Green Meetings Initiative

The AMS community is deeply concerned with building a more sustainable future for our planet. As a Society, we are working to implement that vision in everything we do—so we are proud to announce our latest initiative, Green Meetings. 

AMS is building on current sustainable practices with our guidelines that govern how we conduct our meetings and scientific conferences, and what partners and venues we choose to work with.

What AMS is Doing–and What You Can Do

Over the last year, AMS has worked hard to implement green meetings initiatives at all specialty meetings. We are proud of the progress we have made to increase the sustainability of our meetings, and we look to build on the initiatives we have previously implemented. The initiatives listed below will be present at the 106th Annual Meeting and are standard for all AMS meetings. That includes providing eco-friendly options for you to improve your green footprint as a meeting attendee—we strongly encourage you to participate in these initiatives.

  • Increasing our vegetarian/pescetarian/vegan menu options
  • Working with venues to prioritize locally grown/sourced, plant-based meals with a low carbon footprint.
  • Collecting RSVPs for food events to provide the right amount of food and reduce waste.
  • No longer using aisle carpet in exhibit halls to reduce usage of single-use items.
  • Donation programs all furniture, decor, and giveaway items after an event.
  • Utilizing digital signage when possible.
  • Requesting AMS waste and donation data from all AMS meeting venues.
    • Trash, recycling, composting, etc.
  • Offsetting all staff travel by purchasing carbon offsets.
    • Green Meetings in Action: We will be offsetting over 30 mT from all 2025 staff travel by purchasing offsets from Bonneville Environmental Foundation upon the completion of the 2025 Specialty Meeting season.
      • That's equivalent to driving a car around the earth nearly 3 times!
  • Encouraging attendees to offset meeting travel by purchasing carbon offsets. 
    • Offset your travel by purchasing carbon offsets here.
  • Encouraging staff and attendees to use public transportation around Houston, like the METRORail and METRO.
  • Offering badge holder and lanyard recycling via boxes in the registration area.
  • Green Meetings in Action: We recycled over 13 pounds of badge holders and lanyards from our 2024 meetings.
  • Minimizing printed materials. 
    • Beginning this year, we will not be providing a printed program. Our Online Program will be available in October, the AMS2026 mobile app will be available in late December/early January, and a PDF version of the daily grids will be available on our website in January.
  • Printing on materials that are reusable, recyclable, eco-conscious, etc.
  • Continuing to offer a virtual attendance option for all meetings.
    • Green Meetings in Action: Our 500+ 104th Annual Meeting virtual attendees averted an estimated 360,000+ kg CO2e in travel-related emissions.
  • Using compostable or reusable tableware for meal events.
  • Conducting a site visit to explore sustainability in practice at each meeting venue.
Here’s how you can also take steps to reduce your carbon footprint while onsite with us in Houston:
  • Offset carbon emissions from travel
  • Use public transit
  • Bring a reusable water bottle
  • Recycle your badge holder and lanyard at registration
  • Attend the vegetarian reception
  • Join sessions virtually via the online program
  • Access the full agenda online
  • Enjoy one plant-based meal
  • Request housekeeping every other night

Sustainability and Houston

Houston, the Energy Capital of the World, has a number of environmentally conscious initiatives, projects and buildings. The city aims to be carbon neutral by 2050 as noted in the Houston Climate Action Plan. As the top municipal purchaser of green power, Houston sources approximately a quarter of its electricity from wind. Check out this comprehensive environmentally friendly visitors’ guide from VisitHouston to learn more about how you can reduce your carbon footprint while in the city. 

Click here for some information on attractions that have eco-conscious initiatives like the Houston Zoo or the Heritage Society.

Consider taking public transportation to get around Houston like a pro.

Want to support local businesses? Check out this sustainable shopping guide.

Sustainability at AMS Meeting Venues

George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) located in Downtown Houston has been committed to reducing environmental impacts and helping their clients meet their sustainability goals since 1998. By working with a number of organizations to waste headed to the landfill, implementing energy-saving strategies and expanding their recycling, composting and donation programs, the GRB is committed to reducing their overall carbon footprint. For more information, click here. 

  • Offering paper, trash, organics and plastic/aluminum recycling receptacles on site.
  • Compostable catering products and utensils that turn into soil after about 3 months.
  • Food scraps are composted and go to local farms to feed animals.
  • 39 refillable water stations throughout the building - see map here
  • Onsite garden and herb garden to provide fresh farm-table meals.
  • Lights Out Houston - dimming all non-essential lights during peak spring bird migration (approx April - early May).

The GRB collaborates with the following sustainability partners and programs to help clients and the building work towards their sustainability goals

  • Second Servings - Food donations
  • City of Houston Building Materials Reuse Warehouse - Excess building materials that are free to any non-profit organization
  • Magpies and Peacock - Textile and materials recycling
  • Houston Food Bank Teachers Aid Program - School and office supplies donations for low-income schools
  • Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStores - Furniture and home accessory donations

Certifications and Awards

The GRB is a LEED Gold certified facility! The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the GRB a gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a designation that recognizes highly efficient, green buildings in 2022.

Sustainability at AMS Hotels

Please view the below resources to discover how the AMS 106th Annual Meeting Accommodations are going green and practicing sustainability: