Cvent

Although defending the value of meetings has been on the forefront of many planners' minds lately, it's important to not let other issues in the industry fall by the wayside. Green meetings, for example, should remain a top priority . After all, aside from helping they environment, they can save money on your meetings, too.

The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) is giving you a chance to get involved in developing accepted industry practices for green meetings. Its City Discussion Groups (CDGs), similar to town hall meetings, invite participants to review and comment on the recommendations of the APEX Green Meetings and Events Practices Panel.

In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ASTM International, APEX works to establish green meeting standards. As part of its efforts, APEX has nine volunteer-based committees that review green standards and compile a baseline of accepted practices. Committees range in scope from Accommodations to Transportation.

The CDGs kick off March 16 with meetings in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Vancouver, Portland and San Diego. Chicago, Gainesville, Fla., Louisville, Ky., Baltimore, and Seattle are among the meeting locations to follow.

Registration is free. For those interested, visit the APEX website to learn more and register for an upcoming CDG.