As more organizations transition toward environmentally conscious practices to reduce the carbon footprint of events, many venues are incorporating sustainability into offerings in a variety of ways. The first LEED-certified hotel in central California, Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay in Monterey launched a Reduced Waste Conference Program this year, which was developed in collaboration with Monterey-based sustainability consulting firm Blue Strike Environmental.
“Sustainability has always been a guiding principle at Portola Hotel & Spa,” says Janine Chicourrat, managing director of Portola Hotel & Spa. “We were the first LEED-certified hotel in central California and have continuously looked for ways to improve. Over time, we noticed more meeting planners were asking how to make their events more environmentally responsible. We saw an opportunity to formalize our efforts into a comprehensive program that supports planners in reaching their sustainability goals with measurable results and without sacrificing service or experience.”
Key features of the new program include the elimination of single-use plastics when possible, implementing energy and water-efficient practices, using reusable service ware, sourcing seasonal and organic ingredients from area farms, and partnering with environmentally conscious vendors and suppliers. Paper waste is further reduced by a digital-first planning process, and qualified groups of 30 or more are given a custom Sustainability Report after their event that highlights key metrics, including water and food saved, carbon emissions avoided, waste diverted from landfills, and insights on plant-based sourcing and sustainable seafood used for meals, which is aligned with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines.
“Many organizations are making sustainability a core part of their values and operations,” Chicourrat says. “Events are an extension of that. Planners are being asked to reduce environmental impact, meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benchmarks, and still deliver high-quality experiences. Our program makes it easier to do that, offering support and transparency throughout the planning process.”
The collaboration with Blue Strike Environmental arose out of Portola Hotel & Spa’s goal to partner with an organization that shares its commitment to actionable sustainability. “Blue Strike Environmental brought a strong reputation and the expertise needed to help us create a structured program with measurable outcomes for groups hosting conferences, meetings, and events at our property,” Chicourrat says. “The collaboration allowed us to offer planners clear reporting and practical solutions that align with evolving ESG expectations.”
The AAA Four-Diamond hotel has 379 guest rooms and is located adjacent to the Monterey Conference Center, offering 60,000 square feet of flexible indoor event space and nearly 60,000 square feet of outdoor space combined with the conference center. Venues include two renovated ballrooms, an outdoor plaza, a historic garden, and on-site restaurant Jacks Monterey.
“Monterey is a destination defined by its natural surroundings, and at Portola we see ourselves as stewards of that environment,” Chicourrat says. “The Reduced Waste Conference Program is a reflection of our continued investment in responsible hospitality. It provides a meaningful way for planners to align their events with their values and contribute to lasting change in how meetings are executed.
