ConferenceDirect Produces Second Carbon Neutral Event in Partnership with Travel Portland

FOLSOM, CA — ConferenceDirect is proud to announce the successful execution of its second carbon neutral Annual Partner Meeting, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable event practices. Held in partnership with Travel Portland, this milestone event marks another meaningful step toward a greener future.

As a global leader in meeting and event solutions, ConferenceDirect embraces the urgent need to reduce its environmental impact. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global framework adopted in 2015 to promote peace, prosperity, and sustainability for people and the planet.

In support of these goals, ConferenceDirect has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030, reinforcing its role as a responsible industry leader dedicated to driving positive changes across the meetings and events landscape.

“We’re proud to have achieved carbon neutrality for our 2025 Annual Partner Meeting, our largest and most impactful event of the year,” said Larry Hanson, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer of ConferenceDirect. “This milestone reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and the incredible collaboration between our team and partners who helped make it possible.”

The 2025 Annual Partner Meeting was held from March 16-20, 2025, at Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. With 955 attendees and a total of 2,452 room nights, this event demonstrated ConferenceDirect’s ability to host large-scale, impactful gatherings while maintaining a strong focus on environmental responsibility.

To achieve carbon neutrality, ConferenceDirect implemented a variety of sustainable practices throughout the event planning and execution stages.

Key measures included:

• Planning Guidelines: Lead planners followed the planning guidelines established by the Events Industry Council for their Sustainable Events Standards Certification.
• Carbon Offsetting: Offsetting all emissions generated by the event through verified carbon offset projects. Carbon offsets were purchased through Evertreen, resulting in the planting of a total of 6,900 trees in Brazil, Cambodia and Congo of behalf of ConferenceDirect since 2024. This effort is aimed at offsetting the CO2 emissions produced by the Annual Partner Meeting. Carbon purchases were certified via Verra. To see more details on this please go to: https://www.evertreen.com/forest/6690fb6a9e835
• Resource Efficiency: ConferenceDirect reduced waste by minimizing the use of single-use plastics and implementing comprehensive recycling programs.
• Eco-Friendly Materials: ConferenceDirect utilized sustainable materials for event signage, badges, and promotional items.

ConferenceDirect extends its gratitude to Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia Marriott Downtown who also supported this event.

Looking ahead, ConferenceDirect remains committed to its sustainability goals, continuously seeking innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint and promote environmental responsibility across all its events. By aligning with the SDGs, ConferenceDirect aims to create lasting positive impacts on both the industry and the planet.

For more information about ConferenceDirect’s sustainability initiatives and upcoming events, please visit: https://conferencedirect.com/customers/green-meetings/

About ConferenceDirect
ConferenceDirect, headquartered in Folsom, California, is a full-service global meetings solution company. Our diverse portfolio of services includes Virtual/Hybrid Meetings, Site Selection & Contract Negotiation, Conference Management, Housing & Registration Services, Event Technology, Strategic Meetings Management Programs, Incentive Programs, Cruise Services, Experience Design, Green Meetings, Vendor Management, and Marketing Support. With over 450 associates managing more than 13,000 meetings, conferences, and events for over 4400 customers, ConferenceDirect is committed to delivering innovative and professional solutions. For more information, visit conferencedirect.com.