Green Meetings & Facilities

Green meetings are the future of a sustainable meetings and conventions industry. Let us connect you with local meeting services and eco-friendly venues that can support your goal of having a more environmentally conscious meeting or event in Toronto.

In the August 2006 issue of Meetings and Conventions Magazine, Toronto was listed as one of the greenest cities in North America. With excellent choices of green facilities, including the following, it’s easy to see why!

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), with its green roof, deep lake water-cooling system and comprehensive recycling program, is a signature host of environmentally friendly events. With over 600,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, the facility hosted the Construct Canada Exposition and Conference as well as the first-ever annual meeting outside the U.S. of the international Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Both citywide meetings were Zero Waste Events. Click here to learn more about their environmental initiatives.

From a distance, it’s easy to pick out Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. Just look for the 30-storey wind turbine, the first of its kind in North America and the first permanent turbine in the City of Toronto. It stands as one of the more visible examples of Direct Energy Centre and Exhibition Place’s commitment to reduce emissions and waste. The Centre is also involved in an 80% waste reduction process, green roof, urban forestry, recycling and hydrogen-powered transportation programs as well as the Direct Energy Innovation Centre, a permanent educational exhibit which explores energy use and the environment. They have over 1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space. Click here to learn more about their environmental initiatives.
  
When the doors of the new Toronto Congress Centre expansion officially opened in January 2008, the city of Toronto became home to one of the largest and most sustainable trade and convention facilities in North America. This major addition will double TCC’s current space to one million square feet, and position the centre as one of the greenest trade show facilities in the world.  Click here to see their environmental initiatives.

With its soaring windows, 20-foot exposed ceiling, second-level loft balcony and bamboo floor, the beautiful and environmentally-friendly facilities at The Richmond make it the ideal place for green meetings of a more intimate variety (up to 150 guests). Their commitment to a sustainable future includes Bullfrog Power, the use of bamboo, responsible environmental practice and the goal is to have zero landfill refuse at the end of every event.  Click here to see their environmental initiatives.

Also be sure to take in the Toronto Botanical Gardens, an array of 12 award-winning themed gardens spanning nearly four acres and meeting facilities for up to 300 guests. Here, a complete range of innovative indoor and outdoor learning experiences include garden tours, nature day camps, field trips and an extensive horticultural library. The buildings are as green as the gardens – the visitors centre is LEED Silver Certified with an energy-efficient sloping green roof and an award-winning ecologically conscious design, complete with rental facilities, garden shop and seasonal café.  Click here to see their environmental initiatives.

Tourism Toronto members offer a variety of green services to support your meetings and events.  Click here for a listing of our green members as well as awards we’ve won and stories about green Toronto.

Click here for information on green hotels, shopping, dining and things to do.

For tips on how to plan a green meeting, please visit the Green Meeting Industry Council’s Resource Centre

To offset your emissions from flights and energy use visit Carbon Zero, one of Canada’s leading offsetting organizations.
 
If you have questions about planning your next green meeting in Toronto, we’d be happy to assist! Please visit Contact Us for more details.