• emphasis was put on sustainable and local procurement.
• single-use items were limited.
• extra food was donated.
• water stations were provided for refi llable bottles, and glasses
were available.
In addition, the kitchen at the host venue—The Walper Hotel—
incorporates its own sustainability initiatives, including a waste-
separation recycling and compost program.
While the goal of conference organizers was to have a
carbon-neutral event, the greater measure of success was the
conversations it sparked. "The whole conference was a dialogue
between sponsors, vendors, attendees, planners and presenters,"
says Lowe. "One sustainable conference will not solve all of our
environmental problems, but now we've got a template for change."
Hosting the CanSPEP conference has changed planning and
initiatives at Explore Waterloo Region too. "We're now committed to
supporting sustainable business events and educating our venue
and hotel partners about changes they can incorporate," says
Eddings. "We plan to have a sustainability plan in place that aligns
with what our region is already doing. We are taking a position on
this, and we are passionate about it. For the good of our earth."
"There are a lot of great initiatives in Waterloo
Region, which is one reason that I love living
here. All the bike lanes that you're seeing, public
transportation and infrastructure is really important."
—Jennifer Lynes, Associate Professor, School of Environment,
Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo
"We've always been a bit of a more environmental
city. And I think with that, we have a lot of
businesses and organizations that can help out by
being more green."
—Chloe Kruis, Co-Founder, Ekko
"We've worked very hard and we still have more to
do, day to day, to try to be a zero-waste restaurant.
We might produce one garbage bag or two at most,
every month."
—Thompson Tran, Wooden Boat Food Company
"I would argue that we are the sustainability
innovation capital of Canada. A sustainable
transition requires innovation….And so our ethos in
Waterloo Region of innovation means that we are
primed and ready to be those leaders. Leverage that
and get to know people when you're here."
—Tova Davidson, Executive Director, Sustainable
Waterloo Region
"People are focusing and thinking about
[sustainability] now. And that's something that you
can expect to see when you hold your events here."
—Rick Knapp, General Manager, The Walper Hotel
"We make sure, in every situation that we can, that
we're sourcing as local as we can. The little steps
make a huge di erence. If we all just do our part and
do a little bit extra, at the end of the day, we can all
make a di erence."
—Nicole Hunt, Head Chef, The Walper Hotel
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Interested in planning a sustainable event in
Waterloo Region?
Let's chat!
Jennifer Eddings
Director of Sales
T: 519.585.7517 ext.210
E: jeddings@explorewaterloo.ca
explorewaterlooregion.com
Jennifer Eddings and Natalie Lowe discuss sustainable events
ION Rapid Transit Refi llable water station
Watch our Sustainability in
Waterloo video.
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