Tips on Hosting an Eco-Friendly Event at Marriott
Our overall temperature is reaching new heights. Climate scientists are predicting prolonged droughts, rising sea temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and more frequent occurrences of natural disasters. Species of plants and animals will lose their habitats, affecting our entire planet’s ecosystem.
As event planners, you can help to make a positive impact on climate change for your guests, clients, and the community.
In an effort to contribute to saving our planet, Marriott International, along with dedicated event planners, has been continuously joining hands with our clients and partner organizations to help tackle these issues step by step. By taking on some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental issues, we hope to do good in every direction within our business operations and help our clients to eco-friendly events.
Here are some tips on how to make your events greener at Marriott.
#1 Let Data Drive Your Decisions
Ever wonder the size of the carbon or water footprint caused by your event or business lodging?
At Marriott, we love seeing our guests and customers partnering with us in our sustainability efforts. Corporate event planners can request for property-level environmental data. By offering customized carbon and water footprint data with business travel buyers and meeting planners, they can assess and gain a better understanding of the impact of their stay with Marriott.
Request to have an environmental data report of your meeting or event. See where you’ve done well in your carbon and water footprint, and where you can improve in the future. Investigate further on our hotels’ sustainability goals at https://serve360.marriott.com/sustainable-goals/.
#2 Let Your Guests Join in on the Activities
CSR event restoring mangrove at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
CSR event restoring mangrove at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
CSR event restoring mangrove at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Marriott for Mangroves, Rivers and Reefs
Help conserve and rebuild nature by taking your team building or CSR events beyond the hotel.
Our associates from Thailand enjoyed a meaningful day out in the sun, planting new mangroves in Tub Pla, Phang Nga and protecting the shoreline as part of Marriott’s CSR initiative. Have your guests pitch in on protecting the local shoreline by cleaning up and restoring mangroves at your next event.
Coral nursery at The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi
Mini Artificial Reef Module to be returned to the ocean
Glue applied to an Artificial Reef Module to hold live coral fragments
Happen to hold an event for diving fanatics or marine lovers? The Coral Nursery at The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi is the hotel’s effort to rescue and rehabilitate coral reefs in the area.
Offer guests inspiring activities and join in on the conservation of a 6,000- to 8,000-year-old coral reef, from coral transplanting and coral clearing to a visit to an on-site marine life laboratory. Explore beauty and fragility on a guided coral reef walk with a resident marine biologist that takes guests on a fantastic learning opportunity.
Fiji Marriott team preparing for coral planting activity
Team from Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay coral planting
In partnership with the Fijian government’s Ministries for Fisheries, and Forest & Environment, Marriott International hotels in Fiji are working to promote sustainable fishing areas and restoration of reefs.
At Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji, guests can help regenerate coral reef to combat the threat of climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. The hotel is part of a giant clam reseeding program aimed at restocking the reef whilst educating on the importance of the species to our ecosystem.
On-site turtle shelter
Turtle release at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
Sea turtle released on Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
Sea Turtle Conservation
Taking your group to a seaside resort? Want to contribute to the conservation of marine animals?
At JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, an on-site turtle shelter, The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, is set up to ensure disabled or injured sea turtles are well-taken care of. The shelter serves as an important link to educate guests and raise awareness in marine protection.
Planners can arrange a Marine Turtle Education session for their guests and a tour for sea turtle viewing. It has been a popular activity among families and business groups.
#3 Green Transport
With corporate social responsibilities falling heavily on a meeting planners’ shoulders, many events planners are scratching their heads to come up with ways to further reduce the carbon footprint of their events.
Hire a hybrid or electric vehicle for your guests and let us take care of the rest. More than 100 electric vehicle charging stations are now available at Marriott properties in the Asia Pacific region.
#4 Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Paper cocktail straws at Sazerac Bar, Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane
Lemonade served with paper straws at an event in Renaissance Beijing Hotel
The Straw War
Marriott properties worldwide no longer provide plastic straws and instead replace them with more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Like all of our hotel restaurants and bars, Sazerac Bar at Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane, Brisbane’s highest bar, has also hopped on the #SkipTheStraw movement and phased out disposable plastic straws and stirrers.
If paper straws are a little too ordinary, get creative and take inspiration from our team at Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach, try using bamboo as straws and cups. Who needs plastic when there are such flavourful options!
Get Pumped for the Planet
Marriott International announced that it’s expanding an ongoing initiative to replace single-use toiletry bottles with larger, pump-topped bottles.
The 2018 initiative has successfully put an end to tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel at around 1,000 North American properties. The latest announcement is to see most other hotels under Marriott International make the switch by the end of 2020.
#5 Designed by Nature to be Green
Bamboo artwork in the lobby, Element by Westin Bali Ubud
Executive suite, Element Kuala Lumpur
Naturally lit meeting room, Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town
Bikes for guests to explore nearby areas, Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town
Indoor saline pool
Designed green, built green, and functions green, the Element Hotels by Westin’s spaces and buildings are constructed with as many recycled materials as possible—even the art pieces and room decor!
Element Hotels is also one of the first hotel brands to pursue LEED certification for high-performance buildings brand-wide. Walk into any Element Hotel, and event planners will find warm natural light, open spaces and everything green for both one-day events and extended stays.
Business travelers who are looking for solutions to minimize their trip’s carbon footprint and help alleviate climate change at the same time will find everything they need at Element Hotels. Book a stay, and you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows that boost natural sunlight every morning you wake up. Unwind and soak in one of the hotel’s saline pools, a healthier and more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine. Lend a bike from the hotel, work out and explore the city at the same time!
Let’s Plan Your Next Green Event Together!
Contact us today and let us help find creative ways to make your next event greener.
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