When you think of green host cities for a conference or meeting, who do you think of? Denver? San Francisco? Vancouver?
Add Indianapolis to that list.
I see your skeptical eyebrow, but it’s true! Indianapolis offers sustainability infrastructure that rivals other cities better known for being green.
Full disclosure: I’m based in Indianapolis, and I love this little Midwestern gem. Everything I’m about to share is fueled by my love of the city, but it’s also based on my real experiences helping events in Indy achieve incredible sustainability results.
Here are 5 reasons why Indianapolis is a green destination for meetings, conferences and events:
1. Extensive Zero Waste Infrastructure
When it comes to options to keep waste out of the landfill, Indy checks all the boxes:
- Broad recycling program
- Commercial compost haulers & processing facility
- Donation recipients with well-established processes to accept surplus food, floral arrangements, event supplies, and more
- Local nonprofit with extensive experience upcycling vinyl banners
If your event generates waste, Indy has a way to keep that waste out of the landfill and put it to good use, as I’ve shown with my dramatic waste diversion results from Indy events.
2. Centrally Located
On average, 90% of an event’s carbon emissions comes from travel, according to carbon offset provider Terrapass. Indy’s airport welcomes flights from 41 nonstop destinations, which reduces additional emissions from connecting flights. One-third of the U.S. population lives within 500 miles of Indianapolis, and more than half the population lives with a day’s drive. Indy is also located at the hub of multiple interstate highways, making lower-carbon travel by car practical.
3. Car-Free Meetings
Downtown Indy is famously walkable and features a network of skywalks that connect downtown hotels, businesses, and the convention center, so it’s easy to access multiple venues without ever getting in a car. For guests who want to explore beyond the city center, Indy offers easy bike rentals through the Pacers Bike Share plus short-term electric car rentals through Blue Indy stations. Indy’s Cultural Trail provides a safe & scenic path for walking and biking throughout downtown and beyond.
4. Abundant Local Food
Located in the heart of an agricultural region, Indianapolis offers a wide variety of locally-produced foods throughout the seasons. Local farms and businesses produce everything from fruits and veggies to meat and dairy to specialty snacks. Farm-to-table foods are a key component of Indy’s burgeoning restaurant scene, which has been highlighted by Zagat and Condé Nast, among others.
5. Help Putting It All Together
Indianapolis has one other thing that’s totally unique from any other city — me! Regardless of your venue, industry, organization, or budget level, I help meeting planners put the pieces together to create a sustainability program that’s a good fit for them. While I work outside of Indy as well, I use my special hometown knowledge of Indianapolis to make sure your program is a success, and I even measure it all so you can easily share your results.
The next time you’re brainstorming green meeting destinations for an environmentally-conscious client, remember to put Indianapolis on your list—you might be surprised by what the city can help you achieve!
Booking in Indy? I’ll connect your event with the right partners to put your event’s supplies, food, and waste to good use. See what we can do >>