Sustainability

To maximize, the value of attending in person, ASTC has prioritized the selection and curation of sessions and experiences at conference that take full advantage of the ability to come together physically.

This includes selecting learning sessions that promise interactivity, exchange, and co-creation that benefit from being in the same space.

It also includes thoughtful planning for the networking, informal, and social events that maximize the ability of our community to come together and connect, which is an important goal of the conference.

Chicago is an increasingly green city with a commitment to becoming a model environmental community in how it manages energy, air, water and waste.

• The city’s central location is within driving distance of much of the United States and Canada, allowing individuals from many of our members to carpool.
• The Chicago Department of Aviation—which runs O’Hare and Midway International Airports—is a leader in efforts to improve natural resource conservation, operational efficiency, social responsibility, and economic viability. This includes everything from green construction to green roofs, green concessions, to the first major on-airport apiary and a grazing herd to maintain dense scrub vegetation. (Learn more)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, offering more than 1,000 flights per day on almost 50 airlines, providing nonstop service to 160 U.S. cities and 63 international destinations on six continents, minimizing the need for connecting flights.
• Midway International Airport offers more than 230 daily flights on seven airlines to 74 U.S. cities and 11 international destinations.
• Both O’Hare and Midway International Airports have direct connections to the Chicago Transit Authority, which offers frequent, inexpensive service throughout the region, including to McCormick Place.
• The McCormick Place Convention Center and conference hotels are located adjacent to public transportation.
• Driving your electric car? Charge it up at the onsite chargers at McCormick Place, the Hyatt Regency, and throughout the city.

Learn more the City of Chicago’s commitment to environment and sustainability.

These are among the many actions that ASTC is taking to minimize the environmental footprint of the conference:

• Encouraging registrants to take advantage of a voluntary planetary health “offset” to support sustainability in the Chicago area.
• Because many conference events will be held in a small geographic area, conference buses will be available only when traveling to more distant locations. Instead, participants are encouraged to walk or take public transportation. (Note that transportation will still be available to those with mobility issues.)
• Minimize the use of paper, including encouraging use of the conference app instead of a full conference program.
• Any printed materials will make use of recycled and sustainable materials where possible. This includes the use of recycled materials for badges, badge holders, and lanyards wherever possible. We will also provide opportunities to deposit these materials on site for reuse or recycling at the conclusion of the conference.
• Minimize the use of carpets in the Exhibit Hall.
• Avoid single-use disposable items to the extent possible (e.g., provide water stations to refill your water bottle rather than single-use bottles).

ASTC is working with McCormick Place to minimize the environmental impact of the ASTC Annual Conference.

Here are just some of the steps that the convention center takes to minimize its environmental impact, including the following:

Energy Conservation:

• 100% of the energy used at McCormick Place is offset by the purchase of renewable energy credits, including from nearby wind farms.
• A recent project to install LED lighting through the campus will result in a 12% reduction in the facility’s carbon footprint.

Waste Reduction:

• Single stream recycling bins are located throughout the facility, including next to all landfill bins.
• All food and beverage disposable service ware is compostable, and compost bins are located throughout.
• All office paper is 100% post-consumer recycled content.
• All toilet and tissue paper are at least 30% post-consumer content.
• Excess food is donated to local food charities.

Air Handling:

• McCormick Place is installing hospital grade MERV-13 filters that capture airborne viruses and bacteria from coughs and sneezes.
• McCormick Place is a 100% smoke-free environment, and smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance, door, or window.
• Minimize the use of motorized forklifts, sky lifts, carts, and more—and increased use of low-emission, hybrid, and electric vehicles.
• At loading docks, enforcement of a no-idling policy.

Other Sustainability Efforts:

• The green roof on the West Building measures approximately 150,000 square feet, and is one of the city’s largest.
• McCormick Place has a half-acre Rooftop Garden which yields more than 8,000 pounds of seasonal, farm-fresh produce every year and allows some food to be harvested at the time of need.
• High-efficiency water fixtures are used throughout including in restrooms, public areas, and back-of-house.
• Use of environmentally preferable and sustainable practices for snow removal.

Learn more about  McCormick Place’s sustainability program.

McCormick Place and ASTC are taking a number of steps to increase the sustainability of food and beverage at ASTC 2024, including the following:

• All food and beverage disposable service is compostable.
• When it occurs, any excess food is donated to local nonprofit organizations that serve those who are food insecure.
• The SAVOR Grind 2 Energy program grinds food waste on site so that it can be converted into an energy-rich slurry for anaerobic digestion and methane extraction for energy production and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
• ASTC will work with the caterers to craft a menu that maximizes sustainability, including consideration of the carbon cost of items.

ASTC will work with vendors to maximize the use of recycled and sustainable materials—and to promote reuse and recycling of materials after the conference wherever possible.