​Sustainability at the conference

​We are committed to hosting a conference that incorporates, and promotes, sustainable practices. This commitment starts with our choice of the conference location as we attempt to select venues that minimize carbon expenditures for the majority of attendees while providing diverse and interesting environments and amenities. For those opposed to long-distance travel, we move the conference annually so it is in close proximity to a new group each year and the meeting will have a 2-3 day virtual component happening one month earlier than the in-person meeting for those unable to, or who choose not to attend in-person. During the in-person conference, we strive to reduce waste and carbon expenditures.

What we are doing

• ​Facilitating ride sharing - check out our ride share google sheet to find or offer rides to/from the conference. Note that information posted to this spreadsheet is publicly available.
• No bags, no bling - several years ago we committed to reducing waste by not handing out bags full of paper fliers and other items that most attendees immediately discard.
• No printed programs - we ceased offering printed programs many years ago to reduce paper waste. This saves on the order of 150,000 pages per conference! You will have the option of printing out portions or the entirety of the program from the online program if you wish, or better to make use of the online program and personal itinerary builder.
• No plastic bottles - we strive to reduce plastic bottle waste during the conference by offering water and other refreshments in large dispenser containers
• Reusable cutlery and dishes - the convention center will be using reusable or recyclable dishes for all coffee breaks and appetizers.  If lunch-box meals are ordered, these are required to be fully recyclable containers.
  
• No plastic badges - we will be using paper name badges to avoid waste associated with the plastic name badge holders used in the past.
• Eating better - we have increased the relative representation of quality vegetarian over meat options at our catered events.

​What you can do

• Travel smart - you can reduce your carbon expenditure by traveling by train or bus to the conference, or car/vanpool (check out our ride sharing google sheet to find or offer rides).
  
• Bring a cup/water bottle- the largest amount of waste that we cannot control is the use of disposable plastic cups during breaks and receptions - bring a cup or water bottle for your liquids!  The convention center has bottle-fill water fountains.
• Bring your own lanyard - we have reduced the badge waste as much as we can by providing paper badges and biodegradable holders, but you can help us do more by providing your own lanyard. A necklace with a single clip for the badge will work fine (badges have a single hole in the middle and are printed on both sides). 
• Walk and ride - The Classic Center is within walking distance of the hotel blocks, with easy access to downtown dining.