We caught up with two Green Tourism award-holders to learn more about their sustainability improvement journeys and their experience of the programme.
We hope that sharing their insights helps you – whether you’re a member of Green Tourism or Green Meetings (or both) – especially on the importance of the process and the assessment framework to focus your improvement initiatives.
Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre: assessment planning pays back with Gold
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre joined the Green Meetings programme in January 2022. A year later they submitted for assessment. Led by Director of Sales, Krishna Pastakia, the sustainability team needed drive and dedication, diligently working through each of the assessment criteria to focus and guide their improvement activities. Thanks to the depth of their preparation, they achieved a Gold award on their first assessment.
Since initiating the work, the team has already:
• Removed all single-use plastics from their operations
• Proactively engaged event delegates to promote the use of public transport to and from the hotel
• Switched to exclusively use refillable toiletries in bathrooms
• Exclusively sourced coffee from a supplier with a strong payback initiative
In April 2024, the team’s ongoing dedication to sustainable and eco-friendly practices was rewarded as the Hotel and Conference Centre submitted for re-assessment and retained their Gold Green Meetings award.
Krishna says: “The award has empowered us to communicate our sustainability commitment. The assessment criteria is an invaluable guide in helping us prioritise and plan our improvement initiatives.”
The British Motor Museum: committed to constant improvement
The British Motor Museum Conference Centre joined Green Meetings in 2022 and achieved a Bronze award at the first attempt. But better was to come for the Birmingham venue. With a focus from the team led by Head of Operations, Andrea Bruneau, and using the assessment criteria as a guide, the Conference Centre advanced to Silver in its next assessment in 2023.
In February 2024 the Museum added a Green Tourism accolade but the sustainability team is looking to build on both awards.
So far, the Museum and Conference Centre has introduced a range of sustainable practices including:
• Implemented a Responsible Delegate and Visitor Charter
• Prioritised local food and beverage suppliers
• Banned all single-use plastics from the museum café
• Sourced site electricity from renewable sources
Andrea comments: “The British Motor Museum is proud to be associated with Green Tourism and Green Meetings. Their help and support enabled us to embark on what initially appeared to be an overwhelming journey. Today we are excited to continue improving our sustainability practices and look forward to continuing to work with Green Tourism to achieve Gold accreditation level.”
With both businesses committed to ongoing improvement, we continue supporting their progress. We’re sure they’ll be celebrating further award successes in the future.
