Slated to go live at managed and franchised Marriott brands at the end of October, “Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events” is designed to help planners prioritize sustainability in their events by offering access to a meeting impact report post-event and carbon-offset add-ons. The impact reports detail the environmental effects of specific events, including data points like property-specific sustainability practices implemented, carbon and water footprints, and more.
“There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much better,” says Erika Alexander, chief global officer for global operations at Marriott International, in a prepared statement. “With the ‘Connect Responsibly’ program, we are giving our meetings and events customers options to better understand the impacts of their meetings as we collectively strive to create a more resilient future for travel.”
The carbon-offset projects will be offered in partnership with South Pole, a carbon asset developer and climate consultancy based in Zurich, Switzerland. Meetings customers can use South Pole’s online shop to choose from a range of options, such as purchasing carbon credits (a permit that allows companies to offset their carbon emissions).
“Meetings and events are important business for Marriott,” adds Tammy Routh, senior vice president of global sales at Marriott International. “Our customers are eager to participate in sustainability efforts. ‘Connect Responsibly’ expands ongoing initiatives and strengthens our efforts focused on sustainability in hospitality. We are excited to build on our sustainability reporting capabilities to provide our meetings and events customers with detailed meeting impact reports and offer access to a select portfolio of verified carbon off-set projects through our collaboration with South Pole.”