Chicago, IL — Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has introduced a 10-step green meeting program for its properties and is encouraging planners and attendees to take the pledge by offering a limited-time 3 percent rebate on their master bill.

Hyatt (NYSE: H) launched is program in July with a colorful, interactive microsite at www.hyattmeetings.com that contains meeting planning tips, online tools and the company's 10-point "Meet and Be Green" commitment.


Under the program, customers promise to:

1. Plan ahead for the meeting to make it easier and more economical to keep the meeting green
2. Recycle during the meeting
3. Print materials locally
4. Minimize shipping
5. Rather than setting materials at every seat, place meeting materials, such as handouts, notepads, pens, etc., in a central location so attendees can take as needed
6. Eliminate disposable water bottles
7. Minimize use of other disposable products such as plates, cups, napkins, and utensils
8. Maintain room temperatures at an appropriate level
9. Select locally grown seasonal foods when planning the menu
10. Use products with 100 percent recycled content

In addition to offering advice on reducing the environmental impact of meetings and conferences, Hyatt vividly illustrates what not to do in a series of humorous videos called "When Meetings Go Awry."

The short videos cover problems with gift bags (pictured right), food, A/V equipment, double booking and using rooms for formal meetings that are next to a noisy lounge.

Hyatt's offer of a 3 percent rebate applies to customers at full-service properties in North America who book meetings and conferences by December 30 and stage them by March 31, 2011.

Starwood (NYSE: HOT) rolled out a green meeting program for its North American properties in June and said the practices will go global next year.

Images courtesy of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.