability.”
In addition to free access to the SEMT for members, MPI provides content including case studies, articles,
books and videos online through the Corporate Social Responsibility Content Portal. For access to the SEMT,
visit www.mpi.sustainableeventtool.com.
-endAbout MPI: Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meeting and event industry’s largest and most vibrant global community, helps our
members thrive by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. MPI membership is comprised of more
than 23,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. For additional information, visit mpiweb.org.
About IHG:
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Media Contact:
Theresa R. Davis
tdavis@mpiweb.org
+1.972.702.3044
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases
or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 645,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world.
The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne
Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the
world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 48 million members worldwide.
- IHG has 1,400 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and
Wales.
- IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards
program at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media
About TBLA:
This tool is developed by the Triple Bottom Line Alliance for MPI. TBLA is a unique collaboration of sustainability professionals who have synergized
their individual talents to create and implement best in class measurement tools
Together the three partners are meeting industry pioneers and leaders in CSR, Sustainability and measurement, Meet Green, MCI and the Carbon
Consultancy. Their unique partnership and track record for developing sustainable strategies and solutions for the meetings and travel industries is
highly respectable, consulting and supporting some of the leading Global Climate Change and CSR initiatives including the United Nations Global
Compact, COP15, Business Social Responsibility (BSR), US Green Building Council, the European Wind Energy Association, World Business Summit on
Climate Change. Their measurement tools are used globally in the meetings and travel sector.
MeetGreen®
Hotel Carbon index , GreenGlobe Index
Carbon Web 2.0 Tools (for TMC, GDS and government usage)
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