Lille Grand PalaisBiarritz Tourisme, Bordeaux Convention and Exhibition CentreONLY LYON: last year, all these players in the MICE sector in France obtained the AFNOR ISO 20121 certification. The Nantes and Saint-Nazaire Convention Bureau is launching the year 2023 by obtaining this key label, which testifies to the environmental commitment of the local events industry. " We are delighted with this certification, which underpins the strategy and drive to transform the industry that has been underway for the past two years." said Nicolas Debon, Managing Director of Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement.
At a time when demand from organisers for environmentally-friendly business events is " increasingly strong "According to Nicolas Debon, in 2020 the Atlantic metropolis initiated a programme ofsupporting change in the events industry through training and raising awareness of CSR issues among local players, whether they be event venues, hotels and caterers or agencies and other service providers.
ISO 20121 certification is now the reward for these efforts, and is part of the Group's "sustainable development" strategy. a global approach to the destination on sustainable tourism" explained the Managing Director of Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement. The Convention Bureau has made this its priority for the coming years, and is looking forward to further recognition of this strategy, including the Sustainable Innovative Destination label. Nantes Saint-Nazaire also intends to improve its position in the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
To take things further, in the first half of 2023 the Convention Bureau will be launching a trial scheme. "life-size "The aim is to identify sources of food waste and the main sources of carbon emissions at professional events. The aim is to identify the sources of food waste and the main sources of CO2 emissions at professional events, so that by 2024 we can roll out a "food waste management system". action plan to limit them.
Although Nantes Saint Nazaire tourism is now involving all the players in the events sector in this movement, the involvement of certain players goes back much further. For several years now, the Cité des Congrès in Nantes has been a leader in its field. in France. The venue has been awarded numerous certifications and labels, including ISO 20121 - as of 2017 - and the France Congrès Quality and Sustainable Development Charter. It is even the only French convention centre, and one of only 30 in the world, to have been awarded the AIPC (Association Internationale des Palais des Congrès) Quality Standards Gold level. A 'green' DNA symbolised by the use of a green energy at 100%The new building will be equipped with an energy-efficient heating system, efficient fluid management and controlled water consumption, low-energy light bulbs, easy access for people with reduced mobility and selective sorting, with 33 % of waste recycled (2021).
