Reduced Waste Conference Program

From your initial conversation with us, you’ll be introduced to our strong commitment to environmental responsibility. This includes a local farm map and an overview of our green initiatives, highlighting our efforts to reduce waste through recyclable or reusable materials, conserve energy and water in event operations, and source locally grown, seasonal, and organic ingredients. We also prioritize partnerships with environmentally conscious vendors. For all qualified groups of 30 or more attendees, post-event sustainability reporting is included to further support meeting planners in achieving their sustainability goals.

“As a conference planner I can 100% attest to the importance of having a comprehensive sustainability report from our host venues. The sustainability scorecard provided by Portola Hotel & Spa was in a word, perfect. It provides all the top line information we would tediously collect on our own. Not only that, but it is in a format that is easily shareable with our Greening Committee and other sustainability stakeholders. Thank you for the actual performance toward goals and for providing a tool we can put to immediate use.”

Florence Torres, Conference Consultant, CRRA

Pre-Event

• Menus are designed with food waste prevention in mind
• Shared menu planning with concurrent groups reduces overproduction and kitchen labor
• Clients receive Conference Guidelines via e-signature for seamless digital planning

During Your Event

• Screen-based agendas and signage reduce paper usage
• Pre-poured water service is limited for events under 100 guests to conserve resources

Post-Event Reporting

Within 10 days, you’ll receive a custom Sustainability Report with metrics including:

• Carbon Emissions Avoided through smart lighting and energy conservation
• Gallons of Water Saved by avoiding unnecessary pre-pour setups
• Pounds of Food Saved by accurate portion planning
• Recycled & Composted Waste diverted from landfills
• Locally Sourced & Plant-Based Food data to demonstrate climate-friendly choices
• Sustainable Seafood Metrics aligned with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® recommendations

Green Meeting Standards

• No single-use plastics, paper cups, or bottled water
• Reusable silverware, china, and linenless tables standard across venues
• Separate compost, recycling, and waste stations at all events
• Donated wine corks support local children’s museums

Our culinary team works closely with local farms and purveyors to provide:

• Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
• Plant-forward menu options to reduce your event’s carbon footprint
• Sustainable seafood that meets nationally recognized standards

All sourcing and food waste data is integrated into your final Sustainability Report, giving your organization tangible results to share with stakeholders.