Small Changes, Big Impact
Written By:
March 18, 2026
Keywords:
The Challenge:
Sustainable events are not new to the association space, nor to the events industry as a whole. For many years, we’ve discussed and explored ways to reduce waste and make more responsible and ethical decisions when it comes to association conferences. The problem is that, often, those changes need two things: focus and resources to support different choices…and associations often have neither. So how do we leverage our AMC expertise and passion for building the future of sustainable events with our clients without budget (or time) and without adding one more thing for busy volunteers to think about?
The Process:
We called it “stealth sustainability.” Starting in 2023, the AMR Education and Events Department reviewed, evaluated, and iteratively implemented sustainable event practices that support waste reduction (and often cost reduction!), sustainable sourcing, and recycling within the processes and systems we already use to plan events. Simple changes, like eliminating all bottled water and using only water stations, reducing or eliminating beef on event menus, working with venues (in our existing pre-planning meetings) to plan ahead for recycling and food rescue, and eliminating disposable coffee cups for breaks, don’t cost anything extra and (for the most part) they don’t take away from the attendee experience. We focused on small changes first, to build momentum and demonstrate success, and then, at the end of 2025 rolled out conversations with each of our clients about ways to broaden the impact at their events.
The Results:
Many clients have responded with interest in other, more advanced and visible sustainability steps that they likely would have been hesitant to take without our measured approach. By stepping forward thoughtfully and leveraging our department’s collective creativity, we have created more sustainable events and triggered interest and momentum that wasn’t there before. Across the AMR client spring conferences in 2026, we are projecting to:
– Save 3,483,000 gallons of water(!) through reduced beef consumption
– Eliminate over 10,000 paper and disposable coffee cups
– Eliminate the use of nearly 3,500 plastic water bottles
This how seemingly small changes create big impact – #helpingassociationschangetheworld!
Degrees and Credentials:
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP); Bachelor of Arts, Transylvania University
Association Management Professional Since:
2007
What inspires you about your work?
I have a passion for the world of professional associations and the essential support, resources and connections they provide for members. I am an adult learning and meeting design nerd –I am continually inspired by the chance to design face-to-face meetings and innovate content strategy with new techniques, technologies and ideas.
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