At the heart of the tech revolution is a desire to learn more efficient methods for accomplishing our goals. In the same vein of companies encouraging employees to work smarter, not harder, it is incumbent on organizations to make the best use of their resources.
Yes, sustainability encompasses our efforts to reduce our carbon footprints, but it’s meaning extends to a whole new way of thinking about resources and how we use them to do business. Meetings and events are meant to spark new ideas and inspire better practices to ensure long-lasting success. Even days together as an entire company are precious, which is why planners must make the most of them to demonstrate the value of an event.
Enter Greater Phoenix, an already proven winner at incubating creative thought processes that ultimately lead to a new generation of accomplishing goals. The region is at the center of a statewide boom that’s seen a 20% increase in tech-related jobs on the sustainability spectrum. Today, these early game changes are passing the torch to newcomers that range from renewable energy, electric vehicles, global semiconductors, material science and , of course, stewards of this land:
Known for its immersive and collaborative farm-to-table dinners in unexpected places, Cloth & Flame intentionally designed its experiences to foster connections — connection with the land, with others and with yourself. Having produced hundreds of events in unconventional spaces, this Sonoran Desert-based operation invites your attendees to escape the hustle and bustle of the meeting agenda, and the city, to enjoy a chef-prepared meal among wild landscapes and under stars. In terms of sustainability, Cloth & Flame pays to lease land for its community dinners, so areas that might otherwise be developed can act instead as a source of income for the landowner. In addition, 10% of every dinners' proceeds are donated to great coalitions that work to preserve migratory routes and wild places in our inimitable states.
A spectacular arena that is integrating ideals of Footprint, a locally based, plant-based fiber technology and material science company that’s creating a healthier planet by reducing dependency on single- and short-term-use plastics. With a goal of becoming a carbon-neutral and plastic-free venue, Footprint Center is seen as an innovation lab for the community, partners and visiting groups. And having hosted the NBA and WNBA Finals in the past year, there is no need to fret about the championship-level service events will receive.
Providing some of the most environmentally friendly transportation options in Greater Phoenix — including accessible and efficient rail transport from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to the convention center ($2) — Valley Metro Rail, bus, and vanpool prevented 248 million pounds of greenhouse gases and 9.8 million pounds of criteria air pollution from entering the earth’s atmosphere in fiscal year 2019. This is equivalent to taking over 23,000 cars off the road.
Holding itself to the highest standard of sustainability, because the future of Phoenix depends on it, the PCC has implemented thoughtful, green thinking and design to achieve its goal as a premiere meeting and event space that will withstand the environmental tests of the future. Initiatives include contributing over 41 tons of compost feeds plants in city parks, watering its living wall and garden using condensation from the HVAC system, purchasing 31,000 chairs made from recycled car batteries and seatbelts, recycling more than 460 tons of material each year, 732 solar panels which generate enough output to power 14 homes for a year.
City Council adopted eight 2050 environmental sustainability goals that articulate the community's desired long-term environmental outcomes that would fulfill the general plan aspirations of a sustainable desert city in the following areas: transportation, waste, water stewardship, building and land use, parks, reserves and open spaces, clean air, and local food systems.
